Chapter 12

Summary: Jack arrives at Wardlow on the day of the grand plan...but does it actually go to plan?

A few days later, Detective Inspector Jack Robinson was experiencing a moment of deja vu as he once again found himself standing on the doorstep of a particular house in St Kilda. Similar to the last time he had arrived at Wardlow, Jack was feeling slightly off kilter, and had been in this state for the majority of the day. Unlike the previous occasion, however, he was now bedecked in his evening wear instead of one of his regular suits.

The inspector could have attributed his agitation to the fact that he had not seen Miss Fisher since her clandestine visit to his home (and their rather unforgettable albeit brief 'interlude' on his desk). In fact, he had not spoken to her since then either. The two detectives had agreed that in order to properly execute their plan, they needed to become more incognito. It was paramount that they put everything into motion away from the prying eyes of the press, the public, and their suspects. Even so, this was, perhaps, why Jack had found himself inwardly cursing each time his traitorous heart surged with every trill of the telephone.

At first, Jack had tried to argue the need for cutting off all their lines of communication beyond verbal messages to be delivered inconspicuously via Collins and Miss Williams. Ironically, it was Miss Fisher who had patiently outlined the merits of this aspect of the plan even though it meant having no contact between them until everything could fall into place. Apart from her concern that someone had obviously gotten hold of her personal stationery and managed to forge her handwriting, she had been quite persistent in her ongoing concerns for protecting his reputation.

"You need only give the illusion that you've stopped associating with me, Jack," she had tried persuading him. "And I'll do the same to see if we can ward off those nosey newspaper hounds."

"It would certainly be refreshing to stop feeling like a goldfish in a bowl," Jack had admitted. "And then we can refocus on hunting down Foyle and putting him away for good."

"Precisely," Miss Fisher had agreed before her determined expression had turned sultry. "Besides, don't think you can be rid of me that easily, Inspector."

Thus, as much as he had chafed at the thought of allowing the top brass to think they could control whom he chose to associate with or how he lived, Jack had returned to City South the next day as the pinnacle model of a senior officer of the law. Truth be told, it wasn't that difficult to make good use of his ability to revert back to his tried and true ways of bottling up his emotions and putting in extra hours around the clock at the office. There was always much to catch up with, and due to his brief leave of absence, he attempted to channel his inner feelings by taking it out on the neverending pile of paperwork on his desk.

Admittedly, the return of his more than usual sternness combined with the notable absence of a certain lady detective's presence at the station had squelched any outward mention about those photos. Not that there had been much open speculation since the men at City South were predominantly a loyal bunch to Detective Inspector Robinson. Certainly, nearly everyone continued to wonder about the connection between their DI and the lady detective. Many were envious, and if others thought it unseemly, the fact that Miss Fisher herself was never anything but especially gracious and genuinely interested in their well-being if she encountered them outside her gate or at the station won her much favour among the City South ranks. Plus, most of them who had taken on the extra shifts to guard Miss Fisher's home could never fault the delicious advantage of their brief tea breaks in her butler's fine kitchen. None of that was worth risking becoming the target of Inspector Robinson's searing stare upon his return so the others were more than grateful to have Collins continue acting as their emissary for anything urgent.

The fact that Jack had dutifully continued with his regular tasks did indeed help to mitigate any further interference from the deputy commissioner. Even so, the inspector decided to adapt some extra secure modes that he applied to his more stealthy investigative skills. It meant calling in a few favours from a select few connections he had to ensure his queries went undetected. Tonight, he would find out if any of his extra efforts would yield any fruit.

Jack flexed his shoulders slightly as the niggling sense of imbalance he'd been experiencing most of the day became augmented by the telltale sensation of being watched. Pausing as though to shed his immaculate black jacket from an invisible thread on his shoulder, the inspector glanced back briefly behind him before lifting his arm to knock on the door again. He frowned whilst momentarily wondering over the delay when the door swept open before his hand had even connected with the luxurious wood.

"Hello, Inspector!" Dot greeted him with a slightly surprised smile. "Please, come in."

"Good evening, Miss Williams," Jack greeted her as stepped into the entryway. "Collins said he would see you later. It would seem he was hoping to be able to enjoy a stroll with you after the gala?"

"Yes, but only when his shift ends, of course." The maid blushed briefly before her features resumed an earnest expression. "I gather then that you didn't get my message before you left the station?"

"Regarding?" Ignoring the sudden jump of his pulse, the inspector arched a brow with a calmness he felt threatening to ebb away. Something that happened more and more frequently since that fateful day when he had been called in to investigate the case at the Andrews residence.

"Oh, I had telephoned you with a message from Miss Phryne, Inspector," Dot began to explain in a rush. "Mrs Stanley had telephoned about an hour ago. Miss Phryne then left in a hurry, saying it had something to do with Arthur having an unexpectedly difficult spell. So she left straight away and asked me to tell you that she would meet you at the gala instead. I had left the message with another constable as Hugh wasn't the one who had picked up."

"That's unfortunate, and I hope Arthur will be all right," Jack responded hiding his relief that Miss Fisher hadn't rushed out after some unknown entity or lead instead. He glanced down at his wristwatch. "I'll head straight there now unless you need more time? That is, if you would still like to accompany me even without Miss Fisher?"

"Of course, Inspector, I'd be happy to! Just let me go let Bert know that he doesn't have to rush his dinner after all." Dot disappeared momentarily in the direction of the kitchen just as Jane came traipsing down the stairs with a book in her hands. The young girl glanced up as her feet hit the ground floor, her face lighting up at the sight of him.

"Hello, Inspector Robinson, it's good to see you!"

"Hello, Jane, have you been well?"

"As well as can be, Inspector." Her expression sobered briefly as she paused in serious consideration of his query. "Although, I think I'll feel much better once you and Miss Phryne find out who's been behind all these terrible newspaper allegations. I don't like to see her so worried, especially when she thinks I don't notice."

"We're doing what we can to solve this mystery soon since I don't want her, or you, for that matter, to worry either," Jack tried to reassure her. "Hopefully, we'll be able to make some headway tonight."

"I hope so too, Inspector, because if anyone can get to the bottom of it all, I know that you both can!" Jane's brief moment of anxiety vanished and bloomed into a radiant smile. She was unshakable in her trust in these two detectives whose kind and timely intervention in her life had ultimately changed its entire course.

Jack nodded as his mouth quirked to the side in a tiny smile at her ebullient trust just as Dot rushed back into the entryway clutching her hat and a small handbag.

"All sorted now!" She confirmed with Jack before turning to smile at the young girl. "Did you find your book all right, Jane?"

"Yes, it's right where you thought I had left it, Dot."

"Wonderful! Now, why don't you go keep Bert company whilst Mr Butler finishes making dessert."

Jane bade them both a good evening as Dot and the inspector left Wardlow. Jack climbed into the driver's side after assisting Miss Williams into his motorcar. His mind began methodically running through everything that they had all put into place for the evening ahead until a slight scoff from his passenger drew his attention.

"It feels odd to know that people are paying so much money to go to a fancy college just to learn how to do things that I do every day," Dot remarked after the inspector had pulled into the street. Jack looked over to see her holding the richly-embossed invitation that he had left on the seat.

"Indeed, I have no doubt that you could be one of their expert instructors, Miss Williams," Jack replied. "Especially as part of this new department that Miss Fisher has founded."

Dot beamed at the inspector's confidence in her abilities as she thought of all the other invitations she had helped to write on behalf of Miss Phryne and Mrs Stanely. They had all been sent out to request the presence of a selective group of Melbourne's finest at an exclusive cocktail gala event celebrating the opening of the newest department of the Emily McPherson College of Domestic Economy. It was to be held at the institute itself that Jack had noticed during his recent visit to his headquarters on Russell Street.

"It's certainly wonderful how Miss Phryne has been able to sponsor a whole new department at the ladies' college, isn't it, Inspector?"

The morning after she and the inspector had hatched their plan, Phryne had gone to visit a friend of her aunt's who was associated with Sir William McPherson, the Melbourne businessman who had donated £25,000 to establish the new women's college in honour of his wife, Lady Emily. Apparently, Prudence Stanley was a key board member there, and Miss Fisher had already started having discussions with them about launching a new, avant garde course of study at the institution.

"Yes, it certainly is," Jack replied briefly to allow his companion to carry the conversation. It didn't take a detective to notice the fact Miss Williams had much to say about the subject.

"I mean, not just so that girls can learn how to sew, since that is very important, too," Dot rushed on excitedly, "but also so that they can also learn how to design beautiful new styles to make!"

Since she could thread a needle, Dorothy Williams had always loved everything to do with the world of textiles, fabrics, and the creation of clothing and other items to wear. She had always found that something wonderful always happened whenever her fingers came into contact with what others would deem a simple piece of fabric. To her, the material immediately took shape inside her mind's eye and transformed into a beautiful dress, scarf or quilt. Even though Dot knew she might not be what society deemed 'fashionable,' she certainly appreciated the latest design like the next woman. This desire had certainly mushroomed even more so since she came to work for Miss Fisher.

In fact, it was Dot who had first told Miss Fisher about the budding, local fashion designer named Laura Lanvin who was distantly related to the famous French designer, Jeanne Lanvin. Phryne had immediately marvelled at Miss Lanvin's unique style ideas that had been photographed in one of Dot's ladies' magazines. Wanting to foster her companion's obvious enthusiasm, Miss Fisher had surprised Dot with a surprise lunch meeting with the designer herself.

After meeting Laura who had eagerly shown the two women her portfolio of ideas to create clothing for young women who couldn't afford haute couture modistes, Miss Fisher had grown even more impressed by the young woman's creativity and entrepreneurial initiative. So much so that Phryne had offered to make enquiries with would-be investors as well as with the board of the women's college. As someone with so much vision, Miss Fisher wanted to do more for other Laura Lanvins of the world by paving the way for them to be able to study and enhance their fashion designing skills so they might some day see their own ideas and designs become reality.

"Yes, Miss Fisher told me that it was a result of your meeting with Miss Lanvin that she was able to find such a strong lead to our chief suspect," Jack acknowledged. Only Phryne would have been able to recall and recognize the design of the coat that Norma Goodwin owned. He was still impressed by the lady detective's ability to connect that seemingly small, yet extremely significant link to their case.

"That's right," Dot agreed eagerly. "You know how Miss always has such an eye and memory for that level of detail. I'm also so glad that she could use this lead to persuade Mrs Stanley to recommend that the board move ahead quickly with Miss Phryne's plans!"

Miss Fisher herself had made a sizable donation and wanted to invite others to invest in the ongoing scholarship fund towards the college's new Department of Fashion Design for aspiring fashion designers.

"Well, we both know that those two could influence the mountains themselves to move if need be," the inspector commented with a slight smirk, his tone filled with a mixture of amusement and admiration. "And will all of the intended guests be in attendance this evening?"

"Yes, in spite of the short notice, nearly everyone invited will be attending, including Miss Goodwin. I'm especially excited to be able to see Miss Lanvin again!"

Jack again nodded in response as he drove on in companionable silence. It had been a bit of a gamble that Norma Goodwin would take the bait as it were, but as usual, Miss Fisher had been right. The reporter had been one of the first to confirm her attendance at the event that would grant her access to both a viewing of Miss Lanvin's new season's designs, as well as give her an exclusive opportunity to cover the story about the new department at the college. Even so, the inspector still felt the underlying sense of unease from the day gnawing at his consciousness, but allowed Miss William's innocent, yet contagious enthusiasm to keep it at bay.

Dot continued to chatter on for the duration of their short journey until they pulled into Russell Street and came into view of the Old Melbourne Gaol that now housed the ladies' college. After they had parked and were making their way towards their destination, Jack found himself wishing that more people could view the world with Miss Williams' unfettered delight. At the same time, he reminded himself that this was why he, and others like Phryne, continually felt compelled to find justice for those who couldn't. It was worth it if it meant someone like his constable's sweetheart could continue finding the joy to be held by wielding something so seemingly insignificant as a needle and piece of thread.

-o0o-

Jack slowly straightened himself from the seemingly relaxed pose he had adopted by leaning against the wall. He held a still untouched champagne glass he had only accepted so as not to appear too out of place. His other arm was tucked behind him within ready reach of his service revolver that he had hidden between the back band of his trousers. Hopefully, it wouldn't be too noticeable against the fabric of his evening jacket. Seeing how he had managed to evade the first several strains by the three-piece orchestra without being snared by one of the many bejewelled ladies mingling about, Jack was optimistic that the weapon could remain hidden without any undue alarm to an unsuspecting dance partner. This line of thought only served to make him tense again, however, as the inspector again wondered about the noticeable absence of the one lady with whom he would have been more than willing to consider experiencing the dance floor.

As though she had read his thoughts, Miss Williams floated past in the arms of an undercover Hugh Collins. Although they looked for all the world like another set of 'Bright Young Things,' Jack was glad to know he could depend on them to keep an eye out on their two main suspects. The couple circled back in time to the music just close enough so Jack could see Dot cast one final, discerning gaze at the small crowd before looking straight at the inspector with a distinct shake of her head. As they whirled past and disappeared into the throng, Jack glanced down again at his wristwatch and frowned. Despite her penchant for dramatic entrances, it was unlike Miss Fisher to wait this long before making her appearance.

Returning his untasted drink back onto a server's passing tray, the inspector also noted the concerning absence of one particular reporter. He knew that Miss Goodwin was in attendance after Mrs Stanley had identified her to the inspector earlier. Unsurprisingly, the journalist had arrived on the arm of her a well-groomed Martin Edwards who seemed rather discomfited by his formal wear or the milieu, or perhaps, both. The two had been milling about on the edges of the crowd for the most part, but were now nowhere to be seen. Perhaps they were somewhere in the furthest corner away from him although Jack's instincts indicated otherwise.

The inspector looked about and spotted Miss Fisher's aunt whom he had already greeted just after she had arrived right before the music had started. They didn't have much chance to speak before the society matriarch had to turn her attention towards the gathering guests who had also noticed Prudence's arrival. But it was enough for her to inform Jack that Miss Fisher had insisted her aunt go on ahead without her so she could ensure her cousin was properly soothed and settled.

"Phryne said she wouldn't be too long behind me, Inspector, and no doubt she should arrive shortly since she has been teasing me incessantly that my chauffeur couldn't overtake a milk cart," Mrs Stanley had informed him in a huff without noticing how the inspector had admirably managed to hide his smirk at that familiar sentiment. "But she also has such a way with Arthur so, of course, I told her to take her time. I just hope she makes it before the speeches as she's supposed to introduce Miss Lanvin."

Now, Jack tried not to show his agitation as he began to edge his way back towards Mrs Stanley who had been speaking with several of her acquaintances by one of the large hall's French doors. He slowed down and stopped next to one of the doors just as the music quieted down and the master of ceremonies stepped up to the dais towards the centre of the room.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is such an honour to have you present tonight to show your wonderful support for the Emily McPherson College of Domestic Economy. To start our evening, I would like to invite one of our founding fathers, Sir William McPherson, to come and impart his appreciation for your generous patronage."

Jack used the sound of the crowd's applause to slip through the doors at that point, glancing into empty classrooms and down darkened corridors as he made his way back towards the college's main entrance. There was still no sign of Miss Fisher anywhere after he traced his steps and arrived at the second set of doors furthest away from the dais. At the sound of fresh applause, the inspector pushed open the door and slipped back inside the hall just as Miss Laura Lanvin was approaching the podium. Evidently, the master of ceremonies had introduced her given Phryne's absence. Even so, the young designer began her speech that glowed with praise and gratefulness for her new patron, the Honourable 'Mademoiselle' Fisher. After thanking the board, her family and several others noteworthy individuals, Miss Lanvin concluded with another remark about Miss Fisher's inspiring generosity and love for fine fashion without which her dreams of seeing her designs become reality would never have happened.

It only took that split second before the fashion designer finished her talk and the roar of applause thundered throughout the hall when Jack felt a set of intense eyes boring into him from across the room. He glanced about until his own eyes registered the features of Norma Goodwin, which flickered through a range of emotions from disgust to smugness. Ultimately, it was the woman's secretive sneer, however, that instantly triggered Jack's sense of alarm. His pulsed thumped into a noisy staccato that clashed with the ongoing cheers and applause from the crowd as Mrs Stanley made her way to the stage on behalf of her niece.

Phryne was still nowhere to be seen.

Jack quickly backed towards the doors he had just entered, nearly colliding with Collins who had quickly edged towards his senior officer during the crowd's enthusiastic clapping.

"Stay here with Miss Williams and keep an eye on the crowd, Collins," he instructed. "I'm going to search the old holding cells downstairs. Come look for me if Miss Fisher shows up or I'm not back within a quarter of an hour."

Hoping his instincts might be wrong, the inspector slipped back out into the corridor and sped up into a full sprint towards the main staircase. Still seeing no one about, he rushed towards the downward set of steps until he approached the last door at the bottom. Cursing out loud when he found it locked, Jack backed away and then ran towards it again with an almighty kick that only served to vibrate the steel (it had been the door to the former gaol cells after all, dammit!) and to issue him with a piercing pain up that jarred his knee. Rubbing it slightly, he then stepped right up to the door to listen carefully, and when he was satisfied no one was on the other side, the inspector whipped out his revolver, aimed it and blasted a shot straight through the lock. Slamming the door aside, he found himself racing blindly down a dark corridor that led to the former cells and now consisted mainly of storage spaces for the college supplies and other paraphernalia. The first few cells didn't hold anything significant, and he was just reaching a section that had been built up into actual rooms with proper doors when an unmistakable voice echoed out towards him.

"I suggest you heed my advice immediately, Mr Edwards, or you'll find yourself riddled with more than one bullet hole."

At the sound of her voice, Jack immediately slowed his steps and crept towards the end room where he had heard her.

"That's not likely considering not much else could fit inside that damn, toy gun of yours," came the mocking retort.

"I'm happy to demonstrate just how wrong you are," she warned him in a steely tone. "Now, put down your gun!"

Jack crouched low and peered around the edge of the door frame whilst holding his breath. He was hidden from view by the door itself, which was propped open by a large filing cabinet that looked like it had been pulled from the wall at an odd angle. From his vantage point, he could sense that Miss Fisher was nearby, most likely keeping her pearl-handled weapon trained on what looked to be a heavily sweating Martin Edwards who was standing behind an old desk at the front of the room. Edwards, in turn, was pointing what looked to be a .38 'Detective Special' Colt revolver towards Phryne. Introduced in 1927, Jack recognized it as a snub-nosed, double-action, short-barrelled gun favoured by many plainclothes police detectives due to its portable and concealable size. The fact this former police officer and prison guard was in possession of one certainly flagged more alarms, which Jack immediately pushed aside to examine later so he could focus on the matter at hand.

"I was warned about you!" the man spat out as he began to edge around the desk. "Well, it won't matter for long anyway, for both you and your do gooder copper."

"You leave him out of this!" Phryne shot back, her voice laced with warning. "Now, put the gun down."

Before Edwards could respond to Miss Fisher's command, another angry voice burst into the room just as a sudden blur materialized inside the room hefting aloft the train of her glittering evening dress. Jack immediately took note of the fact that Norma Goodwin had not arrived the same way he did or he would have heard her, just spotting the hidden door on the other side of the room swing shut. He began to silently inch his way back out into the corridor to see if he could find a way to access it, the echoes of the stormy confrontation reflecting around the empty spaces and former cells.

"What on earth do you think you're doing, Martin? I told you to detain her when she showed up, not stage a bloody show down!"

"Easy for you to say since you're always leaving me to do the dirty work," Edwards retorted. "Besides how was I to know she would be armed?"

"Because you're a bloody imbecile when it comes to women, idiot!" Norma sneered at him before turning to pierce Phryne with a poisonous glare. "But it doesn't matter anymore, she's here now even if she's still ruining everything!"

"We need her pet policeman as well," Edwards reminded her petulantly. "Stick to the bloody plan, Norma!"

"I noticed him disappearing from the hall, which is why I came down to check on things as, no doubt, the lovesick inspector will grace us with his presence shortly," Norma speculated whilst ignoring Edwards' tone. She then returned her attention to the lady detective. "But no matter, plans always change, especially where a fickle man is involved! But, they all have their uses, as you of all people can certainly attest to."

"It's over, Norma," Phryne interrupted her. "Your little vendetta ends now."

"May I gently remind you that you're currently outnumbered, Miss Fisher, so that means I'm in charge and require you to relinquish your gun. You won't be needing it any longer where you're going."

"And just exactly where would that be?" Phryne enquired in a deadly calm tone. "I think you should start concerning yourself with where you'll be heading after the police, my solicitors and I are finished unmasking you."

"Always think you can walk away with what you want, don't you? Well, if I can't ruin you, I can certainly ruin your precious inspector's life," Norma hissed, then marched the rest of the way towards her partner when Miss Fisher remained silent without moving an inch. "Just bloody shoot her, Martin!"

"That's not the plan, and you know it!" Edwards resisted. "And in case you hadn't noticed, she's got hers pointed at us too, you stupid woman!"

"No wonder you failed so spectacularly at being a copper yourself! Look, just shoot her and then we can pin it on her straight-laced inspector who gave in to a 'pique of jealous rage upon discovering his lady love down here with another man.'"

"This ain't just one of your bloody headlines anymore, Norma!" Martin angled his gun, aiming it between both Miss Fisher and the other woman. "'Sides, I've only been putting up with your stupid scheme because it made me some extra dosh and fit into my own agenda anyway."

"How dare you turn on me?" Norma screeched at him in anger. "You'd be nothing if it weren't for me! Now shoot her, or I will!"

"Shut your trap, I've had enough of your domineering ways!" He threatened back, swinging his revolver between the two women agitatedly as Norma reached for her handbag.

Suddenly, the blast from a gunshot followed by another rippled through the tiny enclosure, cutting off Norma's threats and stinging everyone's ears just as the room was plunged into complete darkness.

Author's Notes:

At long last, I've been able to get this next chapter crafted, reviewed and now posted after what's been another few intensive weeks of juggling family, career, and putting up with a broken down car off a motorway on one of the busiest roundabouts in our region on the hottest day of the year.

Huge thanks to the lovely disheveledcurls and comeaftermejackrobinson for editing and reviewing!

Also, I wanted to point out that the historical information about Sir William McPherson establishing the Emily McPherson College of Domestic Economy is true along with the details I researched about Martin Edwards' 'Detective Special' gun that will make sense once Phrack finally solve this case (hopefully in the next and final chapter)!

Finally, thank you for still sticking with this story and all of your wonderful comments!