The clicking of Phryne's heels as she approached the door to his office was familiar, but the Commissioner's declaration made the sound almost uncannily different.

Jack sensed the steps were more decisive, as if the source thoroughly belonged in the surrounding. Miss Fisher appeared at the threshold, dressed in black trousers and a black and white blouse that was elegant and gave off a professional air. As she stopped to take in the scene before her, her mouth turned into a very small, slightly mischievous smile.

"Hello Jack," she said. "Or shall I say Inspector Robinson? Commissioner" – she turned to the latter and held out her hand so he could kiss it. "Delighted to see you again."

She turned back to Jack. She was positively radiant, and Jack was quite certain that the apologetic streak he could see in her eyes was overruled by her amusement.

"I have been appointed an Honorary Inspector and asked to take over the leadership of this station. It will be a pleasure to work with you, I'm sure."

Jack seemed to have lost the ability to form words, and he felt himself deflate slightly. How could this be happening? Miss Fisher, not in need of his defence, but commandeering his station instead?

"Miss Fisher," he finally managed to croak out after a long silence, looking numbly at the hand she held out without even realising she meant him to shake it, or perhaps kiss it like the Commissioner had. Finally, he extended his hand and shook it briefly.

"Excellent," Phryne said. "I am afraid I will need to peruse your office, so I hope you don't mind sharing space with Constable Collins for a while."

Jack turned red and looked from Phryne to Edward Fuller, knowing full well he looked like a fish on dry land, something he otherwise considered to be Collins' speciality.

"I see you already have everything in order, Honorary Inspector Fisher," the Commissioner said. "Please report back to me on a regular basis. And, good luck Jack." With that he nodded to them and exited the office.

Jack stood still for a moment, before rushing out after the retreating figure. He caught up with Fuller in the foyer.

"Commissioner," he hissed, "you cannot be serious!"

"I assure you I am utterly serious. Yes, this is an unorthodox step, even unique. But I know you are all for unusual ways to go around a hindrance, Inspector."

With a pat on Jack's shoulder, he left. Jack turned around and saw Hugh standing there, looking at his boss without fully comprehending what had just happened. Without a word, Jack stomped back into his office, closing the door behind him.

Phryne had already placed herself in his chair – his chair! –, reclining in a way that was ridiculously similar to Jack's usual stance.

"Phryne!" he hissed, but before he could continue she said:

"I never considered the full benefits of this workplace before, Jack."

She gestured for him to come and sit at the corner of his desk, like she so often did, and Jack turned red again. Collecting himself, he sat down in one of the visitors' chairs – her chair, his rebelling brain proclaimed. He took three steady breaths and decided he needed to look levelly at the situation.

"How on Earth did you inveigle yourself into this?" he finally asked her.

"I did nothing," Phryne said with a tiny smile. "The Commissioner came to me and complimented me on my fine work for the state. Then he said he needed my expertise for a new task. I agreed – and here we are."

She flung her arms to encompass the surroundings.

"What does this even mean?" Jack asked. "Will you be giving orders to my men?"

"My men, Jack – or are they perhaps ours?" she answered, and he couldn't help smiling.

"Well then. Will you also do the paperwork? Report to Russell street? Use my darbys? And what am I supposed to do in return – find clues for you and invite you home for nightcaps?"

"Now that's some creative thinking, Jack," Phryne said and smiled her broadest smile.