Reflecting on the conversation he had just had with Dr. Macmillan Jack decided it was time to leave his first breadcrumb. He began composing it while driving back to the station, he knew the case required his attention but if he didn't get this on to paper first he was certain he wouldn't be able to focus.

Arriving at City South, the Inspector found Constable Collins dutifully at his post.

"Collins, I've returned. Where is our mistress?"

"Ah, well, um, about that sir…"

"Yes."

"Well first there was a problem with the girl's name, and then I finally got Deroix to give up the name."

"Get to the point Collins."

"Well sir, when I went to her residence to pick her up she wasn't there."

"Did you check with her employer?"

"Well no sir not yet. But her neighbors did say that they haven't seen her in several days."

"Hmm, that presents a quandary. Go check with her employer and see if you can collect any other information on her whereabouts. Perhaps she has gone to visit family, check that avenue as well. I'll be in my office."

"Yes sir."

Jack entered his office and shut the door. He needed some privacy to effectively execute this breadcrumb. He got a piece of paper and began drafting his thoughts.

Dear Miss Fisher,

It's been three days since you began your journey, and I imagine that if you're looking to best Smith's record you're already to the exotic land of India. A land full of a certain kind of passion, a century's old practice that brings passion to new heights.

I imagine it is safe to assume that you've managed to not throttle your father just yet, consider him motivation to become the first aviatrix to make the journey from Australia to England.

This journey is one that must be completed on one's own, perhaps this experience will bring you the peace you desire, the acceptance of the flaws of man. It occurs to me that perhaps the reason you thrill at the freedom of a man's company is the knowledge that you've protected yourself from more than just an errant family.

In any case I'm proud of you, but I will not come after you. I will however be the first to meet you on the runway at the completion of your journey.

"Journeys end in lovers meeting"

Yours,

Jack

He re-read the note, happy with the touch of sexual innuendo, but more importantly the blunt review into her psyche. Making her raw is the only chance we have.

Jack looked up at the clock and realized it was nearly time to meet with Dr. Macmillan. He grabbed an envelope and tucked the letter into his coat pocket. He stepped out of his office, turned out the light, and made his way to the post box.

Several minutes later Jack arrived at the restaurant punctual as usual, only to find Dr. Macmillan already seated.

"I'm sorry, were you waiting long?"

"No, no I just prefer to be punctual."

"Ah a trait after my own heart. It seems that our mutual friend does not share that tendency."

"Oh God no, she was born late! But she does make up for her lack of punctuality with other traits…no?" Mac was baiting him but Jack immediately picked up on it.

"Indeed." Jack let that fall for now.

The waitress stopped by to fill their wine glasses and take their dinner orders. They laughed, shared stories of their lives, and eventually the evening turned to back to Phryne.

"I've given your notion some thought Inspector, and I agree with your plan. Her time in Paris has caused her more damage then she would care to let on, or even perhaps recall. No doubt our Phryne is for women's rights, but I do believe that there is an element of cloaking going on."

"Cloaking?"

"Yes, using her feminist pedestal to justify her notion that one can't be happy with just one person. Mind you I'm not necessarily saying that even if she dealt with her past she would change, but it is an interesting theory."

"I had wondered if there was more than meets the eye with her time in Paris. Gallivanting with artists, writers, and thespians sounds thrilling, but she occasionally has a look in her eye that suggests something deeper, something scaring."

"She will always be after the fleeting moments, the chase as you called it until she deals with her issues with men." Mac paused, "Ironic don't you think?"

"How's that?"

"Well, she clearly thrives on the companionship that Dot has brought to her life and now that's changed, but she couldn't be happier at the union. She's flying her father back to England to avoid her parents getting a separation, when she herself has said on more than one occasion that she wished he would just disappear from their lives. For someone who seems quite against companionship she certainly does seem to fight for it. Even her trysts seem to suggest someone that desperately wants to be wanted, to not be alone."

"Quite intriguing, you've clearly given this some thought."

"She is one of my closest and dearest friends and I only want what's best for her – the trouble is getting her to see what's right in front of her…" Mac said staring down Jack.

Jack found this conversation quite enlightening and was beginning to kick himself for not thinking of spending more time with Mac before this, but he was getting a tad uncomfortable with the discussion. Even though Phryne wasn't here he some how felt that he was exposing her. Before he could say anything in response, they were interrupted with waitress notifying them that the restaurant was closing.

"Oh, apologies Miss." Jack said grabbing his hat and coat.

Out front of the restaurant the friends bid each other goodnight, and went off into the night to ponder what would come of their lives once Phryne returned. For now they would continue in a state of suspension as life without Phryne Fisher wasn't much of a life.