Chapter 1: Jack and Phryne: The Excuse

As the days following New Year's Eve stretched into weeks, both Phryne and Jack were restless. Each of them wishing for an excuse to see the other, but each of them feeling like perhaps they had imagined more than they should have about their New Year's Eve encounter, and each too stubborn and too afraid to venture beyond the professional, although they would never admit it.

Jack had never wished for a murder more than he did over the next several weeks. Thinking these thoughts should cause him to be ashamed of himself, but thinking of seeing Miss Fisher doing what they do best together, he couldn't stir up much shame. Instead, anticipation flowing through him, he wonders if Phryne is feeling the same way. His heart rate increasing and his lips burning with the memory of her kisses, he muses over the details of their last outside of work encounter. His blue eyes glinting with purpose, he decides he must come up with a plan to see her.

Phryne sitting at the kitchen table having tea with Mr. Butler and Dot, wondering when there would be another murder so she has an excuse to follow her Detective Inspector around Melbourne, is feeling very annoyed with being a lady and the constraints of society's rules. She hates that propriety doesn't allow her to call on Jack for no reason except the pleasure of his company, and she knows her noble sleuth will likely not call on her without a very good reason. Her deep blue eyes narrowing in concentration, she determines she has to come up with a plan to see him. The play of emotions across Miss Fisher's face is not lost on Dot or Mr. Butler and they share a look of concern both knowing Miss Fisher has not been the same since New Year's Eve.

As if hearing both of their thoughts, fate presents an opportunity to Detective Inspector Jack Robinson that very afternoon. Jack in his office doing paperwork, hears voices in the outer office. He can hear Constable Collins talking with a female voice, and then the Constable knocks on his door. "Enter" says Jack and the head of his faithful constable comes around the door. "Sir, there is a young lady here who has been unable to reach her mother in GlenRowan. She has no way to get there, and she is wondering if we could help?" Collins waits respectfully while the Inspector thinks. His spirits rising, trying to keep from looking too pleased, he says very seriously, "It is our job to help the good people of Melbourne when we can Constable, please get the particulars." As Collins leaves his office a plan is forming in Jack's mind. He picks up the telephone, smiling his half smile, his stomach swooping in anticipation.

Phryne hears the phone ringing as she is stepping from her bath. She hears Mr. Butler pick up the call. "One moment Inspector, I will get her." Phryne heart thudding in her chest quickly pulls on a robe just as Mr. Butler discreetly knocks on her door. "Miss, he says cheerfully, the Inspector is on the telephone for you." "Thank you Mr. B" Phryne says, carefully hiding her elation as she opens her door and pads down the stairs to the phone. She takes a moment to steady her voice; otherwise she is sure Jack will hear the tremor in it, "Hello Jack", using her most confident tone. "How can I be of service to City South's finest?"

She can hear the grin he must have on his face in his reply "Good morning Miss Fisher. Are you able to come by the station to discuss a case?' Phryne's eyes dilating with excitement replies "Certainly Inspector, I will be there shortly with some of Mr. Butler's cottage pie for lunch, and some of Dot's biscuits as well." Jack, his mouth watering at the thought of the delicious lunch that he knows will be arriving, rings off. Mr. Butler's cuisine is a definite improvement over his own cooking skills. He is a passable tea and toast maker, but cooking for one is never appealing, so Jack considers this a good omen for the case fate has delivered to his door step. His stomach growls and he smiles again, anticipation licking his insides.

Phryne arrives at the station with Dot in tow, carrying a basket from which the yummiest smells are emanating. Leaving Dot with Constable Collins, she gracefully moves through the office toward the inspector's door. She dressed with extra care and her black silk day dress is simple and elegant. She covered it with a delightfully luscious paisley duster in shades of yellow, red and sky blue. Her red cloche is perched jauntily on her head and she hopes that Jack appreciates her efforts even though she sternly tells herself that she only dresses to please herself, not Detective Inspector Jack Robinson; not any man! Phryne reaches the door and taps on it. "Enter" calls Jack. When Phryne comes through the door, Jack's jaw nearly drops he is so taken by her beauty, but he recovers himself quickly. "Come in Miss Fisher" he says politely, businesslike. Phryne breezes over to his desk and sits the basket on its wooden surface. "Lunch, Jack" she quips and begins to unpack the basket, laying out a perfect picnic for the two of them. She sinks into the chair across the desk from him and encourages him to eat. He is looking thinner than usual, and she knows he hasn't been eating much. After all, he hasn't been to her house for dinner in weeks, so he's not benefitting from Mr. Butler's hearty meals and leftovers or Dot's biscuits.

As Jack tucks into his food, savoring each bite, Phryne's patience, never to be tested successfully, is stretched very thin. She barely touches her food. She can't help herself "Do we have murder to investigate Inspector?", she asks as she pops a bite of cottage pie into her exquisitely painted mouth, drawing Jack's gaze to her lips in the process. Jack swallows reflexively, his Adam's apple prominent over the starched collar of his shirt. "No Miss Fisher, there is no murder to investigate." Phryne's eyes widen in surprise and she allows her grin to turn quite cheeky as she responds, "Well then inspector, you should have told me you just wanted some of Mr. Butler's cooking, and I could have sent Dot to make the delivery." Jack locking eyes with her says, "It isn't Mr. Butler's cooking that I hanker for, although it is quite tasty. Please give Mr. B my regards and thanks." Jack wanting to draw out this moment to tease Phryne, takes a moment to pour some water into his glass before carefully returning his gaze to hers. Phryne taps her foot impatiently.

"There is a case that just came in this morning and as Jack tells Phryne the story of the young woman, her mind begins to race. This case will take them out of Melbourne. They will need to travel undercover. Phryne's eyes shining with delight says "Inspector, are you asking me to go away with you?" Jack chokes on his third biscuit. Leave it to Phryne to jump straight to the point. "Well, Miss Fisher, it has been some time since we had an investigation, and I wouldn't want your skills to get rusty" he said with his blue eyes upon hears and his expression purposefully bland. Phryne bristling good naturedly at this comment, knowing he was teasing her, plays along. "Your concern for my skill maintenance is very gallant, Jack." She quips in her most professional tone. They grin at each other and begin making the arrangements. They will travel in the Hispano Suiza, taking Dot and Hugh along with them. They will travel to GlenRowan the following morning.

As Phryne gets up to leave, Jack comments on not bringing too much luggage and his hope that perhaps there will be opportunity for them to hone their many skills. Phryne raises her chin and quickly moves to the door. "Duly noted, Inspector" she says with the turn of her head which causes her thick black bob to swing and brush her cheeks with its softness, causing Jack's heart to beat a little faster, she leaves Jack's office. She can barely contain her excitement as she fills Constable Collins and Dot in on the plan. Phryne and Dottie leave the City South station deep in conversation about all they have to do to be ready for the trip. Phryne is practically skipping with joy. The flimsy excuse for the trip is not lost on her. Even though she prefers murder investigations she is grateful that something, anything, came along to bring Jack into her life yet again. She misses him dreadfully and has stopped herself calling him too many times to count. Now she has several days to bask in his presence, matching wits with him, participating in their verbal repartee. She smiles broadly, wickedly thinking about some of the things she wants to discuss with Inspector Jack Robinson. Jack is equally thrilled by the turn of events. He knows Phryne will be occupied the entire rest of the day and night preparing to leave. Why did women need so much stuff he wondered? He will be able to pack his extra suit, pajamas, and a couple of casual outfits for tramping around the countryside, shaving gear and his boots in a relatively small valise.