To my readers- I hope you've enjoyed the first chapter. Here's the second and working on the third.

Please include reviews.

Chapter 2

The drive to the to the fairgrounds was beautiful and, for once, Phryne drove just a little over the speed limit due to her daughters sitting in the back. Plus, she didn't want to cause Aunt Prudence too many grievances. Pulling onto the grounds, she quickly took notice of how many people from every caste was in attendance, although she was pretty sure they wouldn't be mixing. The high-end would keep to the society tents sipping champagne and gossiping with about latest news while the lower classes went to the fairgrounds and placed bets on the horses.

Phryne pulled the Hispano into the motorcar park, found a space, parked, and hopped out. Jane and Ruth nearly fell out of the Hispano with excitement. Hesitant to get out, Dot found she had no choice since Jane and Ruth were bubbling with energy.

"Here's the plan; Dot will stay with Jane and Ruth and the two of you won't lose Dot, not that you would, since she'll be handling your allowances, while I go to the stables and see if I can't meet Mr. Stratham. We'll meet by the Ferris wheel in about an hour where we'll all go up together before going to the boxes for the opening races," said Phryne, handing Dot two £5 notes. "You might want to go to a teller and have them exchange the note for smaller notes. Just be wary of carrying so much around."

"Alright, Mum," Jane and Ruth said at the same time before grabbing Dot's hand and dragging her off to the fairground ticket booth. Phryne scoffed at the idea that it wasn't the best idea for her to put Dot in charge of Jane and Ruth, but she also knew Dot wouldn't have had any interest in touring or meeting the famous Mr. Jeremy Stratham. Even after living with her for four years, her companion still wasn't comfortable in breaking more laws than was absolutely necessary; although Phryne was proud that Dot was becoming more of a modern woman now and was more likely to take part in an investigation.

Phryne walked over to where the stables were and was about to go in when she was stopped by a senior constable.

"I'm sorry, Miss, but unless you're a jockey, staff or owner, I can't allow you to pass this point. It seems everyone is extremely keen on meeting several of the out-of-town jockeys, particularly Jeremy Stratham."

"Interesting. That's just the jockey I want to become acquainted with, but I suppose I'll just have to wait to make his acquaintance after the races," Phryne lied immediately trying to devise a plan to sneak into the stables. But, luckily, she didn't have to when a voice from the past penetrated her ear drum.

"Is that Phryne Fisher's voice I hear? I haven't heard that voice in a while. It's alright, Constable Richards, she can come with me and I'll make sure I escort her out." Phryne turned and was staring into the face of a beautiful thoroughbred and then looked past the horse and found a face that wasn't so unknown to her. Jeremy Stratham dismounted his horse and took the reins in his hands. He was roughly 5'5" making him shorter than Phryne and weighed no more than 120 pounds by the looks of how skinny he was. His brown hair framed his square face and was extremely tanned from years spent out in the sun.

"Jeremy. I knew I recognized the name, but I wasn't sure if was my childhood friend or someone who just happened to have his name. It's been too many years, but it seems like those years have been good to you." Phryne greeted Jeremy with a kiss to each cheek. Jeremy smiled while snatching her hand and giving it a kiss that made her knees go weak. Jeremy knew her about as well as Mac did and, although they had once been sweet on each other, Phryne only wanted the attention of one man; and he was most likely stuck sitting behind a desk.

"Been good to me? Perhaps, but I think you'd agree that you also have prospered since we last saw each other. Apparently your Aunt Prudence relayed to my mother that you inherited a title after the war and that you're currently living here in Melbourne and working as a lady detective? What's that all about? How about I show you around while you explain?" Jeremy teased, offering Phryne his arm. She took it and was led into the stables.

"I did inherit a title, but only after a significant loss of male heirs during the war. I don't really go around saying I have a title because then I get judgmental looks from higher society. I settled in Melbourne in order to make sure the man who took Janey received what he deserved and, in the end, he did. Although I might not have a man to tie me down, I have adopted two girls and consider them, my daughters. I do work as a lady detective, but that's only because I can't join the Victorian constabulary and I wouldn't want to. I work closely with a Detective Inspector who is irritating but dedicated. And what about you?" Phryne asked as Jeremy handed her the reins to his horse and began to untack him.

"Well, after the war, I came home and met a wonderful girl called Anita, who was willing to put up with my war-scarred mind and we were married in 1920. We were just getting adjusted to our life together when we learned we were expecting. We were so excited to start our family, but sadly on the day my daughter was born, I had the misfortune of losing both my wife of three years and my daughter. It devastated me and for weeks I was unresponsive to everyone, including Mother. Then one day, my father dragged me out of the house and made me ride some of the horses he'd been raising for a friend. I began to apprentice with the friend by training the horses and soon was training on my own. The owner decided to put me on the horses and found I could ride rather well, which resulted in my being hired by Carmon Riders. I quickly went from racing locally to racing all over Australia and the States."

"I was invited by the governor of Melbourne to race in the Cup as a visiting guest and although Melbourne is home, I haven't raced here for quite some time and it's a joy to be home. Oh! I forgot to introduce you to my partner in crime, Star. He's an amazing horse, especially when his mare is in attendance."

"I would love to talk more, Phryne, but I have to go check in with the registrar's tent. I'll be here for the next three weeks, so if you want to get together and go riding sometime, please don't hesitate to call up Mother who would be more than happy to see you," said Jeremy as he led Star to his stall. All of a sudden, Star became anxious, his nostrils flaring with the scent of something unfamiliar. Jeremy had to rub Star down and offer him some apples before he even gave any sign of calming.

"Jeremy, it was wonderful to see you and I know the way out. You should make sure Star is alright. He looks like a horse that isn't usually easily frightened. Good luck on your races. I'll be cheering for you." Phryne kissed Jeremy's cheek and headed towards the entrance of the stables. She wanted to go back around and look at the different horses and jockeys, but she had promised to leave the stables after visiting with Jeremy, so she left.

Slowly she made her way over to the Ferris wheel, observing the different people gathering at the fairgrounds to enjoy the festivities. Phryne was jostled out of her observation by a large, burly man who ran into her and didn't even apologize before disappearing into the crowd. Phryne was about to yell something scathing that would cause a mother to quickly cover her child's ears when a blood-curdling scream pierced the laughter of the grounds. Phryne ran quickly to find Dot, Jane and Ruth standing as if they'd seen a ghost, before taking in the scene that lay before her. A middle-aged woman in tears was leaning over a middle-aged man clutching his stomach. Phryne got closer and quickly saw his hands were red with blood which was seeping through his fingers. Phryne's years as an ambulance nurse kicked in.

"Dot, find a constable to call for an ambulance! Girls, I need you to find me some relatively clean towels!" Phryne barked before kneeling at the man's side. Dot ran one way while Jane practically dragged Ruth in another direction. Phryne had really been hoping to avoid any incidents resulting in the ruin of her gown, but she knelt over the man's hands and pressed hard trying to stop the bleeding. "Sir! Can you hear me? Can you say your name? Can you tell me what happened?" Phryne yelled at the man trying to keep him from shutting his eyes.

"He's called…sob…. Stephen Callahan… I'm his wife, Muriel. We were just getting some candy floss when this man bumped into Steve and ran off. At first I thought it was a pickpocket, but then I noticed Steve was clutching his stomach and collapsed. He pulled his hand away…" Jane and Ruth handed Phryne the towels which she pressed to Stephen's wound before looking up to Muriel who continued, "and it was covered in blood. I screamed and then you showed up." Muriel blubbered before submitting to a wave of tears.

"The ambulance is on its way, Miss," Dot informed Phryne as two young constables followed behind her.

"Miss, can you please step away? The police are here and will take over," the more senior of the two constables ordered rather rudely.

"If I release the pressure on this wound, he'll bleed to death! Is that something you want to have on your conscious?" Phryne snapped, disregarding the order from the constable. She turned to Dot and asked, "Dot, can you go find Bert and Cec? They should be arriving at the box. Tell them I need them to take Jane and Ruth home by way of the station. Please, Jane, Ruth go over there. I don't want you to see this," Phryne nudged her head towards the candied apple stand. Dot left in search of Cec and Bert while Jane and Ruth slumped against the stand and slid on the backs to the ground.

"Stephen? Stephen! No! Please don't leave me!" Muriel screamed taking her husband's hand in hers as he looked up at her. Phryne turned to look at Stephen's coloring and quickly noticed how pale he was. She then watched Stephen draw his last breath as his eyes rolled up into his head. The younger constable walked over and felt for a pulse. Looking to Phryne, he shook his head slightly, his expression distraught. Phryne released the pressure she'd been applying to the wound, knowing there was no point in stopping the blood flow on a dead man. Phryne rolled back on her heels and sat down in the dirt without giving any thought to her attire.

"Miss?" Phryne heard Cec say from behind her. She turned her head and looked forlorn up at Cec and Bert as the latter held out his hand and helped her to her feet.

"I need you to take Jane and Ruth home. And I need you to drop by the station and tell Inspector Robinson that he's needed at the fairgrounds. Please stay with the girls when you get home, I don't want them to be alone right now. I'll be along as soon as I can," Phryne instructed before turning to the constables who were draping a white sheet over the body of Stephen Callahan, "Constable, my daughters are severely traumatized by this event; would it be possible for me to send them home so they can recover before giving their statements? I'm having Detective Inspector Robinson from City South called in."

"I think my superiors would be alright with that, but I'll need to get your statement as well Miss…," the constable responded while Bert helped Jane up. However, Ruth was so traumatized, Cec had to pick her up in his arms and carry her as they left. Dot stayed dutifully by Phryne's side.

"Miss Phryne Fisher and this is my companion, Dorothy Williams. And you are?" Phryne introduced herself and Dot.

"Constable Douglas, Miss. That's Constable Alberts."

"Constable Douglas, would it be possible to wash this blood off me? I'm not going anywhere, I just don't care much for the blood."

"I wish that were possible but until my superiors arrive and take control, I can't allow you to do that," Constable Douglas apologized. Phryne grumbled as she moved a good distance away from Stephen and slumped down in the dirt. I really wish I had brought Jack with me. He would have at least allowed me to wash the blood off, thought Phryne.