Dagger Magic

He snorted. "Of course not. If we stand for anything, it's the upholding of the law. But sometimes it's a higher Law than some folk are even aware exists - and believe me, we have to answer to a far higher Judge."

She shivered and put down her fork. "You make it sound almost - cosmic."

He searched her face with his eyes, shaking his head. "I know it's a lot to take in - and I wish I could tell you more, but I can't. 1 wouldn't blame you for having doubts about my sanity, but honestly, I didn't want to risk - "

He broke off, wondering if perhaps he had already said too much, and Julia pounced on the one word he probably should not have used.

"Risk?" she repeated. "Peregrine, does - what you do involve an element of danger?"

Squirming inwardly, he nodded. "Now and then."

"What about now?"

"I don't know," he admitted. "I don't think so. Not in the short term, at any rate. After all, what could happen while watching a post-mortem? Besides, Adam would never allow any of us to endanger ourselves without good cause," he added stoutly.

"I'll have to take your word for that," she said, "at least for the moment. And it appears that Adam's behind all of this. He's your leader, isn't he?"

At his reluctant nod, she cocked her head thoughtfully. "What would happen if you decided to give up this line of work?''

"Adam would have to find someone else to do what I do. But I don't believe I could give it up, even if I wanted to."

"Why not?"

"Because the work itself would almost certainly find me out, with or without any active solicitation on my part," he said, "in much the same way that this talent of mine was asserting itself long before I learned how to harness it."

"But you didn't ask for the gift. It just came to you."

"That's precisely the point," Peregrine said. He frowned, groping for words. "Possessing a talent like this is a bit like being factor or manager on a big estate. Once you've been entrusted with something - money, property, whatever - you are thereafter responsible for making right and profitable use of it. And the only authority that can legitimately relieve you of that responsibility is the one who imposed it on you in the first place."

"Who, Adam? What right had he - "

"No, not Adam," Peregrine interjected. "Julia, you know that I'm not a particularly religious person, at least outwardly, but I - think I'd honestly have to say that it was God, in this case, Who gave me the assignment. And I don't see any sign that He wants to withdraw it." He squeezed her hand in appeal. "Is this making any sense at all, darling?"

Reluctantly she nodded, confusion but also acceptance lighting the blue eyes. "In a roundabout way, I suppose it does. I'll probably have to go away and think about it - perhaps while you're off at this post-mortem. Would it be out of line to ask what you're supposed to be looking for on this occasion?"

Peregrine relaxed just a little, bringing her hand to his lips in a fond kiss. "Adam just wants me to look," he said with a shrug. "That's usually what I do. If I See anything, I'll draw it. After that, it will be up to him and Noel to decide where and how we proceed."

"All right," Julia said, very matter-of-fact. "In that case, I'll go shopping and leave you to your work. Are you going to tell Adam about this conversation of ours?''

"I'll have to," Peregrine said. "It's important that he knows how much you know - for all our sakes. Besides, I wouldn't want to have any clouds hanging over us at dinner time; Adam's invited us for a meal tonight at the Colonial."

Julia's eyes widened slightly. "The Colonial? Very nice, indeed! Is this one of the perks of the job?"

Peregrine managed a droll smile. "I suppose it's one of the perks of being Adam's friend," he said lightly. "In this case, it will also be a salve to his conscience, for borrowing me when you and I should be on our honeymoon. Will you forgive him?"

She smiled. "Of course. And I didn't mean to sound ungrateful. He's always been the soul of generosity."

"Yes, he has," Peregrine replied, wondering whether the day would ever come when he might reveal just how far that generosity extended beyond the physical - for despite the privileges that Adam's wealth provided, his life was one of constant sacrifice.

"I'd better go now," he murmured, with a glance at his watch. "I've got to collect those photos before I meet Adam and Noel."

She nodded. "Do you want the car?"

"No, you take it. It'll be easier for me to taxi over to the Central Railway Station. Do you know how to get back to the guesthouse from here?"

"I'll manage. Where and when do you want me to meet up with you?"

"How about seven o'clock, at the guesthouse?" Peregrine suggested. "If anything comes up that spells a change of plans, I'll phone in and leave a message there. In the meantime, promise me you'll try to enjoy yourself!"

"I'm going off to spend some of our wedding money," she said with a coy grin. "Of course I'll enjoy myself!"