The London Affair: A Venables & Luther Adventure

Overview
The London Affair is the fifth book in the V&L Series, it tells the tale of Richard Venables and Richard Luther in London shortly after the Paradoxian War, and tells the tale of the murder of Colonal Johnathan Ross of the 74ths Second Battalion and Venables & Luthers parts they played in the Investigation.

Chapter I - The Wright Tavern
London is a cold place, damp and murky in the poor districts and only slightly better in the Richer Districts, The air of London is thick with choking, dense smoke from factories and the streets are constantly stinking from the human refuse left to rot on the streets, this particular day in August was no better as Colonal Johnathan Ross of the 74th walked through the dark, crowded streets of Westminister late in the afternoon.

He was returning from having dinner with the other officers of the 74th Regiment which had been posted in London on barracks duty for six months, the regiments commanding officer Richard Venables had his residence in a far nicer area of London, and so Ross had to walk through crowded streets and have the worry of being mugged by thugs who would gladly take the risk of the watch to get an army officers few gold coins to feed themselves, Ross finally reached the door of his small apartment in a back alley behind the Wright Tavern, when he noticed a dark figure in the shadows of the alley, he didnt take a second thought to this silent figure until after the figure began to approach him, he began to fiddle violently with the lock to try to get inside the safety of his apartment, suddenly he felt a sharp twang of pain as the assailent smashed a knife into his side and then Ross fell to the ground violently, Ross could feel the blood pour into his lungs and he began to cry for help, choking on the blood in his throat,

As Ross slowly choked on his own blood, he wondered why?

Then the life passed out of his body and the alley's cobbles were filled with the blood of the dead highlander.

Chapter II - Art, Love and Murder
In another part of London, where the air is slightly fresher and the sky a lesser shade of grey, Richard Venables & Richard Luther sat quietly in front of the London Opera, Venables Enjoyed attending such events when he was at home as it allowed him to enjoy the latest news and gossip, whilst Luther sat there miserably whilst Madam' De' Jewel sang the Beggers Opera, for the third time in a row.

Lady Sarah Venables sat at Richards side whilst Ishamel and Caterina sat to Lady Sarahs left, Venables himself was applauding Madam Jewels proformance as were a startiling number of gentlemen, Luther noticed with a smirk.

"Well Luther how'd you enjoy that?" Venables asked merrily, his face beaming with delight, "Appaling sir, i fear i may never take to the finer side of social life" Luther said glumly, slowly drinking the remainders of his Champaign.

"Chin up, Luther its not about the singing or the damn music, its about getting you amongst the upper class!" Venables said grandly as they slowly walked down into the grand hall, where the after proformance chatter was already going full tilt, Venables had absconded over to talk with Lord McRoberts and Colonal Wellington, whilst Ishamel and Caterina had disappeared altogether, suddenly Lady Sarah came up to him, "My dear Mr Luther, why do you stand around looking like an idiot? Enjoy yourself!" She said warmly to him, He Smiled and replied "I fear the only poeple i know here are you and your family ma'am, and i truely do not know what to say to strangers!" Luther smiled weakly and then noticed that Lady Sarah was not alone, "This is my niece Constance, prehaps you could find a subject to talk of with her!" Sarah said before flowing away to attend to several other ladies, he was left alone with this ravishing girl, "So Colonal, i have heard you saved my dear uncle Richards life over in the Caribbean, i must thank you for that!" she said smiling, Luther was struck dumb, her smile had enchanted him greatly and now she looked at him quizingly, he struggled to come up with something intelligible, "Ahh yes, eh thank ye kindly miss, i merely did what i did for a friend... eh yes" he said awkwardly, to which Constance merely giggled in the most infatuating way possible for a young lady, Suddenly though his thoughts were turned to Venables to whom a courier had just brought a note, he looked at the dark frown on Venables face and knew something was up then watched as Venables strode up to him "Constance my dear! i trust you'll forgive me for tearing the good Colonal from your attention?" Venables said warmly to his niece, "Of course uncle, it was a pleasure to meet you Richard" She said as she slyly winked at him with a grin on her face, "Come Luther, get your cloak i'll explain on the way" Venables said coldly, "Whats wrong sir?" He asked, Venables eyed him and said "Just over an hour ago, a young girl found Colonal Ross dead on his doorstep, he'd been murdered" Venables said bluntly and lead him out into the cold air of London as Venables carriage arrived to take them to the scene of the crime.

Chapter III - The Plot Evolves
Venables and Luthers carraige arrived at the scene of the crime about an hour later, Venables unused to the smell of the poorers areas of London put a hankerchief up to his nose to muffle the smell, a small, squat figure approached them. "General sir, I'm constable Morris, I'm in charge of the investigation" the man said to him smiling, Venables frowned at the mans obvious joy at having a case, whilst Luther smiled at Venables distain for the little man.

To Be Continued...