Prologue

Two small shadows slipped out of the french doors at the back of the grand house heading towards the first of a cluster of outbuildings that extended to the fields. The larger of the two went first, stopping often so the other did not fall behind. They rested for a moment in the deep gloom of the stables, before running across open ground to the gardeners shed. Sticking to the shadows they circled the shed until they were hidden from the house and then they struck out across the fields.

When they reached the edge of the copse, the girl stopped, she knew both their parents would be dead by now. The pack she had slung over one shoulder contained everything she needed to take care of things, including the directions to a safe house. She reached out to grasp the hand of her younger brother, and with all the confidence she could muster she told him "We are safe James."

He looked up at her smiling, she was the person he loved most in the world, even more than Mama and Papa. He trusted her completely and was enjoying the adventure she was taking him on. She could see his sweet face in the moonlight and suddenly the bag felt a great deal heavier.

Holding hands they disappeared into the darkness.

Chapter One - The Winter Garden

Jack Robinson, hands in pockets with the collar of his overcoat upturned and fedora pulled down low, strolled into the garden shared by the residents of the square. This far into winter, with no leaves or blooms to distract, the detailed plan of the gardener was clear. Jack found that he preferred this view, plants stripped of artifice, the power of man to bend nature to his will on display. It was, he considered, the perfect place to contemplate his situation and next move.

Spotting a pergola, its large columns smothered with a mass of evergreen ivy, he ambled towards the shelter it offered. He shook his head in bemusement this, his first foray from sense to sensibility, had been an abject failure. He had come after her... but she had delivered her father, taken over control of the family finances and promptly headed back to Melbourne. Typical, impetuous, Phryne.

He felt his mouth shift into the wry smile that she so often prompted. This need for constant movement was the central essence of her and he had known, when he made his decision to pursue her, that there would be challenges. Coming after her was still a grand romantic overture, and she would acknowledge that. If she felt any guilt over his inconvenience... well... he wasn't that noble, in this war he would use every weapon to advance his campaign. Perhaps not a misstep then, just another movement in their dance? He nodded, yes, he could work with that.

He was staying at the London townhouse of Guy and Isabella Stanley. He had turned up at their door looking for her, Guy had explained she was already gone; then, to Jacks surprise, he had also offered a guest room. Jack had attempted to withdraw, but Guy was insistent and he could not gracefully refuse. Tired, disappointed, and with no other plan he had finally accepted. It helped that the guest room was far more comfortable than anything he could afford. Stepping into the gloomy interior of the pergola, he leaned against the first ivy draped pillar, hands still in pockets, head down, waiting patiently for his next move to reveal itself.

A few minutes later the man, who had been following him since he had left the Stanley residence, stepped into the pergola. He jumped when he found that Jack was right beside him leaning against the pillar, "Damn it Robinson!"

Jack raised his head quickly, there were only a handful of people who knew that he was in London, and he hadn't realised the owner of this voice was one of them. Though, he admitted to himself, he really should have known better. "You're the one tailing a private citizen, sir," he straightened to look at Captain Leonard Brown, his ex-commanding officer. Ten years older than Jack, tall, lean and well dressed, he presented the friendly, amiable air of a competent man dabbling successfully in any number of undisclosed business ventures.

The Captain shrugged his shoulders, accepting his point. It had been a long time since he had had to tail anyone, he was clearly rusty. Still, Jack had always had an uncanny ability to sense people. "Well regardless, I'm glad to see you Robinson," he slapped Jack warmly on the back, threaded his arm through his as though they were old school chums, and led him towards the garden exit. "Lets go to the office where we can talk."

The warm smile on Leonard Brown's face was doing a good job hiding the worry in his eyes, Jack thought. Good, but not perfect.

And that is why, six weeks later, Jack Robinson still occupied a guest room at the Stanley residence, with an open invitation to remain as long as he needed to close his latest investigation.