Sorry it's taken a couple days to get this chapter up and I'm apologizing ahead of time for the delay of the next chapter. The real world calls for my attention putting off MFMM for a couple of days.
Reviews would be wonderful. It lets a budding author know their work is being read and appreciated.
ENJOY!
Chapter 6
After Mac left, Phryne remembered that she was still wearing the bloodied clothing.
"Dot?" Phryne called out, emerging from the parlor. Dot appeared from the direction of the kitchen.
"Yes, Miss?" queried Dot.
"I need a bath and something to eat; perhaps a few sandwiches. I desperately need to wash this blood off me before it drives me mad," Phryne gestured at her ruined dress.
"Of course, Miss. I'll have Mr. Butler make the sandwiches while I ready the bath. Will Jane and Ruth be alright?"
"I think so, Dot, eventually. It's hard to tell how one will cope after seeing a sight like that. I'll inform Mr. Butler while you go upstairs," Phryne shooed Dot up the stairs while she went to the kitchen to find Mr. Butler, who was conversing with Cec and Bert.
"…how awful. I do hope they'll be alright." Phryne caught the last of Mr. Butler's comment before he quieted.
"Mr. Butler, I'm feeling a little peckish and was hoping for a few of your delicious sandwiches after my bath. You can have Dot bring them to my room." Mr. Butler nodded and began to prepare them as Phryne turned to Cec and Bert.
"I'm so sorry you had to miss the opening races. But, thank you for bringing the girls home and fetching Jack."
Bert nodded while Cec asked, "Are they gonna to be alright, Miss? Ruth was lookin' a bit pasty when we brought her in. She was shakin' like a leaf."
"Nothing a little rest and tonic can't fix. I hope you'll both use those box tickets since I may not be able to attend at all this week," decided Phryne. I hope rest and tonic is all it takes, otherwise, Mac might have to assist with this, Phryne thought worriedly as she considered the well-being of her now sleeping daughters. Cec nodded before he and Bert exited the kitchen through the back door just as Dot was entering from the dining room.
"Water's all ready, Miss. Both Jane and Ruth are still resting," Dot spoke, glad the girls had finally succumbed to Mac's sleeping tonic. Phryne nodded and went up to her room.
Her room smelled heavily of lavender and Phryne began to relax; although, one thing was missing. Jack. As Phryne dropped her soiled attire to the floor and stepped into the warm, scented water, she couldn't help but recall the look on Jack's face at the fairgrounds not two hours ago. When she had finally caught sight of him, she was stunned to find his expression one of worry and concern. And when he had wrapped his arm around her, she couldn't help but shed a few tears of both amazement and comfort.
Phryne reached for the soap and proceeded to scrub her hands raw until there was no trace of blood on them. Leaning back, she shut her eyes, hoping the water would wash away the awful scene of the morning; and, in a way, it did, although it kept Jack at the forefront of her mind. Jack always kept her at arm's length when it came to physical contact, at least most of the time, but there were those occasions when he displayed affection openly. Even when she flirted with him, Jack had been able to maintain a professional demeanor despite, at times, responding in kind, which made Phryne wish she could cross the line between them.
There was a quiet knock at the door.
"Yes?" she called out. The door opened and she heard Dot's voice.
"Your sandwiches, Miss," the young woman walked in carrying a tray.
"Oh good. Just put the tray on the bed, Dot. I might take a quick nap in order to refresh myself and regain my composure before Jack and Hugh come by to get Jane and Ruth's statements," Phryne said before slipping her head under the water.
Re-emerging from the water, Phryne climbed out and dried herself before exiting the bathroom. Her bloodied clothes were gone, taken by Dot of course. However, Phryne was having mixed feelings about the dress. Although she really liked the gown and wasn't too pleased about it being ruined, she didn't know how she felt about wearing it in future seeing as someone had lost their life while she'd been wearing it. Still, Phryne knew Dot was already setting about removing the stains, so who was she to not wear it again after all of her companion's hard work.
Flopping down on the bed, Phryne quickly ate the sandwiches until her stomach voiced contentment. Feeling full and suddenly exhausted, Phryne let her eyes close and escaped to the land of oblivion.
"Mrs. Callahan, I'm Detective Inspector Jack Robinson and I'll be investigating your husband's murder. I realize this is difficult, but I need to ask you some questions relating to your husband," said Jack as delicately as he could, taking notice of Mrs. Callahan's distraught demeanor.
She only nodded.
"Can you think of anyone who would want to harm your husband?"
"No…Stephen was liked by everyone. He got on with friends and family alike," Mrs. Callahan said through tears.
"Was he currently employed? Did he have any problems at work?"
"He was going to start his own practice. Apparently, at his old job, he'd had a row with his boss and left without a reference. It was strange because he wouldn't tell me what it was about; but we always told each other everything."
"Where did he work?"
"Ummm…He was a veterinarian for some big enterprise that dealt with horses. I think it had an S and an E in it. I don't really remember, I'm sorry."
"It's alright. I'll have one of my constables' drive you home. If you remember anything, please don't hesitate to call." Jack guided Mrs. Callahan out to the sitting area and delegated Constable Simmons to take her home.
/
Jack collected his coat and hat from the stand and left his office. "Sir, the files you requested on the two victims just came in. I haven't had a chance to look them over yet," Collins informed Jack as he handed him a large stack of files. Collins turned to Constable Stanford and nodded for the man to take over before collecting his helmet and motorcar keys from behind the counter.
"I'll drive, Collins," Jack stated, carrying the files with one hand as they exited the station and headed toward the motorcar where Collins handed over the keys and climbed into the vehicle.
"Sir, what did the governor want?" inquired Collins as Jack pulled into traffic.
"They wanted me to confirm the deaths and solve them quietly but in whatever way I saw fit. For now, we won't mention that last part to Miss Fisher, understand, Collins?" Jack said with all seriousness, shooting Collins with a look that meant business. Miss Fisher had always able to wheedle information out of Collins and sometimes it frustrated Jack that she could manipulate his most trusted constable so easily. Let's just hope I get the girls' statements and get Collins out of there before Miss Fisher interrogates the constable, thought Jack.
Earlier that day, Jack had been surprised when Phryne hadn't shown up at lunch to discuss the case. He had hoped to see her; to at least catch a whiff of her perfume, but she'd not shown.
The rest of the drive to St. Kilda was a quiet one. When Jack finally pulled up in front of Miss Fisher's house, he couldn't help but smile, even though he knew he shouldn't.
Jack and Collins were on the front porch, about to knock when Mr. Butler opened it.
"Good evening, Inspector Robinson. Constable Collins," the manservant politely greeted them, showing them into the foyer.
"Is that you, Jack?" a voice mused from the dining room. Jack couldn't help but notice his heart starting to race in anticipation of seeing her.
"Yes, Miss Fisher," answered Jack, handing Mr. Butler his hat and coat. Jack set the files on the side table before walking into the dining room to find everyone sitting down to dinner. "If this is a bad time, I, we can come back."
"Nonsense, Jack. I was hoping you'd join us and luckily Mr. Butler decided to make additional servings. Do sit down Jack. Hugh," Miss Fisher teased. Jack couldn't help but stare into clear, blue eyes and found himself at a loss for words when he realized Jane was trying to get his attention.
"Inspector? Inspector?" Jack was able to pull himself away from Miss Fisher's eyes and give Jane his full attention.
"My apologies, Jane. What did you say?" Jack stated as he took the seat opposite Miss Fisher and next to Jane.
"I wanted to thank you for earlier. I was a bit of a mess and, because of you, I was able to calm myself. Have you figured out…," asked Jane before her mother interrupted,
"No work talk at dinner, Jane. Not tonight anyway. Let's just eat a relaxing meal and then we can discuss the events of today later."
Jack couldn't help but smirk as he watched Miss Fisher's eyes light up with excitement. Mr. Butler brought out a platter of roasted, glazed duck with sliced, sauteed vegetables and new potatoes with his special homemade sauce. He brought out a bottle of 1926 Shiraz wine and filled each adults' glass.
Jack was hesitant to partake of the wine since he and Collins were technically still on duty. During his moment of indecision, he looked up at the sound of Miss Fisher's giggle only to see a mischievous expression light up her face.
"It's only one, maybe two glasses, Inspector. I doubt it will inhibit your ability to be professional," Miss Fisher suggested dangerously, a glint in her eyes.
"That may be true, but I think I'll just stick with the one glass. Collins, I'll leave that decision up to you," Jack nodded to Collins, who stared at him, then Miss Williams, then back to his boss again.
"Yes, sir," Collins muttered before turning his attention back to Miss Williams.