Raisins and almonds - Poisoned Pen Press (UK)

Raisins and Almonds 4
Been studying it for years—the study of a lifetime, thus Yossi.
He says it is connected with Kabala.’
‘Kabala?’
‘Far too complicated for me to explain,’ said Simon. ‘We can
go and talk to him, if you like. He should be home. Oh, and
I’ve remembered what I came to tell you. My father has talked
to his people in the Carlton factory, and they knew this dead
man, Shimeon Mikhael. He was a mystic, they said. People
were a bit afraid of him. He was a Torah student, a good one,
they said. He knew a lot. But he was waiting for the Messiah to
come, and that’s always been a dangerous thing, my father says.
He’s invited you to dinner tonight, can you come?’
‘Certainly,’ said Phryne. ‘I am very anxious to get Miss Lee
out of quod, though I have no doubt that she is furthering her
studies while there. Good. Well, if you would like to use my
telephone, you can reassure your father that I have not eaten
you alive, and call your friend.’
‘Oh, he’s not on the telephone, Miss Fisher. He’s a bootmaker,
and he lives in Carlton. But I’ll telephone my father. Mother
worries,’ he explained.
Phryne ate strawberries and cream and smiled.
999
Carlton was unimpressive under a harsh light and the windblown
dust of an unseasonable north wind. Phryne, who disliked
dust as much as the cat Ember—neither appreciated having
their sleek black fur ruffled—pulled her cloche firmly down and
wished she had not chosen to wear a looseish, buttonless crepe
de Chine coat and carry a pouchy handbag, as it was difficult to
keep her ensemble together in a manner which was both decent
and fashionable.
After five minutes of walking, she would have settled for just
decent, or even partially effective.
Lygon Street, however, was always fascinating, even on
a Sunday when all the shops were shut. Phryne noticed the
Kosher Butcher’s sign, and the strange angular black writing