that only the right sort of people are actually admitted Into the presence,

rather like being let into the back room of an ultra-exclusive private club.

And, In fact there apparently is just such a club, which his lordship calls

'The

Inner Sanctum.' The society reporter claims that the beautiful people would

gladly disembowel each other to get in. Rumor has it that some very highly

placed VIPs can be found in attendance—which I can believe, based on the

interference I've encountered—and that the entertainment there makes Roman

orgies look like tea with the Queen Mum.

If you're thinking what I think you're thinking, for God's sake, tread softly

and be careful. Over and out."

"Well, that's cheerful news," Blood said. "Looks like our friend's got his

hooks

well and truly into the Home. Office, and God only knows where else. Let's

see

what's on this file Danny has for us."

He called it up, and seconds later Archimedes displayed it on the screen.

"There it is!" Jacqueline said excitedly. "The townhouse is in Charles Street!

I

knew it was a townhouse here in London!"

"That's in Mayfair," Blood said. "Coincidentally, not very far from where you

were arrested. But you also mentioned a dungeon of some sort, and I can't

imagine any townhouses in Mayfair that have dungeons, unless someone's

converted

a basement flat into a prison cell or something."

"No, my money's on Carfax Castle," Wyrdrune said.

"And black roses," Blood continued, scanning the screen. "I have no idea what

that means. Where do they fit in? Are you quite certain the meaning was

literal?

You actually saw black roses in your dream vision or whatever it was?"

Jacqueline nodded. "I saw them growing around the door."

"Well, if that's the case, it won't be hard to check it out," said Makepeace.

"We have Carfax's address in Charles Street. Let's go take a look."

"We might be better off splitting up," said Kira. "Half of us can go check

out

the townhouse while the rest of us can crash the party at the castle."

"All right," said Wyrdrune. "Sebastian, you and Jacqueline go check out the

townhouse. Take the chief inspector with you, just in case you run into any

trouble trying to get inside."

Jacqueline gave him a wry look. "The day I cannot break into a house without

getting caught is the day that I retire, mon cher. But come along, Chief

Inspector, it will be amusing to have a policeman along on a housebreaking."

She looked up at the mirror mounted beneath the canopy of the bed and saw

that

her entire body was covered with massive purple bruises that curled around