Chapter 8: Jack and Phryne: Meeting Mr. Johnson
They arrive at the house. They see movement behind one of the curtains. They look at each other, both sets of blue eyes shining with excitement. They go to the door and knock, Jack saying "This is Detective Inspector Jack Robinson from Melbourne; I need to speak with whomever is in the house." The door opens and before them stands a tall blond-haired man, with a disheveled appearance and a worried look. "I am Inspector Robinson and this is Miss Fisher" says Jack in his deep calming voice. The man visibly blanches, but he says "I am so glad you are here. My name is David Johnson and I need your help." Jack and Phryne exchange looks. "Why don't we sit down and have some tea and you can tell us all about what is going on here," Phryne suggests.
She goes off to the kitchen to find some tea while the men begin to chat. "What are you doing here Mr. Johnson?" asks Jack in his most dangerously polite voice. "My wife, Silvia Warrington, is not here. The house has been totally ransacked. All of her jewelry is gone; all of it including a very special necklace. I can only conclude the worst has happened," Mr. Johnson says very shakily. Jack notes that David is showing signs of shock, but listens as the man continues speaking. "I was in the process of doing some travel and special work with our investments and have been away from home for about two months. I have a room at a boarding house in GlenRowan that I use sometimes when traveling. I just can't believe this is happening. Who would do such a thing? What if she is hurt…or worse?" his voice trails off.
Phryne brings in tea and pours. She hands each of the men a cup and takes a sip from hers giving Jack a meaningful look that says she believes Mr. Johnson is being truthful with them. "Mr. Johnson, let me get you blanket. I think you are in a bit of shock," she says getting up to go get a blanket for him. She returns with a blanket and places it around him. She notes that he is extremely pale and says gently, placing a comforting hand on his arm, "Tell us everything you know, and we will tell you what we know. We will find her Mr. Johnson. Inspector Robinson is the very best detective in Victoria, and I have the utmost confidence that he will find your wife." Jack glances at Phryne. He knows she is trying to help Mr. Johnson stay focused on providing information and also establishing trust, but he feels unaccountably warmed by her praise. Phryne asks, "Mr. Johnson can you provide a list of the missing jewelry?" "Yes I can, at least of the important pieces." Phryne hands him a pen and paper and he begins to write. There is silence for many minutes except for the scratching of his pen. Suddenly Mr. Johnson says, "I take it that my valet, John Smith made contact with you, and that is why you are here. Why didn't he come with you?" Jack and Phryne exchange glances again. "Can you describe your valet Mr. Johnson?" Jack asks in his best Inspector's voice. "Yes, I can," says Johnson and he proceeds to describe the man that they discovered murdered in the alley.
Jack says in a very calm deliberate voice, "I'm sorry to inform you that your valet was found murdered in an alley GlenRowan the evening of the day before yesterday." The shock on Mr. Johnson's face is unmistakable as he spits out, "That can't be true. I left him here this trip to take care of Silvia. He isn't fond of traveling, and I had no formal wear plans during the time I was away, thus I could handle his usual duties. Surely he is with her," his voice trailing off as he sees the truth in Jack's and Phryne's expressions. A stricken look on his face, Mr. Johnson allows the paper he has been writing on to fall to the floor. Phryne picks it up and looks at the list. It contains among a fairly long list of jewelry, an Amethyst Necklace, an Emerald Ring, a Ruby and Diamond necklace, a Sapphire tiara, a Faberge Egg called Necessaire, and a red enamel box also of Russian craftsmanship. Phryne shows the list to Jack as Mr. Johnson has also made some notes as to where the jewelry was normally kept. The notes read that the Amethyst necklace is kept in a secret location within the house. He also notes that the emerald ring, the ruby and diamond necklace, the sapphire tiara and the Faberge Egg were taken with him on his trip. "Mr. Johnson, why were these pieces with you on your travels?" Phryne asks in a very mystified tone. "I was taking them to Melbourne for appraisal and to have the settings examined for wear. I have them well hidden in my room at the boarding house, and as I am traveling without my valet, I feel comfortable in carrying them and leaving them hidden in my room.
In fact, the only reason I came by the house today is that my next trip is to Melbourne, and I wanted to see Silvia before I left. All of my things are at the boarding house, as I was out on a short trip and I have faith in the boarding house's landlady. Based on the condition of the house and no one being here, and your rather timely arrival, I just assumed that John is the reason you came. I can't believe he is dead. He has been with me since I was a young man," Mr. Johnson said very softly. "Mr. Smith did not alert us to a problem, sir. It was actually your daughter in Melbourne," Jack says informatively, "She was worried when she couldn't get her mother on the telephone. We agreed to come to GlenRowan to check on her. We weren't really expecting to have a murder victim and a kidnapping case." Jack and Phryne proceed to tell Mr. Johnson about finding Mr. Smith's body in the alley and all that has transpired to the point where they are now.
There are a couple of points they need to verify though before trust is completely established. "Mr. Smith," begins Phryne, "Can you tell us what you left in your room at the boarding house?" "It is important that we know," Jack finishes. "Yes, I suppose it is," says Johnson in a defeated, shaky voice. "Besides the jewels and clothes I had my coat, some slippers and a pair of oxfords. I am wearing my boots and my work clothes. Other information that may be pertinent to you includes that I am Silvia's second husband. Her first husband died many years ago." His voice softening slightly he says, "She is the love of my life, my soul mate. I don't know what I will do if something happens to her…," he stops tears filling his eyes. He blinks them back and continues, "We have a son who is married and has four children. They live in Sydney. You have met our daughter. Technically they are my stepchildren, but I couldn't love them more if they were flesh of my flesh."
Jack then fills in the rest of the details, stating, "On the list you made you mention you took the Faberge Egg with you to take to Melbourne, I am sorry to say that the egg was not in your room at the boarding house. The enamel box was found clutched in Mr. Johnson's hand and is presently in our evidence room. We found a note in it that your wife wrote asking for help. The Amethyst necklace is safe in a strong box in my room at the inn. We found it when we searched here yesterday. We also found another note asking for help. It appears that your wife sent your valet to you or perhaps he was able to escape. It is hard to be certain at this point, but it seems unlikely he was killed in a robbery gone wrong as pair of mud-covered boots was found in your room with a trail of mud to the site of the murder. One could surmise that someone is trying to frame you for your wife's disappearance and your valet's murder."
Phryne jumps in now, "When we searched yesterday, we found a number of family pictures with another house in them." Johnson says, "That is our family retreat. It has been in my wife's family for many years." Phryne, her voice questioning, "We wonder if we should go there. Who would know about the retreat? Who in your family do you think is capable of such actions?" Jack, deciding it would be best for all concerned decides they will take Johnson with them, "Mr. Johnson," he says, "We would like for you to accompany us and give directions to the retreat, and provide background on people in the pictures. I suggest you pack a few things for yourself and for your wife. Is there anywhere here that we should search that we do not know about?" Blinking his eyes to keep his tears from falling he says, "No sir, there are no other places to hide here, but at the retreat house…," he trails off clearly distressed by his thoughts. Phryne correctly reading the man's body language says gently, "Inspector Robinson and I will go for a walk so you can prepare for our journey. Take all the time you need."
Phryne and Jack leave the house and wander toward the gardens. The gardens really are lovely. Phryne enjoys the flower blossoms as she and Jack stroll arm in arm along the winding path. They come to a copse of trees that arch over a garden swing. They sit in the swing and Jack idly pushes them back and forth while Phryne sits with her legs pulled up beside her. "Miss Fisher" Jack teases, "you once again make me do all the work." She laughs merrily at him and he grins back, the worry of the case drifting away momentarily.
"Come here" Jack says, opening his arms for her. Phryne looks at Jack and slowly moves herself until she is nestling against him and he has his arms around her. Jack kisses her on the top of the head and then says "We need to talk Miss Fisher". She doesn't want to talk. Pouting Phryne comments, "I can think of much more enjoyable things to do than talk, Inspector." Jack gives her one his most fathomless looks – the kind that make her heart thump and time stand still. Jack brings his mouth with its finely chiseled lips close to hers, tantalizingly close, but he doesn't kiss her. Their gazes lock, and Phryne swallows hard at the emotion she observes in his eyes and body language. She sighs, her breath just brushing him with sweet warmth.
"Phryne, I love you. I know you aren't ready to hear it, but I have to say it. My heart won't allow me to tease anymore. I'm caught, and I'm willing to suffer the broken heart I know you're likely to give me just to feed my hunger for you. I need you more than I can even express. I want to be with you all the time, to work on cases together, to dine together, to sleep together, to …"his voice trails off, but she sees the desire that flares in his eyes, "As much as I dream about making love with you, I can't bring myself to do it. I won't be one of your dalliances or a fling. I love you too much. I want to be your husband, and I can't give in to the passion I so want to because I believe that a sexual relationship happens after marriage – the way God planned." He sees the disappointment fill her face and he deflates completely, tears coming to glimmer in his eyes. It's over he thinks, but he doesn't let her go. He just closes his eyes and waits. At least she hasn't moved away from the circle of his arms yet.
Phryne wants to run, but can't move. She is reminded briefly of her head against a pillar her arms encircling it in defeat the one time Jack had really pushed her away from him. She is miserable. Phryne knows Jack is waiting on her to say something, but what can she say? She knows that his honor is indelible and that the moments they share are probably weighing heavily on his conscience. "Jack, I care for you more than any man I have ever known, but you know I can't commit to marriage. I won't be put in a cage." Jack nods in resignation, his eyes suddenly requiring a lot of blinking. He knew it was likely to go this way, but is not prepared for how much his heart aches. He tightens his hold on her slightly.
"Where do we go from here Miss Fisher?" reverting back to the formality that he uses to shield himself. Phryne replies in a disconcerted voice, "I don't know Jack, I really don't know. I don't want to give up what we discovered these last few days. I want you. I think I've made that crystal clear." She bites her lip thinking of how she has teased him for two years, her own eyes shimmering suspiciously. She places her smooth white hands on his chest, "Can we just see how things go? Take our time and see if it is too hard for us to be more than friends, less than lovers" she asks in a small voice. Jack abhors the idea of giving up one precious second of time with her. Even though his heart is afraid and shattering into tiny pieces, he responds, "I'm game if you are, Miss Fisher". She smiles at him then, her blue eyes large in her face and tinged with anxiety and dampness.
He can't help himself, he has to kiss her. Jack kisses Phryne, brushing her cheeks with his thumbs, and she moans and kisses him back deepening the kiss until passion sweeps them both up and they are frantically kissing each other, tongues tangling with each other, their bodies expressing so well what their words have not. They very clearly desire and want each other. "Enough", growls Jack's bass voice against her mouth as he continues to hold her much closer than propriety allows, "I am not going to ravish you Miss Fisher, even though that is what we both want". He breaks off the kiss, breathing raggedly and hugging her close to him again, resting his forehead upon hers, before releasing her and saying, "It's time we go back. We have a murder to solve."
Phryne nods, brushing her eyes with her fingers and fluffing her hair, and with a resolute shake of her head, she lifts her chin and strides regally back toward the Warrington home. She is very shaken by the turn of events, not certain what will happen, and as she views Jack's profile out of the corner of her eye, she knows that she can't imagine life without his caring, intelligent and witty presence. She isn't sure how much she can handle the torture of wanting him and not having him – especially since she now knows what his kisses taste like, and how it feels to be held close to him. And that he loves her. She knows he is not a man to say those words lightly. He means every word, of that she is certain. Would it be so bad to partner with Jack? When they are apart she longs for his voice, his presence, enjoys every moment they share and has them catalogued in her mind for frequent review. She falls asleep thinking about him nearly every single night, something her lovers would no doubt be disturbed to hear. And she hasn't taken a lover in a very long time now. None of the men she meets compare to the Inspector. She manages to find a reason not to bring them to her bed.
She is devastated at the thought of him not being in her life. What if he can't be patient with her? What if he gives her up again? Her heart contracts painfully with a fear that has nothing to do with her nightmares. A look of wonder comes over her features, realization dawning that she loves him, truly loves him and she isn't nearly as opposed to thinking about the concept of marriage if Jack is the man involved. The thought scares her out of her wits. She sighs almost imperceptibly. Beside her, matching her strides, the Inspector notes her sigh and feels a glimmer of hope, but he understands he can't push her. He is glad he shared his heart because now she won't wonder. She knows him well enough to know he would not say something that wasn't true. He will play the courting game with her as long as he can stand the pain of it. Jack isn't certain how long his patience will not wax thin; how long his heart can play with the fire that is Phryne Fisher and still survive, but he hopes to the depths of his soul he plays long enough. He knows she is worth the wait. She is after all his greatest passion and true love.
When they arrive back at the house, Mr. Johnson has gathered up the things they suggested he bring along with the information on where the family retreat is located They ring Constable Collins and Dot to let them know they are on their way back to GlenRowan. They stop to pick up Hugh and Dot. They take time to gather some supplies, including medical supplies and food since they don't know what they might find when they reach their destination. They start on their way to the house in the mountains near Falls Creek. They also stop at the police station and request back up. The Constable says that he will bring several men up the next day, but will stay well back until they are needed. They drive late into the night, finally stopping under the sheltering branches in a clearing of trees a short way from their destination and David assures them they can't be seen. The house sits between two hills so the view is restricted. They put the top up on the Hispano-Suiza and wrapping up in blankets all five of them take a short nap. They plan on waiting until the early hours of the pre-dawn morning to stake out the house.