“Your wish is my command.” He led her to the glass door and they stepped outside. They walked to the strip of stony beach. There was a small dock set up, but no boat in its moorings. Johann talked more about his collection and Tanith said all the right things at all the right times. Then she looked into his eyes.

“What time do the guests leave?” she asked.

“Whenever I tell them to.”

“It’s getting late, don’t you think? Some of them might have to make a long journey home.”

He smiled. “I’d better thank them for coming.”

“I’ll stay here, if it’s all the same to you.”

“Please do. I’ll be back in mere minutes.”

Tanith secured the handbag strap around her shoulder as she watched him go, then kicked off her shoes and walked quickly to the dock. Her fingers dug into the material of her dress and she pulled it apart, the dress splitting right down the middle. She let it fall around her feet, reached the dock in the swimsuit she’d been wearing under it, and in one fluid motion she dived into the warm water. She sliced up towards the surface and swam on, barely making a sound.

The boat was waiting for her. Jack straddled the side, a fishing pole in his hand. He watched her approach.

“I was wonderin’ what was scarin’ the fish,” he said, as Sanguine appeared beside him and helped Tanith up.

“Did you get it?” Sabine asked.

“Would I be looking so pleased with myself if I hadn’t?” Tanith responded, passing her the handbag. Sabine took out the dagger and examined it.

“The fake was excellent,” she said. “It looks exactly like the real thing.”

“And what about Starke?” said Jack. “Did he suspect you were a master thief, or were the smile and the dress all he was seein’?”

“He didn’t suspect a thing,” Tanith said, using a towel to dry herself off. “But we should probably get going before he starts looking for me.”

Sanguine started up the boat and they moved off, sticking close to the small islands. Tanith secured the dagger in the lockbox, then heard something in the trees as they passed. She looked up and a Ripper dropped from the overhanging branch, sent Tanith into Sanguine, their heads cracking together. Tanith stumbled, dimly aware of the Ripper shoving Sabine into the water as the boat stalled. Jack flung himself at their attacker, his nails dragging uselessly across the Ripper’s coat. He got a headbutt as a reward, and a kick to the shin, and then the Ripper was wrapping an arm round his throat.