Chapter Text
Tobias Butler had been in service his entire adult life. Some postings in his early days had been particularly hard, the gentry he worked for positively feudal in their treatment of him. That was before Aurelia, his beloved late wife, and before the War. After the War, things were better, the posts more relaxed. But even with those improvements, he was never considered a part of a family until the Honorable Miss Phryne Fisher.
He never presumed on Miss Fisher’s affection, she was still his employer after all, but her loving nature made those around her want to do more for her. Mr. Butler wanted her to be happy, as she had made others happy, and he could see that the one person who added a great deal to her happiness was Detective Inspector Jack Robinson.
Tobias was not at all surprised to see the thick envelope on the seat of the Hispano Suiza when he had returned to the car after driving Miss Fisher and the Baron to the airfield. She hadn’t given many instructions that morning, saying only “Keep the house open, Mr. B, unless you hear otherwise from me. And if you need to take in a stray or two in my absence, I’ll leave that to your discretion.” He tucked the envelope into his jacket pocket to read when he returned to Wardlow. As he drove away from the airfield, he was sure he saw the Inspector’s police car driving the opposite direction. He smiled to himself and whistled a favorite tune of Mrs. Butler’s all the way back to St. Kilda.
Returning to the house, he made himself a cup of tea and sat down at the kitchen table to read Miss Fisher’s letter.
Dear Mr. Butler,
As I am quite sure you will keep things running smoothly in my absence, I will give you no instructions here about how to do that. I have left money enough to cover the household accounts for 6 months as well as some additional funds to be distributed in the following manner:
- You, Dot, Bert and Cec are to continue to receive your regular wages while I am gone. Dot will certainly need a little help for the first few months of married life, though she may try to insist that she doesn’t. You know better than to believe her, Mr. B.
- See that Dr. MacMillan gets any champagne or whiskey that may arrive, save one or two cases for the house. My departure was a bit hasty so there may be some parcels arriving. Tell Cec and Bert not to order anything else for now.
- If the Inspector comes to the house, feed him. I certainly don’t want him to starve after my departure. You can invite him to stay, though I doubt he will take you up on the offer. If he speaks to you of any plan he has to follow me to England, offer to make his travel arrangements for him. Take whatever money he gives you and set it aside for when he returns. Do not use it to pay for his ticket and do not let the Inspector know I have helped. There is a separate envelope in the safe with money tied to it. Give the envelope to the Inspector and use the money to buy him a first-class steamer ticket to England.
- The combination to the safe is Dot’s birthday.
I am as confident you will carry out my wishes to the letter as I am in my ability to fly safely to England. In the event the worst should happen, or you do not hear from me before the six months are up, contact my solicitor, Mr. Banning, for further instructions.
Thank you, Mr. B, for you unswerving and tireless service. Hiring you was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I can’t imagine my little family at Wardlow without you in it.
Sincerely and with great affection,
Miss Fisher