'Dear Jack,
If you are reading this, then you have had the good sense to seek out Mr Butler's counsel on some urgent or important matter. I have enclosed with this letter £500 for you to use in any way you wish. If I were there with you, I would help in any way I could, but since I am not, maybe these funds can assist in my stead. Please do not take offence, and accept my gift for what it is. Money cannot solve problems, Jack, but sometimes it can help ease the burden.
I have given Mr Butler strict instructions to empty the envelope the night before my return so that I am unaware of whether or not you chose to use it. All money left will be distributed amongst a variety of charities Mr B is aware of so that attention is not drawn to the donations either. After today, you, Mr Butler and I will not speak of this matter again.
Please do not let pride interfere with any help I can provide without being there in person.
Your
Phryne'
Jack's stomach dropped. He reread the letter three times before he let out the breath he didn't realise he was holding.
On hearing his sigh, Mr Butler turned around and sat down again.
"It is your choice Sir" he said. "If you will refuse whatever is in the envelope, I am to distribute it over the next few weeks so as to not arouse suspicion or acclaim".
The inspectors mind was swirling - My Phryne? So much money! With this kind of money, maybe he could follow her to England... My Phryne? But he couldn't possibly accept the money, it wasn't the right thing to do... My Phryne? If she were here he wouldn't need her help, so she would be helping to solve the problem she created... My Phryne.
Sensing his inner turmoil, Mr Butler asked again in a gentle voice "Do you love her Sir?"
"Yes." Jack replied without realising it. He looked up, shocked that he had voiced his innermost feelings, feelings he hadn't really admitted to himself - and voiced them to her butler, no less! He groaned and hung his head in his arms on the table. Could he really blame the hangover for this?
"Right then," Mr Butler said, standing up again, "you go home and pack your suitcase, and I'll make all the travel arrangements." He said it so matter-of-factly that Jack started to rise, automatically doing what he was told without thinking.
"What?!"
Mr Butler smiled. "I presume you will want to go after her Inspector. I am familiar with her travel plans and have a few contacts of my own. I am sure we can arrange for you to meet up in London in no time at all. I'll use the money she has left for you to book your passage as soon as possible. In the mean time, you need to pack your belongings and organise some time off work... Given the hours you seem to spend working, I presume you have some time owing to you?"
It took a minute for what Mr B was saying to sink in. Jack wasn't used to other people taking charge for him. Oh sure, Miss Fisher pushed her way in all the time, but secretly he knew it was only because he let her. Even in the beginning, he was more curious about her detecting abilities.
But now, here was Mr Butler taking charge of the situation. Jack knew he had extensive military experience and could see him as a very effective authority figure. Given his current state, Jack knew he needed help.
"Er.. Yes," repliedJack, "I haven't taken any leave for the past 10 years. And lately when I've tried, Miss Fisher has managed to find work for me to do." He said with a wry smile.
"Yes," agreed Mr Butler, "she does seem to attract...the need for your professional services...".
It was settled. Mr B would make all the arrangements while Jack tidied up at the office and at home. Jack would return to Miss Fisher's house later in the afternoon to go through the travel plans.
As Jack sat in his office making notes on his open cases he wondered how he was going to tell the commissioner. He couldn't admit the real reason he was taking leave. When he finished the last case and tidied his desk, he could put it off no longer. 'Am I really doing this?' he thought. He was anxious and excited at the same time.
He rang the number for the commissioner and took a deep breath.
"Good afternoon Sir, Detective Inspector Robinson here... I need to take a leave of absence to attend to an urgent personal matter in London. I will require all of my saved leave as I do not know how long it will take... Senior Sergeant Collins is across all of my cases and he will be back from his honeymoon next week. I have left notes for my replacement... No sir, I believe Miss Fisher is off flying around the world on a trip with her father, so she won't be a bother to anyone while I'm gone... Yes Sir... I will return at the earliest convenience... Thank-you Sir".
He hung up the phone and breathed. That was almost too easy. He allowed himself a little smirk at the question about Miss Fisher causing havoc to his replacement, and thought he covered that well, without gaining suspicion.
He checked the time and headed home to pack.
He found his small, old, battered suitcase and wondered if it would last the journey. It would have to do. On opening his wardrobe, Jack was at a loss as to what to pack. Just then, there was a knock at the door.
