The sudden occasion had Jack and Elsie dress shopping in the upper ring of Warren City. They visited a store at Doctor O’Donnell’s suggestion and found themselves walking into a rainbow of fabrics; subtle blues, deep purples and vibrant pinks, fiery reds and bright oranges. Elsie was mesmerised by it all. “Where do I start?” she breathed.8964 copyright protection492ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxgjaR54P0 維尼

Jack shrugged. “How should I know? I just need to by a suit.” He sought out the owner of the shop, who turned out to be a kind old lady of small stature but with a large smile, and fading blue eyes.8964 copyright protection492ＰＥＮＡＮＡnREW8k6OWE 維尼

When she saw the two of them enter the shop she brushed her grey hair out of her eyes. “Aren’t you a handsome young man! And you young lady, oh my, you are beautiful! How can I help you today?”8964 copyright protection492ＰＥＮＡＮＡoo9ifx4QUj 維尼

“My sister and I are attending a wedding this Saturday at the Parlow Villa. I’d need a suit, and Elsie will need a dress – something fancy.”8964 copyright protection492ＰＥＮＡＮＡecO5JQpa5t 維尼

“Oh right away,” said the woman. “If you would, Miss Elsie? Is it? Just come with me.”8964 copyright protection492ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IHe1GmDmi 維尼

The woman showed Elsie to a selection of dresses, and after a great deal of decision making, Elsie picked one out and tried it on. Jack waited outside the changing room while Elsie slipped on her fancy new dress. He had been troubled ever since he met Oliver Tanner, and was most afraid that his sister had gotten herself into a dangerous situation. He couldn’t deny, however, that she was right about needing the master thief’s help, and they were too close to stop now. He called out to Elsie. “So, tell me about this Tanner fellow. Is he a man of his word?”8964 copyright protection492ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9H35SoQZag 維尼

There came a subtle giggle from the changing room. “Of definitely. One thing I can say about Tanner is that he’s a romantic. He’s infatuated with the woman I told you about, Sylvia Parlow. Jack, I’ve never seen anyone like him.”8964 copyright protection492ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8YeuxnrV4 維尼

“So, we’re stealing Sylvia’s fiancés ring so they can, what, run away together?”8964 copyright protection492ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSsIuwKDAa 維尼

“That’s about right.”8964 copyright protection492ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMtV4HnL6N 維尼

Jack crossed his arms. “Huh, that seems like a rather odd gesture.”8964 copyright protection492ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlQ4sFxDP7 維尼

“I like to think of it as a parting gift for Warren City. And who knows, maybe after selling the gems from the ring Oliver might lend us some of his very illegal money.”8964 copyright protection492ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0IO7aAowM 維尼

Jack laughed at the notion. “You know, sometimes I still think of you as my sweet little sister. I close my eyes and see little Elsie running about with mummy and daddy.”8964 copyright protection492ＰＥＮＡＮＡUd6BU478p1 維尼

Elsie paused, and then more solemnly said, “Well, I grew up an awful lot quicker when mum and dad stopped coming back. Look at us, brother, in the past few weeks we’ve already been to jail and nearly died in a laboratory explosion. How’s your leg, by the way? I noticed you’ve been limping less.”8964 copyright protection492ＰＥＮＡＮＡukM9hPLEIc 維尼

Jack leaned back, stretched out his leg – which was actually still very sore – and then placed his hands behind his head. “The leg’s doing fine. Doctor O’Donnell has been providing me with special treatment. Sometimes it hurts when I walk, but it more or less functions properly. Hey, uh, what does she think of me?”8964 copyright protection492ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNu5tF1taQ 維尼

“Fiona? She wishes you’d stop jokingly inviting her to dinner and just genuinely take her out on a date; and quite frankly I agree with her. My words of advice, brother, either make up your mind or leave her alone.”8964 copyright protection492ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QG4rzd0f6 維尼

The sudden change in her tone made Jack sit up straight, and he winced when he moved his leg too quickly. “I have been genuine. She just never takes me seriously…”8964 copyright protection492ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhcHNG75aJ 維尼

He was interrupted when Elsie stepped out of the change rooms. Her dress was a river of lovely pink silk that flowed down from her waist and swayed gently around her feet. Upon the centre of the breast was a bedazzling array of diamonds that glittered blue in the light of the city, and they continued and ran up to her collarbone and over her shoulders; showing off the beautiful smooth skin upon her arms. Trailing from the back of the dress were two silk ribbons that she wrapped around her forearms, so that she moved with the grace of a ballerina, although she wasn’t entirely used to wearing heels. Elsie looked down awkwardly at her feet, and feeling a little timid, she smiled at Jack, and said, “Well, how do I look.”8964 copyright protection492ＰＥＮＡＮＡkx1zrw2pSa 維尼

Jack had always known that his dear little sister was beautiful, so he answered her by pointing at the dress. “Brilliant. Tanner does know that he’s paying for that, right?”8964 copyright protection492ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpNXvTajrY 維尼

In that moment, the bell above the door rang, and Oliver Tanner entered the shop. He had a smug air about him, and he did not wear his top hat low, as he often did. “Paying for what?” he asked, and then he saw Elsie standing beautiful in her dress. “Oh my, you look splendid, Miss Elsie. The two of you seem well prepared.” He presented them with two slips of paper. “As arranged, these are our invitations. Now, if you would kindly accompany me back to my home – when you are finished here, of course – there is still much to be done.”8964 copyright protection492ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgn0zf0yid 維尼

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