[Phryne has snuck into the crime scene, a bathroom. Jack knocks on the door.]
This lavatory’s fully occupied.
[Phryne takes the time to reapply her lipstick before opening the door.]
You must be the inspector. Apologies for my urgent call of nature.
This is the scene of a crime.
Well, lucky for you, I’m wearing gloves. Miss Phryne Fisher.
I assume you weren’t close to the deceased.
Never had the pleasure, but by all accounts he was charming. [To Hugh.] Do you think it was poison?
Hugh CollinsMost likely—
[Talking over the top of Hugh.] We are yet to determine the cause of death. Miss Fisher, I appreciate your curiosity for crime. [He starts to walk her backwards towards the door.]
Well, every lady needs a hobby.
[Phryne ducks under Jack’s arm back into the bathroom.]
Given the lack of bloodstains, I assume it wasn’t a violent death, unless, of course, it was strangulation. But the foetal position of the victim, although not terribly well executed, indicated a degree of pain rather than the flailing limbs one might associate with a struggle. And then, of course, there’s the fact that death occurred after breakfast, according to Mrs Andrews, which suggests something ingested? All wild surmise, of course.
Do you have a card? In case I need to call the police. Because I’m a woman alone, newly arrived in a dangerous town.
I plan to make this town less dangerous, Miss Fisher. [He hands over a card.]
Good. I do like a man with a plan…Detective Inspector Jack Robinson. [She looks him up and down before smiling and walking out.]
Constable Collins, how lovely. Tell the inspector I’ll be right with him.
Hugh
Uh, the inspector’s not here, Miss.
But he thought it important enough to send you?
Hugh
Only to tell you, in his words, “to stay in your compartment, to please resist the temptation to interfere, and to not bandy about his name for your own convenience.”
Well, you can assure the inspector that none of this is very convenient.
Hugh
I…I was wondering if…I mean, would you… [He laughs nervously.] I suppose what I’m trying to ask is would you…
DDot
Oh, for goodness sake, Hugh Collins, would you do me the honour of accompanying me to the Fireman and Policeman’s Ball?
Hugh
No. I mean, yes! Yes, but no, I’m supposed to ask you.
DDot
Well, we could all die waiting for that to happen.
[Phryne arrives at the magazine's offices, to Hugh's surprise.]
Hugh
Miss Fisher! We tried to keep any suspicious circumstances away from the press.
And you did a first-rate job, Constable. I wasn't suspicious at all until I saw you.
Foyle can have me if he lets Jane go.
You can't go and offer yourself!
Rhodes is the last one on Foyle's list, and he has the ring. I need to go back there.
[Jack blocks Phryne's path.]
[Phryne tries to barrel past him, but Jack holds his ground.]
Don't be absurd! You have no grounds for holding me.
[Phryne tries to push past Jack again, but he wrestles her back. She kicks him in relation, to Hugh's horror.]
That's it! [Jack grabs Phryne and pulls her arms behind her back.] You're officially charged with assaulting a police officer. And withholding evidence! [to Hugh] Constable, remove Miss Fisher's gun from her handbag and escort her to the lockup.
[Though bewildered, Hugh takes Phryne from Jack and, probably out of fear of her escaping, pins her arms to her side and lifts her. As he carries her, kicking and yelling to the cell, he apologizes profusely.]
Hugh
I'm sorry, Miss. I'm sorry, Miss. I'm sorry, Miss. I'm-
Hugh
-sorry, Miss.
Hugh
Janey, you're alive.
[At City South station, Hugh hangs up the phone after a call from Dottie.]
Hugh
Miss Fisher's gone on holiday again, sir.
Hugh
Only one so far, sir.
Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries · 55 quotes
