'Tha' wasn't so hard, now was it?' Stated the first intruder in a most patronizing manner before he straightened up and backed away from Adeline's proximity.

'Is this it then?' Adeline questioned, 'Will Blackthorn leave us in peace?'

Crossing his arms, the man shook his head, 'I don't know nothing abou' any Blackthorn'

Adeline realized just then that these intruders were nothing but grunts for hire. They knew nothing more than what their boss deemed fit to tell them. They probably knew nothing of the circumstance which led up to their involvement.

But her muddled thoughts were soon reoriented as she heard Sylva whimper where she still lay on the floor.

'Hush, Sylva. They'll only be here a moment longer,' Adeline reassured.

'So long as we find wha' we came for,' agreed the man whilst he paced slowly back and forth in the cramped space.

Suddenly a sound could be heard, a thump and then a bang reverberating from somewhere outside of the bedroom.

The intruder ceased his pacing in order to listen closely right as yet another clatter, followed by a low grunt resounded through the walls.

Without haste, the man trudged out of the bedroom, slamming the door shut behind himself. Adeline and Sylva were left alone where they could do nothing but listen as, what sounded not unlike a drunken bar brawl, erupted from somewhere on the main level of the home.

Adeline struggled against her restraints, trying as she might to free one hand. A fruitless endeavor she would find.

Soon there came a cacophony of thumps, bangs, grunts and clatters, each resounding pitch enough to make Adeline wince and tremble where she sat, helpless to act on her instinct to unburden Sylva and flee.

The skirmish continued and as the cracks, clangs and thuds echoed through the house, Adeline could only imagine what exactly was taking place.

All at once the air went silent.

Adeline stopped wringing her tender wrists around in the rope that bound her. She listened attentively, nervously, wondering what was to come next.

Adeline jolted suddenly as without notice, the bedroom door flew open to reveal the bloodied and beat up detective Grae.

He trampled into the room and knelt down in front of Adeline to untie her wrists, 'It's alright now,' he assured breathlessly.

'You're bleeding,' noted Adeline as she gazed at Mr. Grae, his nose and forehead seeping.

The detective freed Adeline of her binds before peering up to see the dampness under her eyes. He reached a hand up, using the back of his pointer finger to swipe a stray tear from Adeline's cheek.

Adeline seemed stunned into inaction as she stared at Mr. Grae's wounds.

'Mrs. Moore?' spoke the detective.

Returning to her senses, Adeline inhaled a breath of air and studied her surroundings, 'Sylva'

Mr. Grae and Adeline went to where the young maid still lay and worked together to untie and ungag the frightened young woman. Adeline helped Sylva to her feet and pulled her into a tight embrace, 'It's all over now, darling'

As the detective left Mrs. Moore and her servant in order to search the house and ensure no threats remained, Adeline escorted Sylva to the kitchen, sitting her down in the chair nearest the cook range for heat.

'Have you ever tried bourbon? queried Adeline whilst hastily unbuttoning and removing her coat.

Sylva struggled to answer through her tears and short breath, 'N- No, ma'am'

'Well I cannot think of a better time to experiment,' stated Adeline as she walked straight out of the kitchen door and out of sight to access the liquor cabinet situated in the dining area. Sylva watched as Mrs. Moore reappeared, carrying three short glasses and a decanter of premium bourbon.

She paced quickly over to the table, placing the glasses in a row before pouring a generous portion into two of them. Adeline handed one to her young maid and lifted one up for herself, 'You must drink it all at once,' she instructed.

Sylva sniffed and nodded before the pair tipped their glasses back and drank the stinging liquid, causing the young maid to cringe and cough.

'It'll calm your nerves,' Adeline assured as she sat next to Sylva and reached out for her hand, 'I'm so terribly sorry for what you've been through today. Would you like for me to arrange a carriage to your mother's in the morning?'

'No, ma'am. Thank you. I'll be alright,' Sylva responded unconvincingly.

Are you certain? It would be no trouble. You won't miss a day of pay,' Adeline pushed, but Sylva shook her head, 'I like it here, Mrs. Moore. I don't wish to leave'

With a sad sort of smile, Adeline cupped Sylva's cheek, 'Very well'

Mr. Grae entered into the kitchen just then looking just as beaten and battered as ever.

Adeline stood from her chair, pacing toward the cook range to fetch the tea kettle, 'We'll need to clean you up, Detective"

The detective simply nodded in response then stiffly removed his heavy coat, hanging it up next to Adeline's, 'Are you harmed?' He questioned.

Adeline handed the detective a clean cloth, 'Not nearly as much as you,' she replied while pouring some boiled water into an earthernware mixing bowl.

looking over to where Sylva still sat, Adeline asked, 'How are you feeling, darling?'

It took the young maid a few moments to realize she was being spoken to.

'Sylva?'

Coming out of her daze, Sylva stood from her chair, thinking she had been given a task to do, 'Sorry, ma'am?'

'Poor girl, you must be exhausted. Come,' Responded Adeline pacing over to Sylva then draping an arm around her, 'You'll sleep in my bed tonight'

Adeline peered back to Mr. Grae on her way out through the scullery, I'll only be a moment, Detective,' to which Mr. Grae replied, 'Of course'

Padding through the hallway, Adeline and Sylva were forced to step carefully over the mess of broken things which Adeline had once so meticulously selected for her home, yet now, she suddenly realized bore no real significance or purpose in the grand scheme of things.

Once upstairs, Adeline helped Sylva into bed and sat beside her for a moment, 'Sleep now, Sylva. We're safe,' she promised.

'You're very kind, Mrs. Moore,' expressed the young maid.

Adeline offered a gentle simper then stood from the bed and brushed her hands down her overskirt to smooth out the wrinkles, 'Goodnight, Sylva'

On her way out of the bedroom, Adeline stopped and knelt down to where she had so confidently hidden the contents of the lockbox many hours prior. The loose floorboard lay unlatched revealing the small space beneath, now empty. She slid the floorboard back into place before leaving the bedroom, closing the door behind her as she went.

Upon rejoining the detective down in the kitchen, Mrs. Moore went immediately to the bowl of hot water and ushered Mr. Grae to the table, 'Please, have a seat, Detective'

As he paced stiffly over to where Adeline stood waiting, she reached out and pulled the bloody cloth from his hand.

Mr. Grae sat in the chair closest the cook range and watched his employer submerge the cloth into the steaming hot bowl of water, wringing the blood from it a couple of times.

Adeline stepped up to the detective and began dabbing the area surrounding the gash above his right eyebrow, 'They took the money and the ledgers. They threatened to harm Sylva, so I had no choice in the matter,' Adeline began and then dipped the reddened cloth into the water once more, 'I . . I tried to use the pistol but it must have misfired and then the intruder, the big one, he pulled it right out of my hand is if it was nothing.'

Returning to blot away more blood from the detective's head, Adeline continued, 'Sylva was absolutely petrified. I've never seen someone so utterly afraid. The poor thing will be traumatized for life, I'm sure. She-'

Mr. Grae suddenly reached up and grasped Adeline's shaking hand, causing her to fall silent. He gently pulled the wet cloth from her grip and tossed it into the bowl. The detective leaned forward suddenly and reached around Adeline, grabbing the chair opposite him and pulling it close, 'Sit,' he insisted firmly.

Adeline was a little taken aback by the dictation but acquiesced nonetheless and seated herself adjacent to Mr. Grae, their knees nearly touching.

As soon as Adeline sat she felt the release of tension and allowed herself a breath. She leaned into the backrest and propped her elbow onto the arm of the chair so that she could rest her head in her hand.

The detective proceeded to pick up the decanter and pour a little bourbon into two of the small glasses sitting on the table. He handed one to his employer and kept the other for himself. Adeline wearily accepted and the pair tipped their glasses in unison, drinking the potent liquor.

'Did you see someone at the park?' Asked Mrs. Moore, trying to piece things together.

Mr. Grae wrung the cloth out into the bowl and began wiping the dried blood from his nose, 'Someone saw me,' he confessed, then looking to his upper left arm to point out the bloodied stain on his cotton, button-up shirt.

It was then that Adeline observed the small, round hole at the center of the red stain. She covered her mouth with her hand to hide the expression of shock printed upon it, 'You've been shot'

'I didn't see who did it but it was then I knew we'd been set up,' the detective explained as he tossed the cloth back into the bowl.

'You must let me have a look at the wound'

The detective gazed at Mrs. Moore for a moment, unspeaking.

'Alright,' he finally conceded and proceeded to stiffly lean back into the chair and began to unbutton his shirt.

Feeling a little embarrassed, Adeline avoided looking at Mr. Grae while he disrobed, instead reaching for the cloth and squeezing the hot water from it.

'Only a graze,' predicted the detective once he had pulled his arm from the sleeve of his shirt and had a better look at his bicep.

Adeline leaned close to Mr. Grae and pressed the warm cloth gently against his arm, 'I think you're right,' she agreed, able to see that the bullet had only nicked his flesh on its way by. She dabbed away the blood methodically while thinking on the events of the night, 'How could they have known the lockbox would be empty, I wonder? There would not have been enough time to retrieve it from the park and arrive here well before I did, which is precisely what happened'

Mr. Grae furrowed his brow, 'What we had was physical proof of foul play. They- or- Blackthorn, must've guessed that we wouldn't part with that kind of evidence so easily. He saw an opportunity to get the money and the ledgers and to get rid of me in one fell swoop. I underestimated him and in so doing, put you at risk'

'You are not to blame, Mr. Grae. Neither of us could have foreseen what this night would bring,' Adeline dropped the cloth into the bowl, 'Quite frankly, I must admit you are the only person I've felt safe with these past weeks'

The detective slid his arm back into its sleeve as Adeline stood from her seat and nervously continued, 'But I'm afraid I'll have to end the investigation. Of course you'll be well recompensed for all of your hard work and for the trouble'

Mr. Grae seemed perplexed, 'Mrs. Moore?'

'Things have gotten out of hand, Detective. I could have and should have left things well enough alone. We must stop before more harm is done. If we do, we'll not be a threat to Blackthorn and he will have no further cause to threaten us,' Adeline explained as she paced a small circle and began to pick at her thumbnail.

'Forgive me, Mrs. Moore, but I don't believe Blackthorn is through with you yet, whether or not you stop the investigation,' expressed the detective.

Adeline stopped pacing, 'Well, he's taken everything, what more could he want?'

Mr. Grae leaned forward in his chair to rest his elbows on the tops of his legs, 'Well, seems to me what Blackthorn wants is to tell you his story'

'His story? I'm afraid I don't follow,' admitted Adeline.

Mr. Grae continued, 'I think he wants you to know what he knows. Blackthorn led your husband to the brothel he frequented specifically to commit the murder, encouraging you to look into what your husband was up to. Blackthorn didn't have to make it known that he was familiar with the contents of the lockbox. He could have sent the robbers without first making his intentions known through a letter. He didn't have to reveal himself at all, but he did. And again in this last letter, he chose to reveal that he was aware of the meaning of the bench at Hyde Park, and tonight, well it was nothing more than another exaggerated and unnecessary show of his many percieved talents and his intimate knowings. There's a game at play and Blackthorn has yet to reveal his hand.'

Adeline padded back toward the table and sat in her chair, appearing utterly crestfallen, 'What of his threat to frame me should I not rid myself of your services?'

'I have a talent for disappearing in plain sight. Speak of me to no one, save for Mr. Grant. Tell him only that you've fired me and make the excuse a good one'

~♤ ~

In the early hours of the morning, Adeline lay next to a soundly sleeping Sylva, trying to calm her troubled mind. It was all becoming too tangible. The detective was injured and Sylva had been through a hellish ordeal in her own right. Men had entered Adeline's home. Been in her kitchen. Her bedroom. Someone was terrorizing her, someone with whom she or Thomas likely considered a friend. How was it that she and Thomas birthed such an aggrieved enemy? One willing to go to such lengths as to kill and stalk and steal? How could such a person exist with Adeline so foolishly oblivious?

What was to come next?

It was in this tempestuous state that Adeline heard a familiar yet disquieting sound. Slow, methodical clacking of claws against the hardwood had Adeline stifling a breath, yet Sylva's sleep remained uninterrupted.

The clacking moved from the foot of the bed around to Adeline's side and she found herself slowly turning over to face away from her maid and toward the sound.

Upon her turning over, Adeline was once more met with the intimidating, yellow gaze of her mystical companion.

Adeline tucked her hands under her pillow and curled her knees closer to her chest, nestling into her bed, all the while calmly, quietly watching as Grimm lowered himself to the floor. He watched Adeline in return for some time before resting his massive head atop his large paws, seemingly informing Adeline that it was safe to rest now by his own relaxed state.

Almost as if a spell had been cast, Adeline's eyes began to flutter, unable to stay open and very soon she was off to sleep.