Thank for being patient. I'm hoping that you're enjoying each installment as much as I do. I love reading each section and am left hanging in want of the next one.

Reviews are are greatly appreciated. I want to hear your thought. As we get closer, if you figure out any clues, feel free to post them and I'll let you know if you're on the right track. Enjoy! :)


Jack awoke to darkness, which he realized when he searched for his watch on the night table and, upon not being able to see the time, turned on the lamp. 5 am. Jack moaned before turning the lamp off again. Running a hand over the right side of the bed and feeling nothing but cold sheets, his thoughts couldn't help but center on a certain lady of whom he wished was in his bed with him. Coming to the realization that his mind wasn't going to let him sleep, Jack threw back the covers and subjected himself to a lonely, cold shower.

Jack washed and dried himself in a manner that would induce any woman to jealousy. With only a towel girding his waist, Jack left the bathroom and pulled a pair of clean shorts from his drawer and put them on. Moving to the wardrobe, Jack selected a royal blue suit and matching tie; the tie having been a gift from Phryne for his last birthday, despite his objections to her buying him a gift.

He recalled he'd been wearing the blue suit the day she bought the tie. She'd wanted to make sure she had gotten the right color so she took him along. Before he could stop her, she had undone the tie he'd been wearing and began knotting the new one around his neck. When she was done, she'd simply smiled, obviously pleased at her choice, and allowed Jack to inspect it.

"Thank you, Miss Fisher," he had said to her that day before quickly kissing her cheek, surprising them both and making the day quite impossible to be productive.

Tying his laces, he made sure his watch was on his wrist before leaving the bedroom and going into the kitchen where he found Mrs. Donalle, his housekeeper, laying out his breakfast and tea.

"Good morning, Mrs. Donalle," Jack cheerfully greeted the woman before sitting down.

"Good morning, Inspector. I was hoping to get the wash done, so I hope everything is where it's supposed to be," Mrs. Donalle gently teased. Jack was grateful to the woman who'd become somewhat of a second mother to him after he had sold the house he and Rosie had spent their years of marriage. His own mother was eight hours away in Sydney which made it quite difficult for regular visits. His choice of career didn't make visits easy either, as his mother worried about him constantly.

"Everything is in its place, Mrs. Donalle," Jack remarked as the old woman left the kitchen. He pulled over the paper and quickly perused the headings for any news about the deaths of Mr. Brady or Mr. Callahan, but there was no mention other than the results of the first-day winners. Jack finished the last of his tea before placing the dishes by the sink.

He walked into the front hall and pulled on his coat and hat before calling to Mrs. Donalle, "Have a beautiful day, Mrs. Donalle."

"You as well, Inspector," she answered from inside his bedroom. He smiled as he shut the door behind him. Climbing into his motorcar, he drove towards Melbourne, the drive allowing him a moment of calm, quiet reflection. Glancing through his windows at the scenery, he came to the realization that, even though the world was just waking at 7 am, it could indeed be a beautiful place despite the crimes he dealt with on a daily basis.

He pulled into the station and paused for a moment before hopping out of the vehicle and passing through the front door of the station where Constable Collins sat at his typewriter, converting notes he'd taken into a report.

"Morning, Collins. I trust Miss Williams is doing much better?" Jack inquired as he hung his hat and coat on their hooks.

"Yes, Sir. Dotty was still shaken, but I think she's doing much better than Jane and Ruth. Oh, Sir, the Commissioner's office called wanting to inform you that Commissioner Hawkes will be dropping by this afternoon for an update on the case," Collins relayed. Jack nodded his acknowledgment before returning to his office. He decided he would work on the case after he tidied up his desk.

It was 9:30 when Phryne pulled up in front of the station. She had opted for a simple yet elegant coral crepe satin dress with sequins sewn into the hem of the skirt. Her cloche was also coral with black feathers sewn to the back. Her clutch, gloves and coat were all of an ivory-colored tone with silver Mary Janes.

She strolled into the station to find Hugh making notes in his report at the front desk.

"Morning, Hugh. Is Jack in?" Phryne asked, not waiting for Hugh's answer as she walked into Jack's office to find him straightening the files on his desk. "Hello, Jack. I hope you didn't straighten up your desk just for me," she settled herself on the corner of his desk.

Jack looked up and smiled. "On the contrary, Miss Fisher, I already knew to expect you; however I was not expecting to receive a visit from the Commissioner this afternoon," Jack responded as he stood up and brushed past Phryne close enough that she was able to smell his scent rising off his body. Woodsy and clean, thought Phryne.

"I hear he can be quite the intimidating individual, although I believe there are individuals who instill more fear in me than he," teased Phryne.

"It would be interesting to see how the Commissioner stands up to you, Miss Fisher," Jack phrased smugly. Phryne couldn't help but reach out and readjust Jack's already straight tie; if only to breathe in his scent once again. She noted how he was wearing the tie she had given him for his birthday.

Jack collected his hat and coat from their respective hooks and teasingly shooed Phryne from his office. "Constable Collins, Miss Fisher will be accompanying us to our meeting with Lord Stanton, but she is aware she is to remain silent during the interview." Hugh nodded, collecting his helmet and exiting the station after Phryne and Jack.

The drive to Toorak was a quiet one and, upon arriving in front of Lord Stanton's estate, they were ushered into the library. Phryne was quick to observe how extensive Lord Stanton's library was and noticed that along one wall was his more exotic texts. She had barely had time to glance at the pages when the library doors opened and in walked Lord Alfred Stanton along with another man in his late 40s.

"It's so good to finally meet you, Inspector…" Lord Stanton welcomed, moving to shake Jack's hand.

"Jack Robinson. Inspector Jack Robinson. This is Constable Collins and the Honorable Miss Phryne Fisher," Jack introduced. Phryne pulled herself away from the shelves to shake the man's hand.

"Miss Fisher you say? I believe I serve on several committees with your aunt, Mrs. Prudence Stanley. Please, have a seat," Lord Stanton gestured to the seating arrangements. "What can I do for you, Inspector Robinson? I can't deny my surprise at receiving a request from the Victorian Constabulary to meet with you. Oh, forgive me," he said, turning to the man sitting in the seat next to him. "This is my solicitor, Mr. Harold Lee. He's just here in an advisory capacity."

Phryne settled herself on the settee while the gentlemen selected to sit in individual, matching chairs. Advisory capacity my foot! He suspects trouble and, therefore, brings along his safety net, Phryne internally scoffed.

"Of course. We just wanted to meet with you to see if we could obtain any more information for our case. I trust you have been informed of the death of Mr. Marcus Brady?" Jack prodded.

"Yes. Your constable informed me when he called to request this meeting. It's a tragedy about Marcus. He was one of my better riders for this season. Pity we shall never know how well he would have ridden, now."

"In addition to Mr. Brady's death, a Stephen Callahan was stabbed and, unfortunately, bled to death that same day. We understand he was under your employment up until about three months ago, is that correct?" Jack asked, watching Lord Stanton. Phryne watched as well, noting that Lord Stanton was able to school his features; however Phryne could see he was hiding something and she wanted to know what it was.

"Yes. Mr. Callahan turned in his resignation three months ago after a rather heated discussion between he and Lord Stanton," Mr. Lee interjected rather quickly, which Phryne also took note of.

"And what was this discussion about?" pressed Jack. Phryne could tell Jack was trying to get Lord Stanton to answer rather than his solicitor, but Lord Stanton merely glanced at Mr. Lee, who took the lead.

"He was complaining about his wages despite the fact he was paid well for someone in his position," Mr. Lee, once again, quickly answered. Phryne couldn't help but think that this Mr. Lee had somehow prepared his answers well beforehand, as if expecting the questions.

"How soon after the discussion did Mr. Callahan turn in his resignation?" Phryne snipped. She saw Jack glare at her for breaking her promise, but he wasn't the boss of her.

"My understanding, was he submitted it the very next day. It was rather inconvenient for us, what with our other setbacks," Lord Stanton answered not pausing a moment to rethink his response.

Phryne and Jack looked at one another, communicating with their eyes. Jack was the first to break eye contact. "What other setbacks, Lord Stanton?"

"Lord Stanton has had to let other employees go, for various reasons," Mr. Lee intercepted.

"If it's possible, I would like a list of the employees who were let go over the last 5 months," Jack said officially.

"I'll see if I can have a list made and have it brought to you at the station," the older man nodded.

"A list?!" exclaimed Phryne in repulsive shock. She could hardly believe Lord Stanton had sacked that many people. From what she'd heard from Cec and Bert, Stanton Enterprises was one of the largest workforces in the Melbourne area since the Sanderson/Fletcher case.

"Unfortunately, my dear, I do not tolerate insubordinate behavior and idleness in my company, so, yes, I've had to sack several employees…," Lord Stanton directed towards Phryne when a knock interrupted his retort. A large, burly man entered and walked up straight to Lord Stanton and whispered something into his ear. Lord Stanton nodded and stood, "You must forgive me if I cut this short. Something has just come to light and I must see to it immediately. I shall have the list to you by tomorrow, Inspector. It was so good to meet the niece of Prudence Stanley, despite the fact that her niece should be nowhere near this kind of riff-raff," Lord Stanton gestured crudely toward Jack and Hugh. He shook his head and left.

Phryne was stunned when she caught a glimpse of the burly man's face. It had a scar from his eye down to his cheek just as Ruth had described.

Moving closer to Jack, she whispered to him, "Jack, look," breathing softly in his ear. Nodding, she indicated the large man to which Jack nodded his agreement while collecting his hat.

The three visitors were quickly ushered out of Stanton Manor. As Jack and Phryne walked out, they exchanged looks at one another signifying that they knew they were missing something extremely vital, but hadn't the slightest clue as to what. Phryne did know she would be sure to warn her aunt against entering into any deals with good old Alfie on the suspicion he was up to no good.

"Jack, I pride myself on being able to read people, so please believe me when I say I do not trust a word that comes out of the mouth of Lord Stanton or Mr. Lee. There's something going on but they've gone to great lengths to cover it up," Phryne observed out loud to Jack as they climbed into the motorcar.

"I tend to agree with you, Miss Fisher; however, we have no grounds to warrant a search of his premises. And, even if we did, I'm confident it would have to be extremely solid grounds. No. All we can do now is wait and see what we can learn about Lord Stanton's scar-faced friend," Jack said reluctantly before steering the vehicle away from Stanton Manor.