4 Whitehall Place
New Scotland Yard
Sunday Afternoon
February 1st, 1925

"That's our man, Dr. Elias, the one I was telling you about," Millicent offered as they neared the gentleman.

"Mr. Harry Price, might I introduce you to Dr. Leonardo Elias and his niece, Rosalie Elias?"

Leo nodded at the man and offered a smile and his hand. "How do you do, Mister Price?"

At an even six feet and one hundred and sixty pounds, has the athletic yet slim build of someone who grew up leading the life of an aristocratic sportsman. Young and handsome, his dark brown hair is perfect combed. Harry wears a thin mustache but is otherwise clean shaven, and cuts a rather dashing figure in an immaculately tailored Seville Row suit worn under an equally well tailored overcoat.

Spotting Millicent O'Connor, Price flicked away a cigarette, and closed the distance and offered a hand and began his greetings "Pleasure to see you again Miss O'Connor."

Shifting his attention to the strangers "Henry Paget Price, but my friends call me Harry. Pleasure to make acquaintance. I hope you are enjoying your visit to London."

"I have been engaged to act as your solicitor. but to make it official you should both hand me a pound note. That way anything you confide in me will be protected. With that out of the way we can get down to  business."

Rosalie studied the young man while introductions were made, offering her own gloved hand in greeting when it came time.  She was older, she guessed, but not by much.  Smiling at his notion, she opened her pocketbook and offered him a fiver.  "How very thorough you are, Mr. Price.  It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.  Millicent had good things to say about you.  I hope you don't balk at the first sign of danger.  We seem to happen upon it at every turn."

'It pays to be thorough." Price said accepting the fiver with a bit of a rakish smile.

"As far as danger, let us hope we can get you out of whatever danger you are in. Speaking of which best you give me some understanding of your predicament so I can be of assistance when we meet with the inspector." Price said pushing the matter a bit as he was eager to get to work.

"Ah, as to that, you must suspend disbelief for a little while, at least.  What we're doing here and why is going to sound quite farfetched." She threw her uncle a glance before continuing.  "It is a bit of a long story, but the condensed version is that we know of a cult that is operating here in London.  They're murderers that believe in ritual sacrifice.  We also know who has been running it and where they are meeting tonight for a ritual where more innocent victims will be killed in the name of their religion.  We mean to stop them.  We have evidence, of course, but it could easily be interpreted as balderdash and ignored.  We're hoping to convince Chief Inspector Barrington to join us in stopping their horrid practice."

Leo nodded at Harry's introduction and request, his hand moving to remove a billfold from an inner breast pocket of his jacket. Once the payment had been made, Leo replaced the billfold and nodded at Rosalie's summary of their current situation.

Once she was finished, his brow furrowed slightly. "Have Miss O'Connor or your employer filled you in on any specifics?"

Harry paused at the Miss Elias' explanation, and he was grateful for her uncle's monetary transaction and question to give him a moment to form his thoughts. Deciding to answer the last question before moving on Harry replied "No I was not told very much, merely that associates of the Carlyle family currently in London were in a spot of trouble and could use the assistance of a solicitor experienced in handling delicate matters. That is not an unusual telephone call for me."

"I am guessing this is related the murders of foreigners dumped into the Thames with their heads knocked in. messy business. If you have evidence that would lead to their apprehension and the end of these killing I would imagine that a solid man like Inspector Barrington would welcome it. Since I have been drawn in I am assuming it is more complicated than it seems. Perhaps you could paint that picture for me as well."

"As you say there will be additional murders this very night, I suggest you tell me as we make our way to Barrington's office."

Rosalie nodded and fell into step beside him as they walked to the entrance.  "The complicated part, Mr. Price, is that this organization is responsible for the death of my cousin, Jackson Elias."

"Uncle Leo's son," she added, quietly.

"My condolences on the loss of your son." Harry said just the correct amount of sincerity. "Your son's passing would explain your interest in the murders, but still, doesn't explain the need for a solicitor."

"If I am going to be able to help you it would be best if I understood any challenges or entanglements that will likely arise from the telling of this tale." Harry understood their reluctance, but in his experience the longer this avoidance carried on the stickier the wicket would be in the end.

Leo raised his eyebrows slightly. "Mmmmm....I don't think we need a solicitor, but your knowledge of law and the ability to speak with those whose duty it is to dispense justice will likely be quite useful."

Leo looked over at Rosalie and then back to Price. "I feel we should have further discussions somewhere more private, if you really haven't been brought up to speed by Miss Carlyle or Miss O'Connor. Do you have accommodations nearby, Mister Price?"