See notes and disclaimers in previous posts. We're slowly getting to the case, but Phryne and Jack in a relationship are too much fun to play with.

3

Jack pushed through the door to City South, sparing a glance for Collins who stood behind the desk, phone receiver to his ear. Collins's eyes widened and pink stained his cheeks. A wry smile played around Jack's lips. Surely Miss Williams had updated her fiancé on their bosses' change in relationship before now? But then hadn't Phryne mentioned something in passing about Dot spending the weekend with her family? Mr. Butler had brought their breakfasts or served their meals in her dining room over the past few days. And the few times Jack and Phryne had actually donned clothes during that time, they'd dressed each other.

Jack caught Collins's wide gaze and tipped his head toward his office before heading in. He slipped off his overcoat and hung both it and his hat on the rack as Collins stammered a closing statement into the phone. "Collins!"

"Yes, sir. Coming, sir." The newest senior constable at City South hurried in, notebook in hand. "I was just getting an update on a … another … ah … issue?"

Jack waved off the explanation. "Never mind that. I'm sure more details are soon forthcoming." His lips twitched as Phryne's entrance fast approached. Though he doubted she would greet him blatantly upon her arrival, after their meeting in the Morgue, he was certain the change in their relationship would be obvious to young Hugh no matter what. "I need you to search the police academy records."

Confusion tinged Collins's voice. "Sir?"

"Yes. I've been assigned the constabulary murders. The culprit may be close to home. I need the names academy applicants who either weren't accepted or washed out for some reason. Also check with Russell Street and find out who applied for promotions but were passed over."

Collins swallowed hard. "Ah, sir? Would I be—"

"Miss Fisher and I have already cleared you, Hugh. After all, you did get a promotion, even if it wasn't the one you were chasing."

Collins heaved a relieved sigh. "And it's an even better one than I chased, if I may say so."

Jack nodded and settled in his desk chair. "You may. Now, I need those names forthwith. We've got two of our brethren in Dr. MacMillan's morgue and I would prefer not to see a third."

Hugh hurried back to the main desk, leaving Jack's door wide open. A flurry of phone calls commenced as Jack flipped open the file from the commissioner's office and began to read.

Other than their positions in the force, there seemed to be no connection between the two victims. Constable Carlisle was the first of his family to leave dock work while Senior Constable Edwards was police royalty, given his deputy director uncle. Carlisle was from Central and had been investigating a robbery in Collingwood under DI Lawrence's direction. Senior Constable Edwards was stationed at North, but, according to the file, was not pursuing any cases for any inspector. Matter of fact, he'd been mostly manning the desk and handling walk-ins since his promotion.

Jack's brows lifted. Was that because he was incompetent with police work? Or because North had all of the investigations covered? He glanced up to his own Senior Constable, satisfaction rippling through him. Collins had grown over the past year in his observation and investigative skills. Both would serve him well as he climbed the ranks in the force. Jack would hate to see Collins leave when he attained Detective Inspector, but he would proudly release his protégé when the time came.

If he himself still remained in the ranks, that was. Phryne's itchy feet were sure to outweigh her interest in solving murders at some point, leaving her longing to return to globetrotting. Wither thou goest … Jack smiled at the thought. Life with Phryne would be an adventure no matter where they set foot. But he certainly planned to be by her side for the whole of it. And he still would love to race the Tour de France one day. But until then, he'd happily continue pursuing investigations.

A familiar footstep drew him from his ponderings. "Good morning, Hugh. Have you spoken with Dot since the weekend?" Phryne's proper boarding school accent held more than a hint of teasing.

Collins stammered something affirmative.

She leaned against the main desk. "Oh good, then you won't be surprised when you're ringing Wardlow for the Inspector."

Jack rolled his eyes. No, he hadn't planned on hiding their relationship, but her practically announcing it to whole of City South might result in calls from on high much sooner than he anticipated. He rose from his chair and headed for the door. He tilted his head to Collins, who jumped at the excuse to avoid continuing the conversation. "Don't torment my employee, Miss Fisher. He has enough concerns right now with compiling a suspect list for us."

Phryne twisted on her heels, her blue silk skirt swirling around her calves. She beamed a warm, and innocent, smile at him, then preceded him into his office. "I was simply ascertaining the extent of his knowledge about the change in … us."

Jack shut the door firmly behind him. "I'm sure you could judge by his reaction that he is already aware."

"Yes. His poker face is nonexistent." Phryne shook her head, then sashayed to his desk, settling on her favorite corner. "However, after you left the Morgue, I did feel the need to update Mac. Well, she guessed, and I confirmed. Told her everything in fact."

Jack's brows lifted as he walked around her to his chair. "Everything?"

Phryne huffed. "Well, not everything. There are limits. Hers."

He met her teasing gaze, then dropped his eyes to her stockinged legs, brazenly bared above her knees. His mouth twitched. "Good. What might those be for you?"

She leveled a sober look on him, her voice lowering with seriousness and perhaps a hint of warning. "Jack, I am who I am. You knew that going into this. You can't ask me to be less than I am."

He sighed. He'd mis-stepped. And probably would many more times before they found a rhythm they could both feel comfortable in. He shifted to face her fully, taking her hand in his. "I'm not asking that, love. I meant what I said about not keeping you—us—a secret. I fully expect to go to plays and other events together as a couple. I'm simply trying to figure out how to best navigate this new territory while I'm on duty."

She laced their fingers together, studying them. After a moment, she nodded, mirth returning to her features. "All right then. Let us behave as we always have in front of others. There's no surprise for anyone in that. And if we happen to say … touch or even kiss while you're on duty, feel free to blame me."

Jack smiled and squeezed her fingers. "Yes, you already were outrageous, weren't you?"

Her smile widened to a pleased smirk. "Why Jack, a girl does love being complimented." She leaned over and captured his lips in a long, thorough kiss.

Jack leaned into the caress, threading his free hand around her neck and pulling her closer. God, he loved every bit of this woman. Her smart mouth and smarter brain. Her compassionate heart and passionate joie de vivre.

She pulled back, her eyes glittering, and whispered his name.

Jack's pulse pounded in his ears. She reached inside his suit jacket, her fingers tracing his chest, searching for something. Hadn't they just discussed on-duty behavior? He opened his mouth to tell her … what, he couldn't say, but she tugged out his handkerchief and pressed it against his lips. "I love my shade on you, Jack. But it's a little too obvious here."

Jack took the handkerchief from her and finished wiping his mouth. "Perhaps a paler shade tomorrow?"

A mock-surprised look widened her eyes as she leaned back. "Hiding evidence, Inspector?"

He tucked the handkerchief back in his pocket with a sly grin. "Despite popular opinion, I can hardly expect to make you behave all the time."

Phryne slipped her thumb over his lower lip, desire darkening her eyes. "Nor do you really want to."

A firm knock on the door jerked Phryne's hand away and sent Jack straighter in his chair. They waited, but the door remained shut. Jack shook his head. "Come in, Collins."

Collins opened the door and stepped just inside. He shot an uncomfortable look to Phryne then back to Jack. "Yes, sir. I thought it best if I wait a moment."

Phryne beamed her approval. "Wisdom comes not only with age but also with your new stripes, Senior Constable Collins?"

Hugh glowed under her praise, and Jack just shook his head again. "Any word on those searches, Collins?"

"Ah, no sir. But we did just have a call. From the Royal Melbourne Hospital."

Phryne stood, her hand absently landing on Jack's shoulder. He glanced up to her, offering silent support.

"And, Hugh?" she asked, the tiniest quiver in her voice.

"The man who attacked your father and killed the maid at The Grand. He died this morning."

Phryne sagged, a long, relieved sigh escaping her.

"Thank you, Collins."

"Yes, sir. I'll just get back on those searches now." Hugh backed out through the door with a sympathetic glance for Phryne.

She leaned into Jack's side, and his arm circled her waist. He longed to pull her into his lap, but Collins hadn't closed the door completely behind him. "Guess we'll never know who he was, but at least you and the baron are safe."

"Fathers and their secrets." Phryne echoed her pronouncement from days earlier. "But yes, it is a relief to have some sort of closure."