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PROLOGUE

Frorine Vale, 221b Baker Street

To: Inspector Singh, New Scotland Yard

Singh,

For the love of God, can’t you give nant pool, and its cri These last feeeks have drivenseems worth my time or attention Even my research seems a waste of effort I must have a decent case to occupy me, or else I believe the machine that is my brain will spin out of control

In answer to your queries about Rotherha works, I would have thought it clear that the two are connected

It should be obvious that the victim was decoyed down to the new ultrafiltrationworks and h the systeive credence to the claim that he was drowned in the Serpentine in Hyde Park, where his body was found Check the financial holdings of Rotherham’s niece, and her private library – I believe you’ll find evidence of her scientific studies there The alibi that the niece’s husband gave her is also very dubious, and he will probably break under pressure

Winters and Strongrock are out of London at the moment, on a rock has confided toher post in order to rescue hiht not have condoned her methods, but she achieved the results they wanted anyhow But I dare say it could have been worse

Give h It will keep ht and reason are the best medicine for my current inertia, and will keep me from worse alternatives

Vale

CHAPTER ONE

The lass s and on the blades of the guillotines in the central square Pigeons squabbled noisily in the gutters, audible solely due to the general deadly silence Only the creaking of cart wheels and the soft padding of footsteps disturbed the stillness

Irene could feel an even greater zone of terrified hush surrounding herself and Kai Passers-by avoided their gaze, desperate not to attract their attention It was because of their ‘borrowed’ uniforms, of course: everyone was afraid that so them away for counter-revolutionary activities And then would couillotine

Itaround unnoticed Nobody was going to look twice at the National Guard In case the National Guard looked back at them

With a neat pivot, the two of theether, their steps in unison, out of view of the guillotines Irene felt an illogical sense of relief in response Even if they weren’t out of danger yet, she was spared froht chop her head off