I hope you've enjoyed my fic so far. It might be a day or two to get the next couple chapters up but I promise to get them up as soon as my school schedule allows me to.

Please send me reviews. I want to hear your thoughts and advise.

Enjoy!

Chapter 5

Collins had returned after emptying his stomach and Jack, seeing how badly the sight in the stall had affected the young man, decided to take pity on the young constable.

"Collins, why don't you go locate the jockey registrar's tent and inquire as to which of the jockeys have yet to report in; although I'm pretty sure at least one name won't be accounted for. If so, get the name and who's sponsoring them," Jack suggested as he watched the constable become green around the nose.

"Yes, sir," the constable turned and walked from the stables quicker than Jack had ever seen him move.

"Detective Inspector Jack Robinson?" another constable approached, looking at Jack.

"Yes?" answered Jack.

"Governor Somers and Police Commissioner Hawkes would like a word with you, sir," reported the young constable.

"Alright. Douglas, make sure the police photographer gets pictures and then have the coroner take the bodies," Jack ordered Constable Douglas. Taking a deep breath and following the young man through the stables and towards the race track, Jack walked through a series of small hallways to a little office.

"Sir, Detective Inspector Robinson as you requested," the constable announced.

"Thank you, Constable Douglas. Come in, Inspector Robinson," Commissioner Hawkes called out. Jack made sure he looked presentable before walking into the office. Jack immediately took notice of the man sitting behind the mahogany desk, recognizing him as Governor Arthur Somers, the governor of Victoria. He was in his early 40s with peppered brown hair, was moderately built, and standing at 6 feet tall.

"Commissioner Hawkes. Governor Somers," Jack greeted standing at attention.

"Governor Somers, meet Detective Inspector Jack Robinson from Melbourne City South. Inspector, word just reached our ears of how we've had a death on the fairgrounds, is this true?" Commissioner Hawkes pressured.

"Unfortunately, yes, Commissioner, but I don't believe you've heard about the second death. I was securing the first crime scene when another constable came rushing to me and revealed that a second body had been discovered in a vacant stall in the stables. Upon investigation, I found the second body to be dead with his throat crudely cut. According to one of the witnesses to the first body, a large, burly man was seen leaving the scene. This, of course, was before anyone knew what was going on or to instruct the people not to leave the grounds," Jack informed.

"So have you the identities of either victims since you have determined they were murdered?" Governor Somers questioned.

"The first victim was Stephen Callahan. I'm having a constable track down the name of the second victim," Jack stated. He watched as the Governor and Police Commissioner ignored him while they had their own private conversation.

"Sir, there's a possibility there are no links to the Cup at all. It would be unwise to do anything at this point," Commissioner Hawkes breathed.

"Yes, but if the deaths are related, we could have even more bodies piling up. It wouldn't look too good if it was said I let a killer roam about during the Cup. It might be better to cancel the Cup until the killer is caught," Governor Somers whispered back.

"Pardon me, Governor, Commissioner, but based on what I've learned from my years in the constabulary, if you cancel an event based on the fact that someone may die in order to prevent more killings, there's a likelihood there will be more killings and they will become erratic. However, if you are to continue the Cup as planned but had more constables strategically placed for security reasons then you will be more likely to prevent additional deaths; however, not all together but enough to where you're able to catch the killer," Jack interrupted, knowing he could likely be canned for such a comment. The governor and commissioner stopped and looked at the lowly Detective Inspector with surprise.

"You speak sound logic, young man. We will allow the Cup to continue but you will have to conduct your murder investigation as quietly as possible. Use only men that you trust because I don't trust half of the men under me. Commissioner Hawkes, you have quite the inspector here. I wish you had more like him," Governor Somers complimented.

"He does solve his investigations in unique and unorthodox ways, but he's managed to catch more criminals than other inspectors," Commissioner Hawkes explained, which gave Jack the impression he knew about his involving a woman detective in his cases.

"Very well then. Inspector Robinson, you're allowed to use whatever means necessary to solve this case. Your actions nor the actions of your men will be questioned. Just remember to document everything whether orthodox or not, so we understand what was done; but do not give any inclination as to your position of freedom as it will reflect poorly on individuals higher than you, making you the likely scapegoat for the problem. Do you understand what I am saying?" Governor Somers queried.

"Yes, sir," Jack said. The governor of Victoria was allowing him to use whatever means to solve the case, which meant he could bring Miss Fisher back onto the case. Still, Jack wasn't exactly keen on Phryne participating in an investigation she'd just witnessed.

/

Jack was outside of the track offices when he found Constable Collins pacing back and forth, itching with information.

"Collins, what did you find out?" asked Jack as he went to where the man stood.

"Sir, only one jockey didn't check-in today, a man called Marcus Brady. He's sponsored by Lord Alfred Stanton of Stanton Enterprises. Did you know Lord Stanton has six jockeys in the cup?" Collins said with little inflection.

"Focus, Collins. Find Lord Stanton as he'll most likely be amongst the elite attending today and ask if we might have a few words with him."

"Yes, sir. When should I say we'll be talking to him?"

"Ask if we can stop by tomorrow morning. I'm going to take Mrs. Callahan to the station and get her statement and find out more about her husband. After you set a time with Lord Stanton, see what you can find out about our two victims. Hopefully, there might be something that connects them." Jack said before thinking of how long the day was already becoming.

Governor Lord Arthur Somers was the governor of Victoria from 1926-1931.

Lord Alfred Stanton- does not exist. He is of my own creation.

Commissioner Frederick Hawkes- does not exist. He is of my own creation. ALTHOUGH the real commissioner was Thomas Blamey served from 1925-1936