Phryne drove home a bit faster than she should have, burdened with guilt over Dot's news. This was Phryne's fault. Months ago, after Jane's brief flirtation with Kip, Dot had insisted it was time to talk birds and bees with the girl. Phryne, certain that Jane's less than idyllic past had likely taught her far more about the facts of life than Dot knew herself, had happily passed on the responsibility to her companion. Dot had been eager to volunteer, plainly of the mind that her mistress was hardly a leading scholar on keeping one's legs closed until marriage. "I'll be happy to fill her in, Miss. My mother had many excellent things to say on the topic, and I'm glad to pass those bits of wisdom on to Jane. Just leave it to me," Dot had told her at the time.

Phryne had thought it an excellent arrangement. Let Dot feed Jane the company line on chastity while Jane was still just a girl. When she became a woman, ready to go out and experience the world—that was when Phryne had intended to step in and instruct her about what really went on between men and women in bed.

Apparently, that lesson had not come soon enough.

She's much too young to be pregnant, Phryne protested to herself. Surely Dot is mistaken.

But Jane would hardly be the first girl to fall pregnant at fifteen, and Phryne viciously admonished herself for being such a fool.

She was greeted at the door by Dot, who was wringing her hands in worry. "Miss Fisher, thank goodness. Jane is upstairs. She's very upset."

"Let's get the whole story then, shall we?" replied Phryne, setting her teeth as she anticipated the uncomfortable conversation awaiting all of them. "Why did these news come so early in the morning, Dot?"

"Well, I got it out of her late last night," admitted Dot. "She came home early from school and had shut herself in her room all afternoon and it only took a little coaxing before it all spilled out. I tried to ring you at the station but Hugh said you had answered the Inspector's home telephone earlier and he assumed you were still with him." Dot pursed her lips to silently punctuate that particular statement, but had the grace not to comment further. "I tried the Inspector's residence but no one answered. So I waited until early this morning when there was a chance of the two of you being back at the station. Hugh says they've been working round the clock on this case."

Phryne gave Dot an apologetic nod. "Yes, they have. I'm sorry I wasn't present when I should have been."

Dot gave Phryne a comforting little rub on the arm. "Think nothing of it, Miss. You're here now."

Phryne could hear Jane's pitiful sobs from the hallway. They entered her room to find Jane face down on the bed, her arms curled up at her sides as she bawled into the pillow. The faithful Mr. Butler was beside her, his hand on her arm as he uttered soothing things.

"Look, Jane, dear, there's Miss Fisher now," Mr. Butler said, giving Jane a kind pat on the shoulder. He looked rather relieved indeed at Phryne's arrival.

"Oooohhhh, Miss Fisher!" wailed Jane, sitting up on the bed and gathering herself into a piteous little ball. "I'm t-too young be a m-muuuum!"

"Er. I'll just go then, shall I?" muttered Mr. Butler, making a judicious retreat.

Phryne settled herself beside the wretched girl, wrapping her tightly in a bracing hug. "Don't fret, Jane. We'll sort this out together."

Words poured out of Jane like fruit preserves, chunks of meaning glopped together by sniffles and tears. "Please don't be cross with me. I don't know how it happened. How could it have happened?" Jane began tearfully, wiping away strands of hair that had stuck to her cheeks. "I was behind the gymnasium with Billy Bishop last week but I slapped his hands when he tried to get under my skirt. I felt his, you know, thing—only through his trousers,Dot, keep your hair on—but I didn't know that could get me pregnant," she sniffled, rolling her eyes despite herself at Dot's continuing horror."Emily Van Houte has done loads more than that and she's not pregnant! Besides, Catherine Lambert says you can't get pregnant the first time, I don't know if she means the first time you kiss a boy or the first time he touches your bosoms, but I've only done the former so I should be safe, shouldn't I?"

Phryne stared at her ward, processing. For one thing, whatever speech Dot had given had not covered nearly enough ground. Phryne made a mental note to pull Dot aside and discover precisely what she had told Jane, as it seemed Dot might be unclear on some things herself. It also appeared to Phryne that the student supervision at Warleigh Grammar was wanting indeed if Jane had found time during the day to meet a boy on school grounds.

But of one thing she felt confident, to her great relief—the possibility that Jane was actually pregnant was dwindling by the second.

Phryne tucked a strand of hair behind Jane's ear and took her hand gently. "Jane, dear, what gave you the idea that you could be pregnant in the first place? Was your monthly late?"

"My what?" Jane's confusion stemmed the flow of her tears for a moment.

"Your monthly visitor. Your menstrual cycle, dear." Phryne did not have to look at Dot to know precisely the shade of red her face had turned.

Jane shook her head. "Oh, that. No, Miss, I've never been, er, visited before."

Phryne was completely ashamed that she didn't even know this about her own ward. So many assumptions she had made along the way; she had taken comfort that Jane was still a child and that she would eventually seek Phryne out when such knowledge was needed.

As Jack had warned when she had taken Jane on, this child-rearing scheme was no easy task.

"So what on earth made you think you were pregnant?" Dot spoke up for the first time, looking slightly irked that she had raised a fuss—one of her least favorite things to do—over nothing.

"The school nurse," Jane said, now looking skeptical herself. "He's actually a real doctor, Dr. Jones. He was filling in for Nurse Childs. I had a stomachache yesterday and my teacher sent me to the clinic. Dr. Jones told me straightaway that I was pregnant, beyond any doubt. He said he could tell just by looking at my face."

Doctor my foot, thought Phryne. It sounded like a made-up name. And not a particularly imaginative one at that. He was certainly no doctor, giving out that sort of mad diagnosis. "Did he indeed?" she murmured distantly, keeping her face calm for Jane while anger and alarm billowed inside of her.

"Yes. He told me that the police would arrest me for having fallen pregnant at so young an age, but that he could smuggle me away to the nuns if I came with him at that very moment."

Phryne felt the color drain from her face. "And what did you say to that?"

"I told him there was not a single chance in hell! I said my guardian is a lady detective and that I am particular friends with two policemen and that they don't arrest people for being pregnant. Then he tried to make me take some medicine so I left in a hurry and came straight home. You think he was lying Miss Fisher? Do you think I'm not really pregnant?"

"To quote you, my darling, I'd say there isn't a single chance in hell. Poor sweet girl, I'm sorry he put you through that." Phryne felt something twist in her stomach. This Dr. Jones fellow sounded like a predator, and she was willing to wager that he would be gone without a trace by the time she got up to the school. "Do you remember anything else about him? How long has he been filling in for Nurse Childs?"

Jane was beaming with relief, swiping cheerfully at the last of her tears. "Today was the second day. The principal was ever so thrilled to have a real doctor on hand."

"And what did he look like?"

Jane narrowed her eyes, trying to recall the details. "Just regular, really. He's a little man. Shorter than you, Miss Fisher. He's older but not old. He had dark hair with lots of pomade, it was so slick it looked like shoe shine."

Phryne's heart was pounding. "That's all? Was there anything to distinguish him? Did he have any strange features?"

A light went on in Jane's eyes. "Oh yes, yes he did, now you mention it. He had this thin little scar through his lip that pulled it up a bit, as if in a snarl." She pushed up her top lip with her finger to demonstrate.

Phryne stared frozenly at Jane for several moments.

"Miss? Are you all right? You're pale," said Dot, leaning forward to place a hand on Phryne's shoulder.

Phryne unfroze at Dot's touch and sprang to her feet, trying to swallow the tremorous fear that had wrapped itself around her ribs. "I have to telephone Jack. Make Jane a very large hot chocolate if you would, Dot, I'm afraid I'm going out again."

As Phryne hurried out of the room, she could hear Dot's soft but stern voice behind her. "Now, Jane, tell me more about this Billy Bishop…"

She would sit down with both of them later and make sure the record was set straight on precisely where babies came from, but for now, she had a monster to catch.

By the time Phryne and Jack had reached Warleigh Grammar Dr. Jones was nowhere to be found. Just as Phryne had feared.

Jack sent Hugh down to the school clinic to see if any evidence had been left behind and brought Phryne with him to question the administration.

"He was supposed to be here promptly at eight o'clock, but he has not appeared as of yet," wailed Mr. Busby, the principal, through his bushy gray handlebar mustache. His face was crumpled with agitation at the sudden police presence in his fine school, and he didn't quite seem certain on what to do with his hands. "Come, Inspector, Miss Fisher, into my office, please. The very last thing I need is students telling their parents that Jane's eccentric guardian and her police friends were crawling all over school today."

Phryne raised her eyebrows at Jack for being called "eccentric" and his eyes twinkled as he returned her look with a suppressed grin. They followed Mr. Busby into his well-appointed office, both taking seats in the chintz armchairs opposite the massive oak desk. The arrangement of the chairs and imposing desk were meant to intimidate naughty children who found themselves there, and made Phryne think back to her many visits to the principal's when she was at school. But today, she would be the one doing the intimidating.

"I am not just here as Jane's guardian, Mr. Busby," Phryne informed the man, handing him her card.

"Lady detective?" he asked with a small scoff, examining the card before dropping it into the bin. "How fanciful, Miss Fisher."

Phryne didn't bother to argue with him. She preferred to demonstrate her abilities until those who doubted her could not help but admit she excelled at her profession. It worked out better that way, and she spent far less energy quarreling with fools who believed what was between one's legs had anything at all to do with her mental faculties.

But she would not deny she was here to protect Jane's interests as well. "Perhaps you could explain to us, Mr. Busby, how you came to admit a man of such questionable medical experience into the school to administer care to students? You might add how my Jane managed to sneak off to be with a boy during school hours. I do believe looking after her is one of the things I pay you for."

"Miss Fisher, if we could please leave personal matters for later," Jack chastised quietly, tucking his chin so as to affix her with that reproachful look he seemed to have invented especially for her.

Phryne turned her head away impatiently and surrendered control of the conversation with a flippant wave of her hand. All of her questions had to do with personal matters, so she would allow Jack to get his information first.

Jack pushed forward. "Mr. Busby, when did this Dr. Jones character first approach you about filling in for Nurse Childs?"

The questioning was about as fruitful as Phryne could have expected. Dr. Jones had appeared as if by magic with what would turn out to be falsified credentials and references. Nothing had seemed amiss. No one had complained until Jane.

"Jane wasn't meant to be heard from at all," Phryne pointed out. "Good thing she has some sense. A child only slightly more naive might have eagerly let him 'smuggle her to the nuns,' as he put it. And then done God only knows what with her."

"Thank you, Miss Fisher," Jack acknowledged edgily. "Mr. Busby, have any of your students gone missing in the days since Dr. Jones started work?"

"Missing? No, no, of course not, everyone is accounted for."

"How about illness?" suggested Phryne, "Was anyone out of school in the last two days from illness?"

"I'm sure there will have been one or two, but—"

Before Phryne could continue her tirade, Jack cut in. "We'll need a list of all students out of school in the days since Dr. Jones began work, including today. We must make sure they're all accounted for."

"Good God," moaned Mr. Busby. "You mustn't...you cannot think...poor girls, I cannot stand it, if anything happened to them because I brought that man into the school…"

For the first time, Phryne pitied him. It meant something, that his primary concern was for his students, even though the school's reputation was very much at stake.

"Let me get that list for you, I'll only be a moment," muttered Mr. Busby, his mustache trembling.

Once he was gone, Jack gave her a very pointed look. "Miss Fisher, I wish you could tell me," he sighed, "How these cases always find a way of showing up at your front door."

"I wish I could tell you that too," she agreed. "It is growing tiresome. I don't like to think that the people I love are in danger because of me."

Jack shook his head, reaching out to brush his fingers over the back of her hand. "Honestly, there are just so many strange coincidences. It would simply seem that crime is just as attracted to you as I am."

Phryne, who hadn't blushed since she was out of pigtails, felt her cheeks growing pleasantly pink at his words. It was the first time he had admitted his feelings so openly. "So romantic, Jack," she quipped, covering her warm feelings with a healthy dose of sarcasm.

The corner of his mouth quirked up in a lopsided grin. "But in all seriousness, Phryne. You cannot blame yourself. These thing just have a way of finding their way to you. But the people you love are not helpless. It's because of you that they know how to handle themselves in difficult situations, and it was that, more than luck or any other reason, that Jane got away safely. She knew that what that doctor fellow was telling her didn't seem right and got herself away from him. If not for her experiences with you she may not have been so perceptive."

Phryne did her best to take comfort in his words. Logically, she knew it could not possibly be her fault that the man with the scar had chosen Warleigh Grammar to seek out victims.

"We thought he was after little girls, Jack. What does it mean, that he's stalking teenagers now?"

Jack nodded, indicating the same question had been plaguing him. "We can't even be certain it is the same man. We must wait until we get the sketches back from Giulietta and Jane."

"It's the same man, Jack. I can feel it in the pit of my stomach. It would be too absurd of a coincidence for there to be two small, scar-lipped men going after young girls," Phryne argued. Though she was replete with concern over what had happened, as well as what had nearly happened, to Jane, that feeling of exuberant purpose that always filled her during a good case was coursing through her veins now, making her mind sharper and her heart beat faster. They would get down to the bottom of this, she and Jack, no matter what it took. She just hoped they could manage it before the body count increased.

Mr. Busby returned with the list of students who had been out of school and Jack and Phryne took their leave, exiting the office just in time to see Aunt Prudence doddering down the hall with one of the members of the board.

Phryne couldn't believe the timing. "Oh, no, Jack. What are we going to tell her?"

Before Jack could answer, they had been spotted. "Phryne? Inspector? What are you doing here?" shrilled the old matron, her features arranged in that characteristic look of indignation. Her pace quickened and she reached the solemn pair before there was any chance of arranging a good cover story.

"Aunt P! What a nice surprise!" Phryne stalled, reaching over to peck her Aunt on the cheek. "What are you doing here?"

"Just having a chat with the board. But I believe I asked you that question first, my girl. I'm always happy to see you inspector, but I'm not particularly happy to see you here."

"Just a little mix-up with a dodgy staff member," said Jack smoothly, giving Prudence a warm and gentlemanly smile. "It's all been cleared up now."

Phryne knew that would not be nearly enough to satisfy her aunt. "It's an ongoing investigation, Aunt Prudence, and I'm afraid we cannot share everything with you right now. We'll fill you in when we can."

This did not please the old woman at all. "You cannot tell me? In my grandniece's own school there are illegal activities going on and you don't even have the decency to—"

"Phryne's correct, actually, Mrs. Stanley," interrupted Jack, knowing better than to let old dame gear up. "It is police business and we cannot elaborate until we know more. I do appreciate your discretion in the matter."

The finality and authority in his voice forced Aunt Prudence to back down. But she was not finished battling yet. "Well. Since both of you are here, there's another topic we should discuss. I heard it on good authority that you spent an indecent amount of time alone at the inspector's lodgings yesterday. Pray tell me I am mistaken." She affixed both of them with a reproving glower.

Phryne's eyes widened. How had word traveled so fast? Certainly Hugh had not said anything to anyone other than Dot, and Dot was the soul of discretion. "Aunt P, I will never know where you get your information from—"

"I always protect my sources," Prudence cut in, folding her hands together beneath her large bosom.

"—but it really isn't any of your business where I spend my time. Now if you will excuse us." Phryne knew she had been rude, but she was too vexed by her aunt's determination to pass judgement to care very much.

Aunt Prudence gave a little huff. "Phryne, I know I have said it so many times before, but you will hear me say it again. You should take better care with your reputation. I know you like to push boundaries, my dear, but your improprieties reflect upon Jane now. You would do well to remember that in the future."

Phryne new that Aunt Prudence was just as—if not more—concerned about her own reputation than Jane's, but she couldn't deny that her aunt had a little bit of a point. Especially considering what had just transpired with Jane.

Sensing that Phryne did not have a retort, Jack stepped in. "Mrs. Stanley, I apologize, but we really must be going. There's much to be done. It was nice to see you again."

Aunt Prudence grumbled a few words in forfeit and turned to rejoin her board member friend.

"Come with me," said Phryne, a sudden urgency overtaking her as she slipped her hand into the crook of Jack's arm and and pulled him out the front doors of the school. "We'll collect Hugh in a moment."

However, instead of directing them back towards the car, Phryne marched them instead towards the gymnasium. If it was a suitable location for Jane to meet Billy Bishop and become acquainted with his "thing" it would serve well for Phryne's purposes.

"Phryne, where are we—"

"You'll see," she bit back, her pace becoming even more dogged. Once they had slipped safely behind the gym, Phryne put her hands on his shoulders and pushed him, with perhaps a little more force than necessary, up against the wall.

Her lips rushed to meet his, all of her feelings of anger, desire, tension, and worry flowing into the kiss as she slipped her tongue hotly into his mouth.

Jack was only thrown off guard for a moment before he had one strong arm wrapped firmly around her waist, pulling her up to him hard, his other hand fisting in her short hair.

Her hands could not seem to settle on one place. She sucked his lower lip into her mouth as her fingers trailed over his neck, shoulders, chest. She clumsily undid the buttons to his waistcoat, her hands rushing inside and delighting in the extra heat she found trapped against his ribs.

"Bugger Aunt Prudence and her antiquated ideas about propriety," Phryne hissed against his mouth, drawing a sharp gasp from him as her right hand drifted down to his delicious buttocks. "I don't give a damn what she says. I want you so badly, Jack, sometimes I cannot even think for wanting you. If that woman and her beloved society cannot handle that then bugger all of them."

He gave her grin of lust and amusement and pulled her lips back to his, taking his own turn exploring her mouth with his tongue. He dragged a slow, curling caress over the roof of her mouth and she suddenly found it very difficult to stand. It didn't matter though, not with the way he was holding her so ruthlessly against him. She moaned his name as his mouth slid to her jaw and she felt his teeth graze her earlobe.

She was wearing trousers again and he seemed frustrated that there was no skirt to get his hands beneath. He made do with spreading one of his large hands over her bottom and squeezing her firmly. Phryne wasn't sure how much more of this she could take, and somehow felt that, while being taken up against the wall of a gymnasium thrilled her riotously, to do so at Jane's school would not exactly be in the best taste.

Jack saved her the trouble, though, pulling back from her reluctantly to say, "We have to get back. We have so much to do." He didn't seem convinced by his own words, and Phryne knew it would have only taken a little bit of coaxing to get him to stay.

"You're right. The sketch artist should be finishing up by now. We need to see what we're up against."

They stood quietly for several moments, still in each other's arms, trying to catch their breaths and find their way back down from the clouds.

"I know you were just proving a point," Jack murmured to her, gazing at her with a look in his eyes that she hadn't seen before. "To Mrs. Stanley as well as yourself. Just know that if there are any other points that need proving, I hope you'll seek me out again."

Phryne laughed, feeling unreasonably euphoric as she slipped her hand in his own. She led him the long way around the gym so they could walk together in private for a few more moments. She used her other hand to try and sort out her love-tousled hair. She was feeling unusually shy, and gave his hand a warm squeeze. "You'll be glad to know, Jack...when it comes to proving points—and most other things, really—you're the only man I need."

Please continue letting me know what you think! Y'all are the greatest, thanks for reading!