TV news showed a helicopter shot of a stately home. "The historic home of the Duke of Denver was the scene of a daring robbery last night." said the BBC reporter," Thieves got past the wards and made off with the current Duke's rare book collection."

The scene switched to an aristocrat, who looked as distraught as his stiff upper lip would allow.

"It's the sentimental value, more than the monetary one," he said, "Although the latter is enormous, of course. Most of the incunabulae came from the collection of my great-uncle, Lord Peter Wimsey. It was he who interested my father in collecting rare books."

(Note: Incunabulae are books printed before 1500.)

"Police say that they are pursuing leads and expect to make an early arrest." said the reporter.

"If the British police are like the American ones, that means they haven't got a clue." said Rachel, switching off the tv, as the phone rang.

"Rachel? It's Gary. I managed to access David Halliday's school records. He was given the standard Magical Ability test in grade eight, and passed it."

"So, he IS a magician!" said Rachel.

"Yeah, but on a scale of one to ten, he's a one. He's qualified to get a job in a factory making spellchips, but he couldn't do any major magic."

(Only one human in ten had any ability to use magic, and only ten percent of those were strong enough to become high-level adepts.)

"Could he have faked his test results?" Rachel wondered.

"I don't think so." said Gary, "I think those tests are administered by adepts. They'd know if he was holding back. I'll look into it, though."

"Thanks, Gary."

****

Matthew answered the door to an unexpected visitor.

"Sofia!"

"Can I come in?"

"Of course." he said, "I wasn't expecting to see you. I figured you'd be mad at me."

"Oh, I'm mad at you, all right, Matt, but we gotta talk about C-Squared."

"What about it?"

"Are we gonna go on bein' business partners? " said Sofia, "C-Squared was supposed to be Carlino and Cory, together."

"Cory and Carlino." Matthew corrected, "There's no reason why my marriage should disrupt our business. Why break up a successful working relationship?"

"Workin' relationship?" said Sofia, "Is that all we've got, Matt?"

Their faces were only inches apart.

"Sofia, you know I -"

"Matt?" Lila sashayed into the room. Matthew immediately jumped back, as though guilty.

"Am Ah interruptin'?" she said, arching an eyebrow.

"No, of course not." said Matthew, "What is it, Lila?"

"While Jasmine is havin' her nap, Ahm goin' shoppin'. Theys a new store called Babyworks Ah wawnt to check out. Jasmine's growin' so fast, she needs new thangs already."

"That's nice."

With a sly glance at Sofia, Lila added, "Mebbe, while Ah'm downtown, Ah'll stop by La Femme fo' some lingerie."

"You think that will make Matt love you?" Sofia burst out.

"Oh, Matt doesn't laik lingerie," said Lila, wide-eyed, " 'Less it's lyin' in a heap, at mah feet. Bye!"

With a wave of her hand, she exited.

"Sofia -"

"I gotta go,Matt! I'll talk to you later."

****

"I received a parcel today." said Mr Akageno. He opened it, and removed a leather-bound book.

Rachel looked at it. "BEYOND IMAGINATION by Jordan Stark." she said, "That bookplate wouldn't be the coat of arms of the Duke of Denver, by any chance?"

"Ask no questions, Rachel, and you will be told no lies."

"How long will it take you to read the book?"

"That depends on how esoteric it is. Call me tonight, and I shall tell you how much progress I have made."

"Right - I'll leave you to it, then."

****

Meanwhile, Lila was at the baby shop: "Everythang heah is jist so darlin'!" she said, "Ah'd laik to buy everythang in the store. But ah'd better restrain myself. Ah'll take this liddle dress - and this one - and this liddle sweatah, with the pink bunnies on it."

Lila had exited the store and was walking towards her car when a motorcycle came roaring straight at her! Before she could get out of the way, it struck her! The impact knocked her flying, until she smashed into the windshield of a car which was just entering the parking lot. The driver screamed and slammed on her brakes.

"My God! What happened?" she cried, "Did she fall out of an airplane?"

"It was a motorcycle!" said a witness, "The bastard didn't even slow down!"

"Somebody call 911!"

To be continued.