I promised I would post this chapter this week and here it is. I am working the next chapter so you'll just have to wait until I can get it done. I can't wait to here what you think.
I am wishing for reviews as they help me to become better.
ENJOY!
"Mr. Butler, the duck was divine and the crème brûlée was absolutely heavenly," Phryne commented as Mr. Butler cleared the major portions of the meal. "Girls, Jack, why don't we go into the parlor for lemonade and statements?"
"I think that would be an excellent idea," Jack responded, standing. Jane and Ruth linked arms and headed across the hall to the parlor while Jack waited for her to walk around the table. Phryne slid her hand around Jack's proffered arm. She fought the need to sigh as she felt the muscles of Jack's upper arm through his suit. She jumped at any opportunity to make tactile contact with him.
Jack led Phryne into the parlor where she sat down between her daughters to give them moral support. Jack sat down in his usual chair with Hugh in a seat next to him. Dot entered, carrying a tray of lemonade.
"Now, Jane and Ruth, I know this won't be easy, but in order to catch the man who did this, I'll need your account of what occurred this morning. Do you think you can recall what happened?" Jack asked, his voice smooth and calm. Phryne couldn't help but feel utterly relaxed as she looked at her daughters as they, too, relaxed a little. Jane nodded while Ruth took a little longer to agree.
"Jane, why don't you go first? That way Ruth can see how easy it is," offered Phryne, taking Ruth's hands in hers. Jane smiled at Ruth and then turned her attention towards Jack.
"Alright, Jane, let's start from the beginning," Jack prompted.
"Well...Ruth, Dot and I had just finished riding the carousal and had walked over to the line for the Ferris wheel. We were waiting for mum and then I heard a scream. At first, I thought it was just someone on one of the rides who had gotten scared, but when everyone moved away, I could tell something was wrong. That's when I saw the blood on the man's hands. I stood there staring at him until Mum burst through the crowd and told me and Ruth to find towels. I had to drag Ruth away because she was so scared," Jane revealed. Phryne couldn't help but wrap an arm around Jane and pull her close.
"Do you remember seeing anything just before the scream?" prodded Jack, looking kindly at Jane.
"Umm…," Jane started to say, but Phryne's heart lifted when she saw how Jane was looking at Jack and the way Jack was so gentle with Jane. Phryne was happy that Jane had wheedled her way slowly into Jack's heart or, at least, she hoped that her daughter had grown on him. She had watched over the last two years as Jane and Jack developed a bond that Phryne had secretly wished for. On occasion, Jack would take Jane and Ruth out for ice cream or to the pictures. Phryne knew Jane looked up to Jack in a way that was far less of a friend and more of a father. Although she knew Jane's biological father was somewhere, Phryne couldn't help but feel a ping of guilt for exposing Jane to her lifestyle of dalliances rather than showing her a more stable relationship.
Phryne Fisher was not willing to pursue a monogamous relationship. Her tumultuous relationship with René and her life with a drunken, abusive father destroyed any chance of anything real. These two reasons also proved just how terrified Phryne truly was of getting too close. Still, how would she classify her relationship with Detective Inspector Jack Robinson? Wasn't that monogamous in a sense? Well, she did only work the cases she knew he was investigating; and, when she couldn't work with him, work cases of her own.
"Mum? Mum?" Jane's voice brought Phryne out of her reverie.
"Miss Fisher, are you alright? You look a bit pale," Jack asked from his crouched position in front of her, his face full of concern.
"I'm alright. Just got caught in my thoughts. A dangerous thing, thoughts," said Phryne, her implications bordering on intimate. Jack was the only one to catch her double entendre and his pupils dilated in response.
"If you're okay to continue, I'd like to get Miss Ruth's statement," Jack turned to Ruth, who was leaning heavily against Phryne as if trying to hide.
"Ruth, as soon as you tell the Inspector what happened, I'll have Mr. Butler bring you a cuppa and you can go back to sleep," Phryne gently spoke. She felt Ruth nod and pull out from where she nearly burrowed beneath her mother's shoulder.
"Ruth, can you tell me what you saw? Take your time," Jack smiled politely. Phryne immediately felt her younger daughter sit up a little straighter and looked into Jack's calming eyes.
"We had just gotten off the carousel and were waiting for mum to arrive. I was looking at all the people and even saw an old friend or two, when I saw a big man with a hat covering his face, walk into the crowd. I heard a scream but instead of looking straightaway in the direction of the scream, I followed the man. He glanced back only briefly and I saw he had a long scar," Ruth paused to trace her finger down the left side of her face.
"He had something in his hand that reflected the sun into my eyes. He disappeared after that and then I saw the man covered in blood. That's when mum showed up and yelled something. I was so shocked that Jane had to drag me away. When we got back with the towels, mum had us sit against the Ferris wheel stall because (during that time, I don't think they would shorten the word because) she didn't want us to see the man. I don't remember much after that except Cec carrying me to the motorcar and holding me while we waited and then mum coming home and Doctor Mac giving me a powder," Ruth said before settling back into Phryne's arms. What Jack did next shocked everyone in the room. Jack Robinson stood and tenderly placed a loving kiss on both girls' heads.
"I'm sorry your trip to the Cup was ruined. I remember them being so much fun as a young boy," turning to Dot, he smiled. "Miss Williams, if you'll see to the cuppa and getting Ruth back into bed, I'd like to have a few words with Miss Fisher."
Dot nodded before setting about the task. Phryne sent Ruth with Dot and Jane as they escorted the still traumatized girl out of the parlor. Phryne caught some whispers in the foyer before hearing footsteps making their way up the stairs.
"Hugh, you're welcomed to stay or you can go to the kitchen and wait for Dot," Phryne suggested. Hugh looked a moment to Jack, who nodded his consent since Phryne knew the two of them were off duty and Hugh was very keen to talk to his fiancée in private.
"I don't appreciate you manipulating my constable, Miss Fisher. He's a man of the law and despite his good nature, it seems he can't say no to a pretty face like his fiancée or her employer," Jack growled seductively, staring straight at Miss Fisher and wasn't surprised when she rose to stand opposite him.
"Would you rather I manipulate his Inspector? I would find that a most intriguing challenge," Miss Fisher threw out as she stepped into Jack's personal space, standing almost nose to nose with him. Jack could smell the sweet perfume that was Miss Fisher and was sorely tempted to close the inches and press his lips against hers. He could feel the heat of her body on his skin, making him want to touch her in every way possible.
But then Jack remembered why he was there and stepped back reluctantly. "I believe you're always manipulating me; however, I've just never given in," Jack cleared his throat. He had to take several deep breaths in order to get his pulse rate under control. When he looked back into Phryne's eyes, he could tell there was a battle waging on within her as well.
"I brought the files on Stephen Callahan and Marcus Brady, thinking perhaps we could go over them together," Jack redirected the conversation as he collected the packet of the files from the front entry. When he returned, Jack found that Miss Fisher had lost her shoes and was now lounging on the settee. She tucked her feet under her in order to let Jack sit next to her.
"Who's Marcus Brady? Oh, he must be the second victim and he must have been the first to die," Miss Fisher answered her own question with a smile.
"The coroner hasn't had a chance to perform an autopsy, but I should have the report tomorrow. I'll ring you and let you know what they are," he promised.
"Wouldn't it simplify things if I just came with?"
"Miss Fisher, I wish I could allow you to accompany me; however, after you left this morning, I was called into a meeting with Governor Somers and Commissioner Hawkes. The Governor, himself, personally asked that I solve the case as quickly and as quietly as possible. Despite giving me the authorization to use whatever means necessary, I doubt he would be pleased knowing a woman, a lady detective, assisted on the case."
"It's not that I don't want you to assist, but I would rather not lose my job because of your involvement. I was already warned that if this case went sideways, I would be the sacrificial lamb, and I'd much rather not be," Jack tried to reason, knowing Miss Fisher wouldn't quite understand and, of course, she didn't.
"So then why discuss the case at all? Why not bounce ideas off of Hugh instead? He's quite bright and observant, you know," she snapped. Jack could tell by the way her eyes shot daggers at him that she was hurt, as was he since he always appreciated and enjoyed having Miss Fisher consult on cases, despite saying otherwise. Jack knew he had to say something or else he would lose a friendship he didn't want to lose.
"Phryne," Jack paused to get her attention, "If you want to assist, you'll have to do it behind the scenes rather than in front of them. How about a compromise, then? If you promise not to do any investigating on your own or use Miss Williams, Cec or Bert, or anyone else for that matter, and promise to wait patiently, I promise to ring you to discuss the day's findings. Do we have a deal?" Jack watched as Phryne thought over his idea.
"It doesn't seem fair, Jack. I have to sit on the sidelines while you play? Besides, what am I supposed to do while I wait?" she pouted as she grumbled.
"Yes. I know it's not what either of us want, but we can't always have our own way. Bear in mind you have two daughters who have been shocked deeply by the event. Now would be a good time to spend time with them. You were a nurse and know the effects of a soldier who's been shell shocked. You and I both know you're extremely concerned about them so take the time to make sure they're alright, especially Ruth."
"I don't want to have to arrest you for interfering with an investigation," threatened Jack, who couldn't help but remember the last time he'd put her in a cell. It had been when Murdoch Foyle had kidnapped Jane and Phryne was extremely distraught and irrational; so much so that she had kicked him in the shin forcing him to lock her up. Jack had been livid as he'd watched Collins carry her to the cells. He'd also had a large bruise that had lasted weeks after capturing Foyle. Jack hadn't enjoyed locking her up, but he didn't know any other way to keep her from getting herself killed.
"Jack?" Phryne queried.
He turned to see that she was waiting for an answer to a question he'd not heard.
"I'm sorry. Did you just ask me something?"
"Yes. I wanted to know if you'd have to use your handcuffs?" she teased, leaning towards him. Before he realized it, his pulse began to race as his libido went into overdrive.
"Miss Fisher, please," groaned Jack as he pulled away from the sweet smell of her perfume. "If you're trying to suggest something unlawful, perhaps it would be best if I said good night." With that, he stood, collected the packet which had sat unopened in his lap, and moved towards the front entry.
"Jack, wait! Alright, I promise not to do any investigating on my own or with the use my staff. But that means you'll have to keep me informed. Otherwise, I'll only come after you. Can we please look at the files now? I am a bit curious," agreed Miss Fisher. Jack couldn't help but smile inside as he returned to sit next to her and handed over the packet.
Jack watched as Phryne opened the packet and laid the files next each other. Jack knew he should be looking at the files along with her, but he just wanted to watch Miss Fisher as she took in all of the information. When she stopped to go between Marcus Brady and Stephen Callahan's files, he came back to his senses when he heard Phryne give a squeal of delight.
"What did you find?" he asked curiously as he leaned forward to look over her shoulder.
"Apparently, Marcus Brady was a jockey for Stanton Enterprises and Stephen Callahan was a veterinarian for the same company. Although Stephen no longer works there, this is the common denominator of the two victims!" she stated excitedly.
Suddenly, her face scrunched up in thought. "Stanton Enterprises...I know that name…," she pondered. Jack couldn't help but smirk as he watched Phryne's face contort even more as she continued to put together the pieces of the puzzle in her mind. When her expression brightened, she smiled, "Ah yes, I remember now! Stanton Enterprises is owned by Lord Alfred Stanton! Aunt Prudence knows him from some committee or board or something. Seems Lord Stanton is the only connection between them. May I come with you when you interview him?"
"I already have a meeting set up for tomorrow morning. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have you along, although you must remain silent during the interview," Jack admonished, "According to Mrs. Callahan, there was some big disagreement between Mr. Callahan and Lord Stanton."
"Did she say what it was about?"
"She didn't know and he didn't mention it, but apparently it was enough for him to tender his resignation," Jack said. After pouring over the files, Jack realized there wasn't any more pertinent information to be found and realized Phryne had come to the same conclusion.
"Shall I meet you at the station tomorrow morning and then we can ride over together?" Phryne proposed as she stood.
"I supposed that would work. I wonder where my constable has gone," Just as he'd pondered this out loud, Collins emerged from the dining room.
"I'm here, Sir. I was just about to take Dotty out for a walk when I heard my name. If it's alright with you, Sir, I'd like to stay a bit longer," Collins petitioned. Jack was impressed at how confident Collins had become both in his career and personal life. One day, Collins would be promoted and Jack would no longer be able to give the young man a hard time. What a dreary day that will be, he joked to himself.
"Alright. Just make sure you're in early tomorrow for Stanton's interview. Good night, Miss Williams. Miss Fisher. Thank you, Mr. Butler," Jack said as Mr. Butler helped him into his overcoat. As Jack walked out the front door, he couldn't help but look back at Miss Fisher, who was standing in the doorway silhouetted by the foyer light. He smiled before turning away, fighting the urge to walk back up the stairs to the lady detective, who kept him in a perpetual state of fighting his attraction, and take her in his arms. He climbed into his motorcar, drove back to the station, and walked to his small flat, all the while thinking about Miss Fisher, no Phryne. He wouldn't call her Phryne in person, but he would call her that in his thoughts, although they had come to know each other quite well and had spent many times alone in the very close proximity.
As Jack prepared for bed, Phryne was the only thing his mind would let him think about and so that is how he fell asleep that night. Thinking; Dreaming of Phryne.