Perry paced the floor behind his desk. ‘What are you saying, Kate? What else aren’t you telling me?’

‘This must not be used in court. I want you to give me your word.’

‘It depends.’ Perry came to a halt. ‘You’d better tell me everything.’

‘Harry inherited a baronetcy from his late father. His real name is Sir Harry Lyndon and his home is in Finsbury Circus where he lives with his mother, Lady Lyndon.’

‘You’ll be telling me next that he spends most of his time raising funds for charities, instead of preying on gullible fools with more money than sense.’

Kate jumped to her feet. ‘If you’re going to be facetious I won’t bother. Forget that I asked you to represent him. I’ll find someone else.’

‘Don’t be so hasty. I’m growing more interested in this case by the minute. Please sit down, Kate. Finish what you had to say.’

Reluctantly, Kate sank down on the chair. ‘He doesn’t deny his criminal activities, but I believed him when he said he wanted to bring the Monks gang to justice. What do you say, Perry?’

He was silent for a moment and then he sighed. ‘Ordinarily I would refuse such a case, but because you are involved and because your father is in no state to support or advise you, I will represent Harry Trader in court tomorrow. It is, after all, only an appearance before a magistrate, and it should be quite straightforward.’

Kate gave him a beaming smile. ‘Thank you, Perry.’

He held up his hand. ‘Unless, of course, someone knows the true identity of your villain. That will change everything, and I will stand down from the case. I can’t afford to have my reputation damaged in such a way.’

‘I understand,’ Kate said reluctantly. ‘But I am grateful.’

‘Does Trader actually own the premises where you’ve established your soup kitchen?’ Perry went to sit at his desk, resting his elbows on the table and steepling his hands.

‘I believe he does, but you’re making me feel as if I am on trial, Perry. Why does it matter?’

‘I suggest you vacate it immediately, Kate. Move elsewhere and walk away from any connection with Trader and his criminal activities.’

‘He told me that he’s disbanded his gang.’

‘And you believed him, Kate? I think he told you that so that you would feel sympathetic and help him by persuading me to represent him in court.’

‘If it’s such an onerous task why did you agree to take him on?’

‘Because he obviously means something to you, or you wouldn’t be here now pleading his case.’

‘You’re wrong. My involvement with Harry Trader came about by chance, but I do believe that he has a right to the best possible representation in court. Surely innocent until proven guilty is the premise on which our judicial system is based?’