"Where to now?"
They had left the hospital and spent some ten minutes in a seemingly aimless road tour of the city.
"Back to your house," Jack replied. "I've been watching the street behind us, and I can't see any evidence that we're being followed. It appears your ruse was successful."
He hadn't realised how tense she had been until he saw her relax. "Thank God. Home sounds wonderful."
It was incredible, Jack thought, just how swiftly a house of mourning could turn into one of celebration. Jane and Dot both flung themselves on Phryne, laughing and crying at the same time. Cec clasped her hand with a heartfelt "Miss Fisher," whilst the usually stoic Burt seemed unable to speak for emotion and just nodded when his turn came. Even the restrained Mr. Butler's eyes were suspiciously moist as he uttered a simple "Welcome home, Miss."
In the midst of it all, he saw Dot clasp her crucifix and turn her eyes up to heaven. Her lips moved silently but he had no difficulty in reading the words 'thank you, thank you' before she kissed the cross and tucked it discreetly away again. He felt suddenly guilty: after all, he, too, had prayed that Phryne would be spared, but he hadn't entertained a single heavenly thought since she had indeed returned safely to him. Belatedly, he whispered his own silent thanks before returning his attention to the star of the show.
"A meal would be wonderful, Mr. Butler," she was saying, "for the Inspector as well, of course. And Dot, perhaps a bath and a change of clothes while I'm waiting?"
"Of course, Miss." Dot almost skipped up the stairs.
With the initial furore over, Burt and Cec shot him an uneasy look – Miss Fisher's friend or not, their well-worn credo of 'never trust a copper' was unlikely to change this side of never – and muttered something about heading back to work. Jane was dismissed to complete the homework she had left unattended the day before, and Phryne turned her attention back to Jack.
"I thought we could discuss the case over a meal – that is, unless you have to head back to the station."
"There's nowhere else I have to be today," he assured her. "But, if you don't mind, I might just make a few telephone calls while you're busy upstairs."
"Of course."
