A/N: Hi everyone. Thank you again for continuing to read this story, I really appreciate your support and advice. If you have any comments/criticism I would be very glad to hear them, as they help me improve my writing. I am finding Phryne incredibly difficult to write in these chapters, so if anything is even slightly OOC please let me know! Also, this chapter may seem 'final' in terms of Phryne's decision, but please don't panic. I wouldn't want to spoil any of the upcoming chapters, but I just wanted to reassure you that the discussion between Phryne and Jack that several people have mentioned in reviews will be happening in 2-3 chapters' time. I just wanted to make sure Phryne was able to explore all her options, fears, thoughts and concerns beforehand, although I appreciate this must be frustrating to readers.
Again, thank you for your patience, and I hope you enjoy this latest instalment.
Love,
HQ21
After a rather uncomfortable conversation with the shocked Mr Blake, which required another stiff glass of brandy and a seat in a comfortable armchair, Phryne and Jack headed back to the station to continue the investigation into the disappearance of Julia Blake, leaving a constable in the house with the distraught husband.
Jack made a call from the front desk to local Police in Sydney, as Phryne went into his office and called Cec and Bert, reading them the descriptions of the people in question and dispatching them to local hotels in Yarra. By the time she hung up the phone and turned to join Jack, the Inspector was walking into the room, a piece of white paper in his hand.
"Both Mr and Mrs Malder have criminal records" Jack began. "He has multiple assault and blackmail charges, and she has been convicted of solicitation and theft on numerous occasions" Phryne nodded in understanding. "They're also both believed to be responsible for the death of the young man mentioned in the newspaper article you found. He was out drinking with some friends and left early to engage some female company" Jack explained delicately. "A couple of his friends went looking for him and found him dying in alleyway a few streets away from their local pub. They saw two people fleeing the scene, a man covered in blood and a woman who was hastily attempting to redress herself whilst running" he continued. "The men went to the local station and looked through some photographs, and identified Valerie and Felix Malder as the people they saw."
"No wonder they're trying to get out of Australia as quickly as possible" Phryne stated, accepting the paper from Jack and reading over the long list of previous convictions of both parties, "they're trying to escape the noose."
"Hence their desperation" Jack said. Phryne nodded.
"It's just hard to imagine that someone could blackmail and then kidnap their own child" Phryne said solemnly, her eyes still scanning the contents of the paper. "Especially considering her condition."
"People who are desperate often act in a manner most cruel, selfish and disturbing" Jack stated pensively. "Though this case is particularly harrowing." Phryne nodded in agreement, her eyes drifting to Jack's face, and noticing a haunted look in his eyes, which was most uncharacteristic of him. Before she could speak one of his constables knocked on the door.
"Sir, we've had a report on the taxis" he began. "One of the patients at the hospital got a partial license plate from the taxi which was seen speeding out of the car park" he said. "The patient was driven to hospital in a taxi, and she took down the plate after the taxi almost knocked her over on her way into the hospital" he stated, before reading out the number.
"Thank you, constable" Jack stated. "Have you made enquiries into the license plate to try and locate the vehicle? And have you cross-reference the plates with those of taxis reported stolen in the local area recently?" The young officer paled.
"Um… no, Sir, I-"
"Then I suggest you do so immediately" Jack replied brusquely. "A young woman and her unborn child's life depend upon us finding them. Fast." he added. The young officer nodded obediently and left the room, closing the door behind him. Phryne, who observed that Jack was appearing slightly agitated, looked up at him with concern.
"Jack?" she asked gently. He turned towards her and shook his head dismissively.
"I should find Collins. He needs to-"
"Jack" Phryne breathed, grabbing his hang and taking a step towards him, her eyes looking up at him with concern. Jack looked into her eyes and shook his head slightly.
"Julia Blake is heavily pregnant, vulnerable, alone and absolutely terrified" he said in a low voice, which was heavy with concern. "In cases like these the first twenty-four hours are crucial, but considering her condition and the toll it has already taken on her health, and the fact that Dr Macmillan expects her baby to be arriving imminently, we do not have that much time."
Phryne squeezed his hand gently and took a step towards him. His eyes and his manner reminded her very much of his demeanour when he had rescued Jane's mother, Anna Ross, from a suicide attempt on the roof. She had seen first-hand how he abhorred the mistreatment of women and children, which his profession exposed him to daily. She wondered how many kidnappings he'd seen, how many victims, how their fates had affected their lives and their families; and, undoubtedly, his too. And in this moment Phryne realised just how much Jack's decency and his empathy affected him in his job, and she found herself loving and admiring him even more.
"We'll find her, Jack" Phryne stated with conviction. "We always find the people we are looking for" she added gently, with a small smile. Jack looked at her uncertainly.
"We need to find her soon" he declared. "The threat to her life, and to the life of her baby, is increased tenfold due to the desperation of her kidnappers" Jack stated.
"Which means that they will be especially keen to get their money and escape sooner rather than later" Phryne stated gently. "As the letter stated, they are intending to leave Australia tonight, and they will need the funds to do so. When Julia refused to give into their blackmail demands they kidnapped her, and due to their desperation and the time restraints they are facing, I'd imagine they will be contacting Mr Blake imminently to repeat their demands." Jack considered her words and nodded in agreement.
"She is still in considerable danger" he said. "Both her and the baby." Phryne swallowed hard at the word, feeling guilt and fear flood her veins as he spoke. She nodded.
"You're right" she admitted. "But they won't be for much longer" she said decidedly. Jack nodded at her conviction, which quelled his doubt for the time being.
"I'm going to speak to Collins" he stated. "I shan't be long." Phryne nodded in agreement and gently removed her hand from his, before heading back to his desk and perching on the edge of it as she read over the previous convictions of Julia's mother and stepfather once more, her stomach tightening with each word. She desperately hoped she was right. And, thankfully for all involved, she was.
Less than an hour later Hugh knocked urgently Jack's office door, rushing in before Jack could respond.
"Sir, Mr Blake's on the phone. The kidnappers have just called and demanded a ransom" Hugh said breathlessly. Jack rose from his seat and walked briskly towards the door. Phryne eased herself off his desk and followed close behind, watching as Jack picked up the receiver and held it to his ear.
"Mr Blake? It's Detective Inspector Robinson" Jack began. "I understand that- yes. Yes, precisely. What did they say?"
Phryne stared at Jack, watching as he nodded into the receiver, asking Mr Blake some questions and offering him some words of encouragement, as he wrote down some notes hurriedly on a piece of paper. Jack spoke kindly to Mr Blake, offering him a few further words of assurance and comfort, before hanging up the phone, making a few more notes, and looking up towards Miss Fisher and his constables.
"The kidnappers called with a ransom just five minutes ago. A man called him and demanded that he personally deliver £250 to the docks at 6pm this evening to secure his wife's release" Jack began. Phryne turned towards the clock and noticed that it was already quarter to four. Jack picked up the piece of paper he had been writing on and moved from behind the desk. "He said that Mr Blake was to be prompt and come alone. If any Police are present at the docks at 6pm he said they will murder his wife." Phryne's stomach turned. It took an especially callous villain to threaten the life of a pregnant woman, and it was even more unthinkable when you consider that it is the life of someone he knows and should care for deeply.
"Does he have the money?" asked Hugh.
"Yes, Collins" breathed Jack, who stood against the desk and looked from Hugh to Phryne and then towards the other two constables present. "Considering the desperation of the kidnappers, I think it is wise that we keep Police presence at the docks to an absolute minimum" he stated, which was met with a chorus of agreement. "Collins, Henry and I will attend in plain clothes. I want the docks notified that all ships due to sail either tonight or in the early hours of tomorrow morning are to remain docked until I say I otherwise" he stated. The officer who he had snapped at earlier nodded in understanding and headed straight for the phone. "Thank you, Henry" Jack said gently to the officer, who turned towards him with a look of confusion. "You have been a great help today. I'm sorry if I made you think otherwise." Constable Henry relaxed visibly.
"Not at all, Sir" he replied. "I'll get on to the docks now."
"Good man" Jack said, before turning towards Phryne and walking towards her. "I take it you'll be joining me at the docks?"
"Of course, Jack" Phryne replied instantly, as they headed back towards his office. "Why don't I call Cec and Bert, too? There are both highly experienced in situations of battle and conflict, and could provide us with essential back up this evening. Besides, they'll fit in rather well at the docks" she added. Jack nodded in agreement.
"I suppose you'll need to send word to them that they can call off their hotel search anyway" he responded. "Very well."
Phryne headed towards the phone in Jack's office, calling Mr Butler to find out whether he had heard from Cec and Bert recently. Mr Butler explained that Bert had arrived at the house just five minutes ago in order to ask him about a hostel in Yarra (which had closed down recently). He informed him that he and Cec had visited the hotels in question and were on their way to the station to deliver the items to Phryne personally. Phryne thanked him and rung off.
Cec and Bert arrived a few minutes later and were ushered into Jack's office, where the Inspector briefed them on what was currently happening, and requested their assistance.
"You bet we'll help ya" Bert said, his trademark cigarette perching on the edge of his lip.
"Too right" Cec agreed, his gentle eyes marred with anger at the revelations regarding the pregnant woman's current situation.
"Thank you" Phryne said sincerely, as the two men rose to their feet.
"So what time you wanna go down there? It's four now" Bert asked, adrenaline pumping through his veins at the knowledge of the impending mission, his mind and his concern for the woman demanding action.
"We'll take up position shortly after five" replied Jack, who was leaning against his desk. "Mr Blake will be arriving at five-thirty, and we'll be there a good half an hour before" he continued. "Although it causes me no end of worry to ask, are you both armed?" Jack asked with a sigh.
Cec and Bert exchanged a brief look before turning to Miss Fisher for advice. She nodded.
"We'll be alright, Inspector" said Bert, stubbing out his cigarette on Jack's desk and lighting a new one. Jack tilted his head to the side as he watched them.
"I have no doubt about it, Bert" he replied.
"Bert, would it be possible for you to acquire another taxi for this afternoon?" Phryne asked from her position on the other side of the Inspector's desk. "We obviously can't turn up in a Police car, and my Hispano-Suiza is hardly going to blend in."
"No worries, Miss. We'll get ya a taxi for this arvo" he said, as he enjoyed the exquisite first puff of his new cigarette. "We'll bring it here for ya."
"Wonderful. Thank you Bert" Phryne smiled, crossing her arms before her and watching as the two men put on their hats and prepared to leave.
"Alright, Miss" he said, before gesturing to Cec and leading him towards the door. "Back soon."
Phryne eased herself onto the edge of Jack's desk and looked at her watch. She wondered what Julia was doing right now, where she was, what she was thinking, feeling. Did she know that help was coming? Was she aware that in a couple of hours her ordeal would be over, and she would be in the sanctuary of her own home, in her familiar bedroom, tucked up with her copy of Grimm's Fairytales? Phryne could only hope that this was what was going through Julia's mind at this moment. But more than that, she hoped that it would truly come to pass, and that she would be alright. Phryne sighed at the thought, her own naivety striking her for the umpteenth time that day: how could someone who had been through such an experience ever be alright?
Shortly before five o'clock in the evening Jack and Phryne pulled up in the docks, parking behind some shipping containers which perfectly concealed the taxi. Cec and Bert had already arrived at the docks, with Cec positioning himself on a shop just yards from where the meeting was due to take place, and Bert hiding in a nearby warehouse. Collins and Henry were similarly arranged, with the former inside another nearby warehouse and the latter concealed behind a shipping crate on the opposite side of the entrance to the warehouse. Jack and Phryne got out of the car and crept around the shipping container, remaining perfectly silent and still as time wore on.
At precisely half-past five Mr Blake drove into the docks, parking outside the warehouse and opening his car door immediately. He reached into the back seat and removed a black leather briefcase, which he held tightly in his right hand, as he took several steps forward and glanced cautiously at his surroundings. He could not see Inspector Robinson, or any other officers, but he knew that they were there. Somewhere.
The next half an hour passed excruciatingly slowly, and even without her binoculars Phryne could see the agitation rising in Mr Blake.
"Do you think he's going to be able to hold himself together?" she asked, as she turned towards Jack.
"I certainly hope so" he said, lowering his binoculars and focusing upon the figure of Mr Blake. "The life of his wife and child depend upon it."
Phryne fought back a wave of nausea and nodded in agreement. She was feeling quite unsettled and her patience was running thin. Before she could pick up her binoculars again another black taxi pulled into the vicinity. "Jack, look" she whispered urgently. Jack picked up his binoculars and studied the vehicle before them.
"It's a match to the partial license plate that our witness reported earlier" he responded. Phryne felt exhilarated; adrenaline was pumping through her veins in anticipation. She placed her upon her gun, which she had concealed in her belt, and drew it out. Jack did the same, his eyes not leaving the taxi.
Phryne and Jack watched as Mr Blake took several steps forward, before pausing and staring at the taxi before him. A door swung open and a woman in her early forties stepped out, dressed in faux-fur and green velvet. Her hair was dyed a revolting shade of red, and there was a coldness in her steely eyes which deeply unsettled Phryne, who clasped her gun tighter at the sight. The woman turned around and looked back into the taxi, reaching inside and hauling a young woman to her feet, just as a tall man with dark hair and a moustache emerged from the driver's seat and walked around to the front of the vehicle.
Phryne watched as Mrs Malder pulled her daughter from the vehicle, with such force that the young woman almost fell, and passed her to her stepfather like a piece of cargo. Mrs Blake was wearing a light pink and white patterned dress and white heels, and was incredibly unsteady upon her feet. Her arms were bare and she was shaking visibly, as her stepfather held her tightly against him, pinning her arms behind her back and thrusting her forward, making her already prominent stomach seem even bigger. Phryne felt sick as he watched the brute manhandle his stepdaughter, and resolved to make him pay for his conduct. Dearly.
A brief conversation took place between the parties, which neither Phryne nor Jack could make out. Phryne watched Mrs Blake carefully through the binoculars, watching as her blonde curls blew before her in the wind, drifting in front of her face as she attempted to stand to her full height, her eyes upon her husband. It was clear that she had been crying and, judging from a red mark to on her right cheek, she had been slapped hard across the face. Phryne heard Jack inhale sharply, and guessed that he too had noticed the injury, which was affirmed when she noticed his jaw clench, and his eyes become fixed upon the kidnappers.
Mrs Malder appeared to ask Mr Blake a question, which he answered promptly, before holding up the briefcase and opening it to reveal the cash. Mrs Malder stepped forward and picked up a wad of notes, leafing through them quickly and then replacing them, before picking up another random bundle and doing the same. She then said something else to her daughter's husband, who closed the suitcase. Before another word could be uttered, Phryne watched as Mrs Blake, who had been growing increasingly pale, leaned forward and collapsed, her legs giving way beneath her. Jack removed his gun from his belt and removed the safety, pushing himself into a standing position and walking around the side of the shipping container. Phryne promptly did the same, creeping around the opposite side. Cec and Bert, who had watched the scene with horror, slowly began to approach the kidnappers, as Collins, Henry, Jack and Phryne crept around the nearby containers, and they began to surround the Malders and Mrs Blake.
Upon seeing his wife collapse, Mr Blake dropped the case on the floor and rushed towards his wife, only to be stopped by Mrs Malder, who removed a pistol from her pocket and struck him hard across the face with it, rendering him unconscious. As her husband attempted to pull the semi-conscious Mrs Blake forcefully to her feet, the cold-hearted Mrs Malder, showing no regard whatsoever for the wellbeing of her daughter, reached forward and grabbed the suitcase. She then turned towards her husband and gestured for him to get back into the taxi. Before he had a chance to respond, Cec and Bert had arrived on the scene. Bert, who had seemingly appeared out of nowhere, approached Mr and Mrs Malder with confidence, aiming his gun from one to the other, and demanding that they lower Mrs Blake gently to the ground. Before they had a chance to consider this demand, Cec stood tall behind Mr Malder, calling his name which caused him to turn around in surprise. Jack used this opportunity to rush towards the scene, gathering the limp body of Mrs Blake into his arms just as Cec grabbed her captor and punched him hard in the face, before holding him in a debilitating arm lock. Collins and Henry quickly arrived on the scene, with Henry rushing to Cec's side and handcuffing the stepfather, as Collins joined Bert, brandishing his own weapon and demanding that Mrs Malder dropped hers.
Phryne approached the scene with her gun aimed squarely at Mr Malder's forehead, the female detective's eyes alight, her expression terrifying. For a moment she hoped that Mrs Malder would not relinquish her weapon. After a few moments the angry Mrs Malder sighed deeply, before lowering her gun and dropping it upon the ground. Hugh and Bert rushed towards her, with Hugh cuffing her as Bert retrieved her weapon, removed the bullets, and handed it to Phryne. He then crouched down besides Mr Blake and confirmed that he was fine, just out cold. Cec walked towards him and they drew the man to his feet, informing Phryne that they'd drive him to the hospital in the stolen taxi. Throughout the whole conversation the ice-cold Mr Malder had been glaring hard at Phryne, who was still aiming her gun at her, which she did not lower until both kidnappers had been secured in the back of the Police car which had been concealed in the warehouse. The retrieval of the victim and apprehension of both suspects had occurred in less than a minute, and Phryne was experiencing a dizzying combination of exhilaration and pure rage.
Phryne lowered her weapon and tucked it back into her belt, before turning towards Jack, who was holding Mrs Blake in his arms. Jack was holding her tightly to his chest and looking down at her with concern, drawing her hair from her eyes and talking to her very softly. The sight of Jack carrying the semi-conscious pregnant woman in his arms almost reduced Phryne to tears, but she pushed her emotions aside and rushed towards them both, placing her hand upon the woman's arm and calling her name.
"Julia" Phryne said gently, causing the woman to open her eyes slightly wider and turn towards her. "Julia, it's alright. You're going to be absolutely fine, sweetheart. They can't hurt you anymore" she assured her. Julia nodded in understanding and seemed poised to respond, before her eyes widened and a cry of pain escaped her lips. She placed her hand upon her abdomen and leaned forward suddenly, causing Jack to adjust his hold on her quickly and with great skill, as her whole body tensed and she leaned forward, breathing heavily and crying out in pain. Phryne's eyes widened. "We need to get her to hospital" she declared, as Jack drew the woman closer to his chest and walked briskly back towards their car.
Jack walked briskly towards the taxi, mindful of Mrs Blake, whose face was pressed to his chest as she whimpered in pain. As they reached the vehicle Phryne opened the door, and watched as Jack spoke soothingly to Mrs Blake.
"It's alright, everything's going to be alright" he said kindly, his voice soft and gentle, his eyes warm and sincere. "We'll be at the hospital in a few minutes and everything will be fine" he stated with such conviction that Phryne did not question him.
Phryne watched as Jack eased Mrs Blake into the back seat gently and with great care, still speaking to her reassuringly as he lay her across the backseat. Phryne walked around the car and opened the back door, easing herself inside so that she was perched on the seat beside Mrs Blake's head.
"Julia" she said gently, to the young woman who was laying in the foetal position in the back of the taxi, her back pressed against the seats, her arm wrapped across her abdomen. She whimpered in understanding and Phryne placed her hand tentatively on her shoulder. She flinched. "My name's Phryne" she began, as Jack got into the front seat and started the engine, slamming the door behind him and driving out of the docks at impressive speed. "What the Inspector told you is true, you are going to be fine, I promise. And so is your baby" she added, her eyes falling to Julia's swollen abdomen, which she was holding protectively with her left arm. "Can you tell me where the pain is?"
Julia stifled a small sob and clenched her jaw, before using her hand to indicate the centre of her lower abdomen. Jack glanced in his view mirror and watched as Phryne paled.
"How often are you experiencing pain?" she asked over the sound of the engine, as Jack turned onto the main road.
"Ev…every couple of minutes" she replied, before wrapping her arm tighter across her stomach and pushing herself against the back seat, as her entire body tensed.
"It's alright" Phryne said soothingly, removing her glove and holding the terrified woman's hand, which she squeezed tightly in response. Once the contraction had subsided Phryne asked another question. "How long have you been experiencing pain?" she asked delicately. Once Julia had recovered her breathing she responded.
"Since shortly after they took me" she replied. "I tried to hide it. I didn't want them to know, I couldn't…" she continued, her voice heavy with emotion. Phryne squeezed her hand reassuringly.
"I understand" she said kindly. The thought of being in labour whilst being held captive by her cold mother and murderous stepfather must have been absolutely terrifying. "But you're alright now. Both of you will be absolutely fine" she stated with conviction. Julia nodded uncertainly in response.
"Where's Robin?" she asked gently. Phryne paused.
"Robin is fine, he's on his way to another hospital, he'll meet us there" she stated. "He was rendered unconscious at the scene, but I promise you he is absolutely fine. He'll be with you soon." The young woman trembled but nodded in response. Phryne was struck by her bravery.
Phryne spent the next couple of minutes watching over Julia, who was shaking and tensing, gritting her teeth in an attempt to conceal the pain.
"You don't have to hide it anymore, Julia. We know you're in pain, it's alright" Phryne soothed, holding the woman's hand tightly in her own.
Jack looked back in the mirror and saw the expression of care and concern on Phryne's face, and for a moment was struck by her likeness to the Madonna looking over the infant baby Jesus. Before he could consider this further, his thoughts were cut short by a pained scream from the back seat, as Julia Blake wrapped her arm tightly across her stomach and cried out in pain.
Phryne, feeling slightly panicked, noticed that Julia's contractions were around a minute or so apart. The combination of her approaching delivery date and the stress induced by her ordeal had sent her into early labour, and things seemed to be progressing worryingly quickly. Phryne held her hand tightly and spoke to her soothingly, repeatedly assuring her that everything was fine and that they would be at the hospital soon. Which, she was grateful to find, was the absolute truth, thanks to Jack's newfound disregard for speed limits and traffic laws.
Jack pulled up directly in front of the main entrance to the hospital, before opening his car door and rushing round to the opposite side of the car. Phryne managed to raise Julia slightly, and helped to ease her back into Jack's arms, as he held her securely to his chest and carried her through the main reception. Phryne ran ahead to the main desk, quickly outlining the situation and asking for Mac to be called immediately. Two nurses rushed down a corridor and a porter brought a trolley from another room, which Jack gently lay Julia down upon.
"It's alright, you're alright, shh" he soothed, as he eased her down upon the trolley. "Dr Macmillan will be here shortly, and she's going to take care of both of you" he said gently, placing his left hand on her shoulder and his right hand upon her cheek as he spoke to her. He looked down at her with confident and reassuring eyes, his expression gentle and kind. Julia looked up at him with terrified eyes, before raising her hand to his and squeezing it. Jack offered her a reassuring smile and promised her that she and her baby were both going to be alright. Phryne, whose guilt rose and threatened to consume her, clenched her jaw and turned to the side, furiously blinking back the tears which threatened to spill, but was saved just in time by Mac, who came running down the corridor.
"Julia" she said breathlessly as she reached the bed, as the young woman was struck with another contraction. Mac placed her hands upon her stomach and felt the tension, examining her abdomen briefly before nodding. "Okay, alright, sweetheart, let's get you to Maternity" she said, her voice soft but assured. "Nurse" she said, gesturing for a nearby nurse to assist her. "Thank you" she said to Phryne, before turning towards Jack, "both of you" she added, before rushing down the corridor with her patient and three other members of medical staff.
Jack and Phryne remained standing still for a few moments, staring after the disappearing trolley and medical staff, until the sounds of running footsteps could no longer be heard.
As soon as Julia Blake was in the safe and capable hands of Mac, Phryne felt herself calm slightly, relief flooding over her that the young woman was now free from the clutches of her wicked mother and stepfather, and she and her child were now in the best place for them. But the relief Phryne experienced at this was short-lived, as she was struck by the sobering fact that Mrs Blake was in labour, a risky and unpredictable state which would not have been helped by the fact she was held captive. Phryne remembered the woman trembling, crying out in pain and clutching her arms protectively across her abdomen, as if she feared that Phryne herself were going to take her infant from her. Phryne discarded the thought immediately, and found herself feeling instantly tired and light-headed, so turned on the spot and headed towards the seats in the waiting area. She heard Jack's footsteps close behind.
Phryne eased herself into a seat and clasped her hands together, lowering her head slightly as she considered the day's events. It seemed almost unbelievable that, just earlier in that very afternoon, she had been sat in a park considering her own condition, a trail of thought she was forced to abandon whilst she worked with Jack to ensure the safe recovery of Mrs Blake. But now that the woman was in hospital and the kidnappers were locked in cells in Russell Street, the distraction of the case began to wear off slightly, and the guilt and fear which she had so admirably suppressed over the past few hours washed over her in strong, torturous waves. She found her mind racing, as memories of her sitting in the café and the park came flooding back to her, as did the decision she made; a decision which, in the space of just six hours, had been thrown into flux. Phryne clenched her hands tighter together and clenched her jaw, as memories of Mrs Blake's bedroom, her clothes, the nursery and all the items rushed to the forefront of her mind, and she found herself feeling instantly overwhelmed by her ignorance and naivety. Before she had a chance to ponder this further she felt a strong hand cover her own, and she looked up in surprise.
"She'll be alright, Phryne. They both will" Jack said gently, as he held her hands tightly with his own. Phryne stared at him for a moment, processing his words and trying to find their meaning, before realisation dawned upon her.
"Yes, I know" she returned, unclasping her hands and forcing a small smile. "I was just thinking about Mrs Malder" Phryne said, casting her memory back to the reprehensible woman.
"What about her?" Jack asked. Phryne swallowed.
"When her daughter collapsed she didn't even bat an eyelid. She just ran straight for the briefcase" she said, her tone faltering slightly. "How could a mother do that?"
Jack watched Phryne for a few moments, observing her barely repressed anger and clear signs of discomfort. From her experiences in the past, and her care for Jane, she found such cases to be very difficult indeed. Especially ones involving children.
"Not all people are capable of being parents, Phryne" he said gently, his hand still upon hers. She tensed beneath his touch, his words cutting through her. "Mrs Malder's desires for self-preservation completely overrode the very little regard she had for the wellbeing of her child. She was a mother in the biological sense, but that was all. Which, I suspect, is why she was able to act the way she did" he explained, watching as Phryne looked up at him with a solemn expression. She swallowed hard and looked deep into his eyes.
"Jack, I-"
"Inspector Robinson!" called a familiar voice, causing both Phryne and Jack to rise from their seats, their hands falling from each other's, as Mr Blake walked briskly towards them, closely followed by Cec and Bert. "Where is Julia? Is she alright?" he asked breathlessly.
"Sorry, Miss" said Bert. "Mr Blake 'ere regained consciousness in the cab, and refused to go to hospital. Said he wanted to be with his wife." Phryne nodded in understanding, finding herself instantly sobered and composed by the presence of the three men.
"That's quite alright, Mr Blake" she said gently, taking a few steps towards him, and inhaling deeply. "Your wife was having contractions" she explained tentatively, "so we drove her to hospital and delivered her straight to Dr Elizabeth Macmillan, who is with her now" she said, her words seeming to comfort the man slightly, though his eyes widened when she mentioned the word 'contractions'. "She's being well looked after, I assure you." He nodded in agreement and paused for a moment, his eyes glazing over, as he became unsteady on his feet. Phryne caught him just as his legs gave way beneath him, and she and Jack eased him onto a nearby seat. Jack sat beside him and began to explain what happened after he collapsed, offering him words of reassurance. Phryne rose to her feet and walked towards Cec and Bert.
"Thank you for your help today. For everything" she said kindly. "You were invaluable. We couldn't have done it without you."
"S'alright, Miss" Bert said, chewing on his cigarette.
"Yair, no worries, Miss" added Cec. "Will the lady be alright? And her baby?"
"I'm sure they will" Phryne replied. "I'll let you both know the moment we hear anything." Both men nodded in agreement and took their leave.
Phryne walked towards the front desk and requested a glass of water, which was provided almost instantly by a young, eager-eyed nurse, who seemed to have her eye on Phryne's silver and emerald necklace. Phryne carried the water back to her seat, offering it to Mr Blake and encouraging him to drink, as she sat down beside him. She ran a hand over his forehead, noting the purpling bruise and minor laceration, which was a result of being knocked unconscious by Mrs Malder. The skin was slightly raised and tender to the touch, but the cut was not too deep and Mr Blake seemed alert and responsive, asking many questions about his wife and her captors. After thirty minutes which felt like much longer, Mr Blake suddenly leapt from his seat and took several steps forwards. Phryne and Jack looked after him and rose from their seats, as Dr Macmillan made her way slowly towards reception.
"Mr Blake" Mac stated, her eyes befalling the injury to his forehead. "Whatever happened?" she asked, her eyes drifting from the nervous husband to Phryne and Jack. Phryne waved her concern aside.
"Dr Macmillan, thank goodness" he breathed. "Please, where is my wife? Is she alright?"
Mac took a step towards him and placed her hands over his own, her honest eyes staring into his, as a reassuring smile formed on her lips. Phryne felt instantly relieved. She knew that look.
"Your wife is absolutely fine, Mr Blake" she smiled. "As is your six pound three ounce baby girl" she added.
"Girl?" he breathed, his face breaking into such a wide smile that Phryne could not help but smile too. "Thank you, thank you, Doctor" he said, taking several uncertain steps forwards. Mac placed her hand on his arm and encouraged him to look at her.
"She's recovering at the moment, Mr Blake, but I will take you to see her and your daughter in just a few minutes" she said, her tone gentle but with an air of authority. "On the condition that you let me check over your wound and bandage it for you. We wouldn't want to scare Mrs Blake, now, would we?" she smiled. The man smiled once more and allowed Mac to place her hand on his arm and guide him down the corridor. "Thank you" Mac said sincerely, her eyes flickering from Phryne to Jack, "both of you."
"Of course" Phryne said, a small smile upon her lips. Jack nodded in response to her words, as both he and Phryne watched the elated Mr Blake be led down the corridor and towards his wife and child.
Phryne sighed in relief and placed her head in her hand, smiling to herself as she allowed herself to bask in this piece of news, temporarily pushing her own fears aside. As she lifted her face from her hand she saw Jack standing directly in front of her, his hands reaching for her and pulling her into a tender embrace. Phryne's breath caught in her throat as he wrapped his arms around her, her own hands travelling up his back and holding him to her, as her hands rested upon his shoulder blades. She placed her cheek to his neck and lowered her head slightly, closing her eyes and allowing herself to be comforted by his touch, his scent, his embrace, his presence. They needed this. She needed this. After a few moments she felt the relief slowly ebb away, to be replaced with the fear and guilt which had been plaguing her, and was increasing tenfold by her proximity to Jack. She inhaled sharply and slowly withdrew from his embrace.
"We aren't finished yet" she said gently, looking into Jack's eyes, which were considering her with interest. "There are a couple of people in Russell Street who I would very much like to speak to" she added, her tone adopting an icy edge. Jack nodded in agreement.
"As would I, Miss Fisher" he said, before walking with her out of the hospital, and driving her back to the station, where Mr and Mrs Malder were undoubtedly seething in their cells.
The first person to be interviewed was Mr Malder, who refused to answer any of Jack and Phryne's questions, and barely even registered their presence. After a frustrating thirty minutes Jack ordered that the man be taken back to his cell, and arranged for Mrs Malder to be produced.
Phryne sat up straighter in her chair and released a long breath, attempting to calm herself and maintain her composure, just as Mrs Malder was escorted into the room.
Mrs Malder sat up straight in her seat, staring from Jack to Phryne with utter disdain, her ice-cold eyes and impassive expression sending a chill down Phryne's spine; this was clearly a very cruel, callous woman. For the first ten minutes it seemed as though this interview would go the same way as the previous one, with Mrs Malder saying nothing other than 'I am not going to speak with you' in a hauntingly chilling voice. She ignored Jack's questions about the letters, the blackmail, what had happened to her daughter during her kidnapping, and what would happen to her and her husband next. Even when he explained the strength of the evidence against her she did not bat an eyelid. It was only when Phryne made a remark that she demonstrated any signs of response.
"You almost killed your daughter and grandchild" Phryne said coldly, placing her clasped hands on the table and staring at the woman with burning eyes. "They are both fine, thankfully. Not that you appear to care." The woman scoffed in response and Phryne tilted her head to the side. "I'm sorry, am I boring you?" she asked icily. Mrs Malder stared at her with pure hatred, a glare so cold and so threatening that Phryne felt Jack edge closer to her. Phryne, unaffected, simply continued to stare straight into the eyes of the heartless woman before her. She was in absolutely no mood to hold back.
"Is that supposed to comfort me?" she drawled, blinking once in disbelief as she spoke. "How can you look at me like that" she spat. "You have no idea what kind of life I have led."
"On the contrary, Mrs Malder" Phryne returned, opening a file before her and running her fingers down the page. "Your Police record is most informative." The woman sighed in response and shook her head.
"You don't know what it's like" she said, her voice unsettlingly low and cold. "It's alright for you. You're rich and well-connected, one of them modern girls who've got everything they need. Nothing could happen that you wouldn't be able to fix with a bribe or a telephone call". Phryne felt sick to her stomach at the woman's words, and pursed her lips together before closing the file and staring at her.
"You're wrong" said Phryne bluntly. The woman turned towards her and glared at her once more, before leaning forward and beginning to speak. "But tell me. What is it like?"
"When I was eighteen I formed a band with some friends. They were all very talented and I was a singer. The band members, and the people we performed to, adored us. We were very popular. Touring Sydney and Melbourne and Adelaide" she said, her eyes drifting from the side of the room to Phryne, who was watching her with an impassive expression. "I had a good life. I was free, I was happy, I was independent. And then it happened."
"What happened?" asked Phryne.
"She did" Mrs Malder replied coldly. Phryne blinked, realisation soon dawning upon her.
"You became pregnant" she stated. Mrs Malder nodded sharply in return.
"To one of my fellow band members" she said. "I didn't want to keep the child, but he insisted that we could make it work" she said, her voice heavy with disdain. "He said we could get married and buy a house, and that we could continue with the band, and that child would be part of it, and nothing really had to change" she said, scowling at Phryne as he spoke. "So we married, I had the child, who he adored, and then he died when she was a few years old" she said. "I lost the house, the band replaced me and my husband, and I was left with nothing."
"You had your child" Phryne returned, causing the woman to give her a look which made her blood run cold.
"I had a life!" she screamed, her sudden anger taking Jack and Phryne by surprise. "I was happy, in love, becoming well-known throughout Australia, and then she came along and everything was ruined!" she yelled, her sudden lack of composure startling Phryne, who had rarely encountered such bitterness, such anger. Such hate. Phryne felt her stomach tighten.
"And you resented her for it" Phryne said, her voice faltering slightly. "You blamed her for ruining your career, and driving you into a much less savoury profession" she said, her hand still resting upon her file. "Which is where, I imagine, you met your current husband."
"She owes me" she snapped coldly. "I looked after her, fulfilled my duty, and the ungrateful brat ran off when she was still a child!" she spat. "I didn't hear from her or about her for years, not until I came across a newspaper article announcing her marriage to a wealthy man from Melbourne" she said, shaking her head as she spoke. Her hands were shaking with anger. "I lost my life, my identity, to give her hers. She owed me." She sneered.
Phryne felt physically sick by the cruelty and coldness of the woman who sat opposite her, and she cast a look towards Jack, who was staring at Mrs Malder with a stony expression. His posture and the look in his eyes clearly demonstrated that he shared her views on the reprehensible woman.
"And so when you got into serious trouble with the law, you decided to force her to pay" Phryne said, her voice dangerously low. "And when she refused to be blackmailed you kidnapped her" she said quietly. "You forced your heavily pregnant daughter through an unimaginable ordeal, risking her life and the life of her child".
"She didn't deserve what she had" Mrs Malder sneered. "I worked hard for four years, building up the band, working long hours, even meeting with agents. We were on the brink of fame before she came along!" Phryne stared at the woman in disbelief, her coldness and her hatred radiating from her body, causing the room to feel airless and oppressive.
"Your daughter created a life for herself, Mrs Malder" Phryne said coldly. "You made choices, and so did she. Your daughter also worked hard to achieve what she wanted, and she managed to obtain it without causing the suffering of any other human being" Phryne said, rising suddenly from her seat. "But I promise you, you will absolutely get what you deserve" she said icily, her eyes staring into Mrs Malder's defiantly, before she turned on the spot and left the room.
Phryne took several steps into the corridor and paused by Jack's office, leaning against the doorframe as she attempted to calm herself. She was trembling with anger, and the words of Mrs Malder caused her to feel sick and light-headed. She had rarely encountered such cruelty, such selfishness. It sickened her.
"Phryne?" asked Jack gently, causing her to stand up straight and inhale deeply as she turned to face him.
"Jack, I'm sorry" she said gently, and he shook his head immediately, placing his hand upon her forearm.
"Don't be" he said kindly, looking down at her with concern for a moment before opening his office door and ushering her inside. "Come on" he said, leading her into the room and closing the door behind her. "You managed to get her to open up, and what she told us is invaluable. She's provided us with part of her motive for kidnapping her daughter. What she said, despite how depraved and how sickening, was invaluable."
Phryne considered his words for a moment and nodded absently in agreement, the haunting words of Mrs Malder playing on a taunting loop in her mind. She knew that people could become bitter and resentful to their children, even cruel, but she had never imagined that such open hostility and evilness could actually exist in the heart of a mother. The words of Mrs Malder echoed in her mind as she remembered her day once more, with images of the nursery, maternity clothes, children laughing and the pregnant Mrs Blake screaming in agony returning to her with a vengeance, the terrifying images almost choking her. She couldn't do this anymore. She had to leave.
"It's been rather a long day, Jack" Phryne said gently, looking up at him with tired, emotional eyes. "I should go." Jack paused for a moment before nodding in understanding.
"Of course" he said, placing his hand in hers and taking a step closer to her. "I'm sorry, you must be exhausted. I'll drive you home." Phryne felt the warmth from his touch radiate throughout her body, the comfort it gave her causing her guilt to wash over her once more. It was unbearable.
"There's no need" she said gently, her fingers holding his tenderly in her own, as she looked up into his eyes. He had displayed such courage today, such care and empathy with Mrs Blake and her condition, that her guilt intensified and almost choked her. What had she done? Phryne forced her thoughts aside and took a step towards Jack, tilting her head towards his and placing a deep, sensual kiss upon his lips. Jack, who had not anticipated the kiss, responded immediately but tentatively, before the hungry nature of Phryne's kiss caused it to become passionate, emotional, fuelled by the horrors of what they had both experienced that day. Phryne, who felt herself close to tears, gently broke the kiss. "Goodbye, Jack" she said gently, offering him a weak smile as she removed her hand from his, and heading towards the door.
Jack watched her leave and close the door behind her, the memory of her kiss still causing him to feel giddy. But as he recovered himself and recalled Phryne's demeanour, he was instantly sobered; she seemed tired and incredibly upset, which was understandable given her ordeal the day before, as well as the emotionally-fraught nature of this case. But there was something else, he knew it. Something was not quite right. In fact, he thought, his heart racing and his stomach clenching at the realisation, something was very, very wrong. He just had not realised it until this moment.
Jack walked briskly towards his door and threw it open, walking quickly through the station and onto the street, just in time to see Phryne's Hispano-Suiza drive down the road and back towards St Kilda. Jack sighed in frustration and remained still on the spot, considering what to do next, when Hugh Collins emerged from the station and called to him.
"Sir!" he yelled, causing Jack to turn immediately on the spot. "It's Mr Malder, sir" he began, as Jack walked slowly back towards him. "He's ready to talk."
Jack nodded in understanding; this was hardly surprising. Once he had heard his wife screaming in the cells about her daughter, it was a virtual certainty that he'd want to break his silence and be interviewed, in order to incriminate Mrs Malder in an attempt to save his own skin. Jack followed the constable back inside, deciding that it was perhaps a good thing that he had not caught up with Phryne; she needed to rest and recuperate from the last couple of days. He resolved to call her in a couple of hours to ensure she was alright, and go to her house later that evening to check on her personally. Satisfied with this, Jack headed back into the interview room, where the wary figure of Mr Malder was sat opposite him, and proceeded to sing like the proverbial canary.
Phryne drove quickly back to her home in St Kilda, her eyes shining with tears which threatened to fall, as her body trembled with rage and fear. Images of the nursery, maternity clothes, various infant necessities and the tips in those letters to Mrs Blake flooded back to the forefront of her mind, reminding her of her ignorance and naivety once more. She didn't know what she was doing, and was a fool to even consider that she could do this. She remembered how alien she felt in that nursery, how intimidated, how afraid. She was scared of a room with furniture and clothes and tiny pairs of socks and mittens. She didn't know what a baby required, what it needed, materially or emotionally. How on earth could she look after a child? Phryne clenched her jaw and inhaled deeply, her lip trembling as a single tear rolled down her cheek. She brushed it furiously aside with a gloved hand as she made a right turn, only just passing through the traffic lights before they turned red, before pulling up outside her house.
Phryne remained in the car for several moments, her thoughts coming to her easier and stronger now that she wasn't also occupied with driving. In the past six hours everything she had considered previously about her decision seemed irrelevant, almost meaningless; the day had reminded her of just how ignorant she was, how naïve, how stupid, to even consider that she could be a mother. The case, and the investigation itself, had acted as a strong reminder of her lack of knowledge in all things relating to pregnancy and children and childbirth and nurturing a child. She was so far out of her comfort zone it was almost laughable, and she felt sick and angry at her own absolute idiocy. It was only when she was sitting opposite the heartless Mrs Malder, who was ranting about how her life had been destroyed by the arrival of her daughter, that she truly realised the implications of having this child. What if she turned out like Mrs Malder? What if she resented the changes that a child would bring to her life? And, even worse, what if she punished her child for them? Of all the emotions she had experienced since discovering her pregnancy, hatred and resentment did not enter the equation, they did not even come close. But what if this changed?
Phryne bit her lip hard and lowered her head, placing her hand over her forehead as she considered this, as for the first time in her entire life she found herself questioning her very identity. Before the interview with Mrs Malder she would never have even considered that she was capable of the same level of thought and cruelty, certainly not the same actions. But equally, if someone had told her a few months ago that she would soon be pregnant, she would have laughed in their face; and yet this morning she had been considering the possibility of being a mother to the child which was growing inside her. Phryne closed her eyes in frustration, inhaling sharply before leaning back in her seat. She wiped the tears from her cheeks and attempted to regain her composure. She failed completely.
What if she was like Mrs Malder? What if she was a terrible mother who drove her child away through her own resentment and cruelty, which she inflicted so harshly upon it? She knew from personal experience just how damaging having a cruel, selfish and emotionally detached parent could be; the damage it caused was almost always irreparable. The prospect of causing her child to feel this way terrified her. She couldn't do it, she couldn't. It was true that she appreciated her lifestyle, her freedom, her independence and her career, but she would not be surrendering all of that if she went through with the pregnancy, if she had this child. Would she? Changes would need to be made, certainly, but she would still be who she was. She would still be Phryne. And nothing would change that, nothing would change her. And she certainly would not allow those changes to have a negative impact upon her child.
Perhaps Mrs Malder once felt the same. She thought, before dispelling the idea immediately.
Phryne found her thoughts drifting to her own father who, like her, appreciated socialising, drinking and the opposite sex. Maybe she was more like him than she cared to admit to herself. She remembered hating him strongly as a child, resenting him and loathing him with every fibre of her being. She hated what he did to her, to her sister, how neglectful and drunk and detached he was. Even if she was not on par with the cruelty of Mrs Malder, what if she was the kind of parent her father was? She had resented him for years, decades, so she was clearly capable of such feelings. What if she inflicted those emotions on her child? And what if it grew up hating her and fearing her like she had done with her own father? The prospect was devastating, terrifying and completely consuming. She couldn't do this. She couldn't do any of this. In the space of about three seconds a plethora of reasons why she felt she could not be a mother rushed to the forefront of her mind, with each cutting through her, tearing away part of her soul. She didn't know anything about children or pregnancy, she wouldn't be a good mother, she was too selfish. Her lifestyle was unconventional, hedonistic and dangerous, she didn't have the skills to be a mother, and she was too afraid to tell Jack that she was carrying his child. She couldn't be a mother, she would fail on every level, she was already doing so; her recklessness had almost cost her child it's life the day before. She couldn't be a mother, of course she couldn't. And she was a fool for ever thinking that she could. As these facts played over and over in Phryne's mind, she considered that perhaps the greatest act of cruelty she could inflict upon this child was herself.
Phryne suddenly felt claustrophobic in the confines of her motor car, and threw open the door before getting out of the vehicle, standing unsteadily upon the ground. She wiped her eyes and walked stiffly towards her house, unlocking the door and stepping inside. She shrugged off her coat and hung it up with her cloche, before walking mechanically across the corridor.
"Good afternoon, Miss" came the unsettlingly chipper voice of Mr Butler, causing Phryne to turn towards him and give him a small, tired smile, which broke her heart to fake.
"Hello, Mr B" she said gently.
"Did you find the missing lady, Miss?" he asked.
"Yes, we did. She is quite alright" she replied.
"And the baby?" Phryne felt her stomach tighten. She nodded in response.
"A little girl" she replied.
"How lovely" he smiled.
"Yes" Phryne agreed, crossing her arms before her. "How is everything, Mr B?"
"All good, Miss, yes. Cec and Bert are with me now, delivering some of your exotic food. You have a couple of messages" he said, handing her a few sheets of paper, which she scanned absently. "Your aunt called to invite you and the Inspector to tea on Thursday" he informed her, which Phryne showed no signs of actually having heard. "Miss Jane called to confirm that she will be coming back home for her birthday next Friday, and is hoping to stay the weekend."
"Of course" Phryne stated, still leafing through the pages. She was grateful that Mr B was informing her of the messages, as she certainly was not taking in anything that she was reading.
"And Miss Bunji Ross called again, Miss" he added. "I explained that you were working on a delicate matter of the utmost importance, and may not be able to attend this evening, but that either you or I would call her to confirm" he stated. Phryne nodded absently in agreement. "She said that she and the fliers will be at the Green Mill at nine o'clock, Miss, and would be able to pick you up on the way." Phryne considered this information for a moment, and decided that she would accept Bunji's invitation. For what she planned to do the following day, she was in desperate need of a distraction.
"Thank you, Mr B" Phryne said calmly, looking up at the butler with weary eyes. "Would you please ask Cec to come into the corridor? I have a favour to ask him" she said. Mr B nodded and disappeared back into the kitchen.
Phryne took the message from Bunji and rang the number she had left, speaking to her friend briefly and confirming that she would be attending that night. Bunji agreed to pick her up in an hour. Just as Phryne rung off she heard familiar footsteps in the corridor, and looked up to find Cec looking at her with eager anticipation. Her stomach tightened.
"G'day, Miss" he smiled nervously, holding his hat in his hands as he walked towards her. "Mr B said you wann'ed to talk with me?"
"Yes, I did" Phryne said, her voice low, her tone haunted and almost ethereal. She swallowed hard and offered him a small, fake smile which, to her relief, he bought. "I need you to get something for me" she said, turning back towards the phone and picking up a pen. She scribbled a brief note and address on the paper and handed it to Cec. "I need you to go to that Chemist in Little Lonsdale Street and procure a small quantity of that drug" she said, battling to force down the feelings of sickness and guilt which were rising within her. Cec stared at the note and frowned.
"App-ee"
"Apiol" Phryne corrected, the word almost choking her. "It's for a case I'm working on, although it's quite delicate, so I'd appreciate your discretion." Cec looked up at her with kind, unknowing eyes, and nodded immediately in agreement.
"No worries, Miss" he said, pocketing the note. Phryne reached into her bag and handed him some money. "When do you need it by?"
"As soon as possible" she said gently. Cec stared at her with his innocent, unknowing eyes and agreed.
"Sure thing, Miss" he said, pocketing the money too and disappearing into the kitchen.
Phryne stared after him for a moment, before the feeling of hot tears burning in her eyes caused her to turn on the spot, and she headed mechanically up the stairs. By the time she reached her doorway, and realisation of what she was doing dawned upon her fully, she found that the feelings of nausea she had been battling all day returned to her in full force, and she knew instantly that these would not be quelled. Phryne slammed the door behind her and ran into the bathroom, making it to the toilet just in time, as she threw up the little food and drink she had consumed that day, her head spinning as she leaned back against the cold tiles. Phryne remained in the bathroom for a few minutes, her eyes low and sombre and focused on the ground. It was several minutes before she felt physically and emotionally able to move, pressing her shaking hands onto the cold tiles and pushing herself up onto her feet, before slowly walking back into her room.
Phryne perched herself on the edge of her bed, clasping her hands tightly in her lap as she tried to restore some order to her mind, and tried to sort through her confused thoughts. She considered everything once more, slowly and with great care, as the experiences she had had during the day caused her to consider her pregnancy, and impending motherhood, in a new light. She found herself overwhelmed by the little she knew about her condition, about children, about raising a child. Her fears about her lifestyle and the dangers associated with her career came flooding back to her, as did her concerns about her ability to love and nurture a child. Her child. Their child. A child who's existence she could not yet bring herself to inform its father of. She was too afraid. Phryne swallowed hard and leaned forward, placing her head in her hands as she attempted to calm herself. Although she had resolved to consider the matter as objectively as possible, she found that this too was one of her many painfully naive and utterly impossible thoughts. She already felt a connection to her pregnancy; it was hard to explain this feeling, impossible to define it, but it was strong, powerful and all-consuming, almost primal, innate. The thought of doing anything to compromise her condition repelled her, but as she found herself considering her ignorance, her flaws, and the words of Mrs Malder, she found herself doubting herself more than she had ever doubted anyone in her entire life. Her first instincts had been right. She couldn't have a baby, of course she couldn't. She'd be a terrible mother and the baby would either be placed in danger because of her wealth or her work, or she'd unintentionally compromise it in some way due to her own lack of knowledge on parenting and her selfish, independent, care-free attitude. She had discounted the possibility of ending the pregnancy earlier that day, and amongst all her confusion and fears it was the one thing that made sense, the one thing that she had been certain of, and in every sense it was still true. She didn't want to terminate the pregnancy, she didn't. She desperately wanted to keep this child, to keep this piece of her and Jack alive and introduce it into this world, even if she would was unable to be part of its life. But to do so would be selfish, unthinking and, Phryne found herself believing, even cruel. She had thought she had options, choices. How foolish she had been.
Phryne pushed herself up off the bed and walked slowly towards her wardrobe, ignoring the tears which fell down her cheeks as she pulled out a dress and pair of heels, laying them upon her bed as she slowly removed her clothing. She wrapped a robe around her and sat at her dressing table, staring in shock at the haunted expression of the person before her, a woman who she scarcely recognised. A woman she felt deeply ashamed of. Phryne swallowed hard and began to remove her make-up, reapplying it quickly, so that she did not have to look at that woman for a moment longer than necessary.
An hour later Phryne was pulling on her gloves and checking the contents of her bag, when there was a sharp knock at the door. Phryne called for the person to come in and was surprised to find that, instead of Bunji Ross, Dr Elizabeth Macmillan entered her room.
"Phryne" she said gently, her expression becoming confused as she looked at her friend's glamorous state of dress. "Are you going somewhere?" she asked.
"I'm going to be Green Mill with Bunji and some of the fliers" Phryne explained, her voice low and haunted. Mac instantly sensed that something was wrong and walked quickly towards her, placing her hands on her bare arms and turning her towards her.
"Phryne, what's wrong?" she asked, her kind blue eyes staring into Phryne's. Phryne bit the inside of her cheek and shook her head dismissively.
"It's nothing, Mac. Nothing at all" she responded, fastening her bag and picking up her furs from the bed. Mac stared at her with concern. She'd never seen her like this before.
"Phryne, please. Talk to me" she said, placing her hands in Phryne's and looking up into her eyes. Her heart broke at the sight before her. Phryne was clearly in distress. "Is this about the baby?" Phryne removed her hands from Mac immediately and turned away, just as the sound of a beeping car horn outside her house attracted her attention.
"I have to go, Mac. I'm sorry" she said, taking a step towards the door.
"Sweetheart, wait, please" Mac said, stepping in front of her and causing her to stop suddenly, her haunted eyes staring into hers. "Whatever it is you can tell me. You know that. Any questions you have, any concerns, any worries, please. Talk to me." Phryne swallowed hard and stared at the ground, before looking up into Mac's eyes and holding her gaze. If she remained here for much longer she'd fall to pieces completely, and she couldn't allow that to happen. She wouldn't.
"I meant what I said before" she said, her voice low and choked with emotion. "I can't do this, Mac" she said, her eyes shining with tears. Mac looked into Phryne's eyes and considered her words, the significance of her statement shining through her haunted eyes. Mac took a step closer to Phryne just as the car horn sounded once more.
"Phryne-" she began, causing her friend to stare down at her with a lost expression. Phryne leaned towards her and pressed a gentle kiss upon her cheek.
"Goodbye, Mac" she said, before walking around her and leaving the room, heading down the stairs and out of the building.