Gilbert rowed them back to the shore, crossing the exspansive black lake in silence.

He could tell that Anne was very upset. She was never silent. When they reached the shore he tethered the boat to a post and climbed out, his wet boots sinking into the muddy banks. He reached out and offered his hand, half expecting her to push it away stubbornly.

Anne slowly took it in her firm grasp and stood, wincing slightly. He helped her climb from the boat and onto the wet ground. He was surprised that she let him help, as she was usually so fiercely independent. He pulled the boat onto the land and dragged it to the shelter, before returning to find Anne standing listlessly.

"Anne?" He murmured, his voice cutting through the soft darkness.

Anne jerked from her daze. "I'm sorry." She said instantly.

"What?" Gilbert frowned. "For what? Are you alright?"

"They're going to send me away." Anne said, emotions wreaking havoc on her mind.

"What are you talking about?" Gil asked, stepping closer to the distraught red-head.

"I can't go back there - I wouldn't make it out a second time." Anne was rambling.

"Anne, please - I don't understand."

"The orphanage!" Anne blurted. "I can't go back there."

Gilbert stopped at once and his heartbeat dipped. Anne had endured unspeakable things in that place, things he could never imagine. He knew it was an inevitable place for her to be sent if she was found guilty - the orphanage until she was old enough to be jailed. There were no detention homes for young people her age anywhere close so the orphanage would have to take her.

"You won't," He said suddenly, not entirely sure what his plan was. All he knew was that he couldn't let Anne go back to that nightmarish place. "I won't let that happen."

Anne looked up at him, disbelief hovering in her face. What would he do? What could he do? Why did he go to such lengths for her?

"You won't ever go back there, Anne." Gilbert said firmly.

He gazed up at the silver stars, breathing deeply. Gilbert looked down into Anne's bright blue eyes. Something bright and aching stirred in his heart. It burned warm, filling the hole in his chest. Anne lit him up like a firework, his body tingling as he stared at the Cuthbert girl.

"I promise." He whispered and grabbed her hands, clasping them tightly.

The pair gazed at each other, their breath clouding up in the bitter cold evening. The darkness seemed to pale and brighten with them by each other's sides. The moon sighed down at them, uttering a watchful promise to oversee all the deeds to come next. The good, the bad and the terribly sad.

...

Joseph Bines had not exactly gone off the radar.

He was never one to hide, especially when most in his scenario would do just that. He was busy making friends in the school and warming hearts all around the town. He worked hard in school and did lots of jobs for the people of Avonlea "to help out". He was firmly popular, accepted and admired. Handsome, charming and bright. He was a regular Gilbert Blythe, in the opinion of the locals.

Those days the gossip always involved the golden-haired boy from out of town who told the grandest stories and had the most exciting past. A past which not many knew much about, surprisingly. For a seemingly open, outgoing boy he didn't like to share deeply.

School was lonely for Diana without Anne. Gilbert had not come since all of the mishaps with Anne as he helped a lot at the farm to make up for all that Miss Grey did for him. Anne was still off school due to her injury, and Diana missed her friends. Ruby and the girls were a great comfort but Diana had tasted excitement and she longed for more.

After the lake incident, Gilbert had walked Anne home and Anne had gotten in trouble with Marilla for "swimming in this weather!" and "almost catching your death! And in your condition!". Diana was in a different type of trouble, for her explanation to her father was called short abruptly by her mother Eliza bursting in with a list of things to be done for the party the next weekend. Her father promised to listen when she "had any actual points in Anne's favour."

He also promised to continue the investigation.

A week had passed since the lake, and it was upon that crisp spring morning that Mr Obediah Ellwyn reached Avonlea. He rode into town like a cold wind, turning heads and lighting up the rumours about the Barry wagon robbery yet again. Gossip never lay idle for long in Avonlea, not if Rachel Lynde could help it.

Everybody in town knew by now that there was an incident in the woods involving a crash, William Barry's important wagon, some valuable goods and an apparent robbery. Many had tried to question Mr Barry about this, to no avail. Never one to lose face, he decided not to comment until the case had gone through.

Mr Ellwyn was tall and broad with a long dark coat that swept around his boots like curling fog and a thick black beard concealing most of his face. He was an imposing, intimidating man who spoke bluntly and had eyes to stare the truth out of any man, woman or child. He was a very experienced detective from the city, working small town cases as a change of scenery.

He promised to get to the bottom of the wagon hiest case in no time.

Mr Ellwyn started by interviewing all those related to the case in any way, all those suspected or connected, those who weren't suspected and those who nobody seemed to see any connection. His methods were questionable, but his reputation for completed cases were not.

Anne, naturally was first.

...

"I really don't see what all this is about. Anne was in an accident -- she is certainly not to blame for any robbery you speak of!" Marilla Cuthbert was furious.

The detective at the door had a badge and an official paper to call Anne in for an interview the following morning. He had faced dangerous, vicious criminals, highly-respected gentlemen in politics and powerful figures in society. He had come out on top in all those past conflicts. He had not, however faced Marilla Cuthbert before...

"Ma'am." Mr Ellwyn spoke gruffly. "I have to interview many people for this case. Your charge is not only the first, but the most crucial. I must speak with her."

"You must do no such thing. Anne is innocent, I can tell you that. Case closed." Marilla said fiercely, blocking the doorway. "I don't rightly know what you suspect my Anne did, but it was not her. I am greatly offended at your accusations."

"I have accused nothing at this point in time." Mr Ellwyn pressed in his low, gravelly voice. "To avoid an interview would be a show of guilt."

"Well, I never!" Marilla shrilled. "Good lord above. I really have never--"

"It's alright, Marilla." Came Anne's voice from behind the older woman.

Marilla turned to see the slight-figured girl, red hair tucked neatly into plaits, bright blue eyes burning from a pale face. Anne was recovering well from her injury, despite the constant straining of it and opening of stitches on several occasions. Mathew had joked only the night before that Anne was getting better through pure stubborn determination.

"I'll speak with Mr Ellwyn." Anne said.

Mr Ellwyn nodded. He handed the paper to a stunned Marilla and tipped his black hat. "I will see Miss Shirley at eight-am tomorrow morning. I am renting one of the old bank offices in town."

He left in a swish of his coat, his dark presence fading like a shadow in the evening. Marilla sighed, the anger still strong inside her. Anne watched her, eager to reassure despite the nerves clouding her own heart.

"I have to, Marilla, if I don't speak with the detective it will be suspicious." Anne said.

"Suspicious? Poppy cock!" Marilla shook her head, flinging the paper at Anne and busying herself with scrubbing the kitchen table. She often cleaned when she was anxious.

Anne looked down at the paper. It had an ominously official look to it. Printed and stamped. Anne read her name in the calls, and there was surprisingly not even a flurry of excitement at the vision of her own name printed neatly on parchment in an official paper.

She felt only fear.

...

Anne met Diana in their forest hide out that day after tea. The air was gloomy and full of dread. They spoke a lot about everything that had come to pass. Anne filled Diana in on everything from the start to the finish, just as Gilbert had heard it. Diana forgave Anne for concealing it all.

"I wasn't going to tell you. I knew Joseph was planning on framing me for everything so I got rid of some of the evidence linking me to the robbery. I thought I was safe. After I told Gilbert, he told me I'd still be pinned to it as there was more evidence found." Anne sighed. "I thought to myself that if I told you I'd be putting you in danger, just as I have with Gilbert. A blessing is that nothing has happened to him yet since I told him."

"Anne, I will take that risk. You are so important to me." Diana said firmly.

"I decided to tell you everything because there is a detective in town, named Mr Ellwyn." Anne went on. "I think there is a good chance for us to turn the tide. If Mr Ellwyn believes us about Joseph then he could arrest him and take him away and we'd all be safe!"

"It shouldn't be long before he wraps the case. My father said he's one of the best detectives available. He's been at my house a lot lately, in the study with daddy. I tried to speak with my father but he has been avoiding me. Unlike my mother who keeps pinning me down about my party this coming weekend."

"A party? Oh on any other occasion I'd be truly overcome with joy and excitement. But such a happy gathering seems so misplaced in my time of utter despair. I feel terminally lost and inevitably banished."

"Anne!" Diana's eyes lit up. "You are neither lost nor banished. Don't speak that way. When we tell the detective the truth everything will work out. I promise."

"I hope so." Anne sighed.

...

Mathew offered to ride Anne up to the town the following morning for the dreaded interview but it wasn't far and Anne insisted on going alone. Her injury still pained her but she could ride slow and she needed the lone time to think. The ride took her through the woods in which the entire incident took place. Terrible memories flooded back, making it hard to focus and stay optimistic.

Shortly before reaching the edge of the centre town, a horse strode out onto the path in front of her. A golden-haired boy sat astride a familiar horse.

Anne instantly felt her heart stop, a hammering in her ears and her head cloud up with panic. It was him. He was here.

Joseph Bines was there in front of her.

"Good day to you, Anne." Joseph smirked a wicked smile.

How could she ever have seen it as handsome and friendly at their first meeting? Anne now knew it to be the smile of a wolf. A treacherous wolf who crept behind their prey, waiting for them to let their guard down before springing upon them when they least expect it.

Anne's horse Belle reared up, and kicked up its heels. Perhaps it felt Anne's instant fear.

"You're looking... well." Joseph chuckled. His hand lifted his coat to reveal the silver dagger in his belt.

Anne's wound stung. She panted, her breathing heavy as her chest heaved. She could barely catch her breath. Panic swirled in her mind like a devastating tornado. Joseph. Joseph. Joseph. She couldn't think.

"I would ask where you're heading, but I already know." Joseph turned his golden eyes on Anne's blue ones. "You didn't think I'd forgotten my promise, did you?"

Anne didn't speak. She couldn't.

"I told you that if you dared speak a word of any of it to anyone then I would kill them." He said it so softly, so slowly. It sounded more like a deadly song, than a threat.

Anne's wide blue eyes stared, unable to look away. Fear pumped in her heart and pulsed in her veins. Belle was restless beneath her. Anne gripped the reins so tightly her knuckles went white.

"This little chat was a reminder of my promise." Joseph said. "This was also another warning. I know where you're going and what you're planning to say and I advise against it. I also know what you have already said."

Anne's mind instantly went to her confessions to her friends. No. How could he know? How did he know? He couldn't, surely.

"You'd better run along to your interview, Anne my darling. Just remember to watch your tongue." Joseph's lips turned up in that dreadful smirk. "I have business elsewhere... Although I'm sure you can guess where."

Then he clicked his tongue and patted Sandy the horse and rode away into the woods in the direction of her friend's houses. But was he going to Gilbert's? Or Diana's? Anne was due at the interview. If she didn't go, she'd be seen as suspicious avoiding questioning.

Anne felt a panic attack surging through her, closing up her throat and blurring her vision. She lay her head down against Belle's mane, forcing herself to take deep breaths. She stroked her fingers on Belle's soft mane, in soothing circles.

When she had managed to gather herself enough, Anne sat up. She had to think, despite the turmoil inside her.

She knew that Diana's estate was closer, and it was safer there with all of the staff always working in the house and gardens. Joseph wouldn't be able to get near Diana if she was at home, but would be at school at this time though. Gilbert's farm was further to ride to, but it was only him and Miss Grey living there. Joseph could get in to hurt him easily. But Gilbert must be at school, just like Diana.

Surely Joseph wouldn't risk attacking them in front of everybody at school.

Anne decided that she had to tell Mr Ellwyn the truth about Joseph. In luck he'd be an ally and they could go to the school to wait for Joseph to show up? They could arrest him on site. They might make it, if Anne hurried and if Joseph was heading for their houses and not the school house. Anne had to count on all of these things and her own power of persuasion to win over Mr Ellwyn.

Anne geed up Belle and they sped away, making haste for the office of the famed detective. She prayed he was a saviour of sorts and end this hellish situation with Joseph.

...

The old bank offices had recently gone up for let and Mr Ellwyn rented the most practically designed, well-priced one. The block was large but dark with minimal windows and Mr Ellwyn had not decorated so the room was not welcoming in the slightest.

The interviews began with Anne. She arrived wearing a nervous expression. She had never been interviewed by somebody not looking to hire her to look after numerous babies and households - such as Mrs Hammond - and did not know what to expect.

Mr Ellwyn was seated behind a black desk. Anne briefly thought that most of his things were black and perhaps this paired with his surly nature equated to a tragical romance or mournfully sad past. She drew herself back to the present.

"Take a seat." Mr Ellwyn instructed.

Anne obliged.

"I'd like to start by saying that I know what this is all about and I'm very glad to be here to get everything off my chest." Anne babbled nervously. "I've kept a lot inside and haven't told anybody and it will feel good to finally get it off my chest and know that somebody will be able to help me and fix the problems which have hung over me for weeks--"

"Stop." Mr Ellwyn said loudly in his deep, gruff voice. "Stop your endless talking."

Anne silenced. Mr Ellwyn reminded her a lot of Mr Hammond, who used to shout and hurt his family. He hurt Anne too, when Anne didn't do things exactly how he liked them, or even when he wanted to let out his anger. He'd always raise his voice before he got into a temper, Anne remembered the symptoms and when would be a good time to take the babies out to the bottom of the garden or into the wash room out of the way.

"Sorry, sir." Anne murmured in a weak voice, flashbacks coming to her mind of being constantly bullied for her chatter at the orphanage.

Mr Ellwyn fixed her with a terrible stare, glaring and petrifying. Anne didn't dare move. He clasped his large hands together and cleared his throat. His black eyes burned into Anne. The room seemed a lot colder and smaller all of a sudden.

"You are the key suspect in the case of Mr William Barry's wagon. There was an incident, which you clearly know an interestingly great deal about. What I understand is that the only people suspected of being in the woods at the time of the incident are Mr Barry's hand-picked, most trusted riders... and you."

Anne sunk lower in her seat. Suddenly her tongue was tied and her heart was thumping hard in her chest. She felt so insignificant and struggled to speak. She had many words desperate to pour out, but Mr Ellwyn wasn't the type of adult to listen. Anne's hope of finding a saviour in the detective were vanishing.

"I was there in the woods, it's true. But--" Anne began, her throat feeling dry.

"So you're admitting it? You were involved in the incident?" Mr Ellwyn leant forward in his seat. "Because we have evidence that you were."

"Yes, well I-- I'm not guilty of the robbery and taking any of Mr Barry's things--"

"So you're confirming to me that it was a robbery? The goods are not simply missing?" Mr Ellwyn began to take notes, scribbling on a parchment with a scratchy quill.

"I-- yes, he took them. He hid the chest in the woods. Joseph -- he did all of this."

"Joseph? Who is Joseph?"

"Joseph Bines -- he's fairly new in town. I thought him at first to be a kindred spirit but he is wicked and he's orchestrated this entire robbery--"

Obediah Ellwyn looked up and stared at Anne.

"I hope you understand that there was evidence found at the crash site and on a chest from the Barry wagon hidden deep in the woods and on a horse belonging to you. The evidence is fabric torn from a dress we currently can not locate, but it will be found in due course."

The image of the brown bloodstained dress sinking to the bottom of Barry Lake floated to the front of Anne's mind. She swallowed.

"I'm not guilty. I didn't take anything. He made it look that way--"

"You and this Joseph boy are working together?"

"No! No, he threatened me." Anne insisted. "He wanted Mr Barry's wagon and all of his valuables. He attacked the riders and then there was a crash, the wagon hit a tree. I was hurt too, I'm not working with Joseph. He hurt me! Somebody threw a knife and I'm sure it was him."

He was writing everything down.

"He attacked you with a knife?" Mr Ellwyn looked disbelieving. "Show me."

"What?" Anne was shocked.

"Show me the injury." Mr Ellwyn demanded.

Anne paled. Her injury was on her waist, she'd have to take off her dress and unbutton her under dress to show him. She shivered. Mr Ellwyn was bringing back a lot of horrible memories for Anne.

"I-- I-- I can't." She murmured. She felt very small.

"Then I don't believe you." Mr Ellwyn said firmly. He shuffled some papers as though he was finished. "Is there anything else you'd like to say in your defence?"

Anne swallowed. She could barely speak any longer. She felt shaken up and emotional and very vulnerable. She wished she could be anywhere else but there. She wished she wasn't so alone.

You're never alone. Anne pictured Gilbert speaking those words to her and she felt a final rush of hope. One last try.

"Joseph Bines threatened me that if I told anybody about this he'd hurt me and my family and everybody I care about." Anne's voice was stinging thick with emotion. "Why would I lie about that?"

"Because you're covering something up." Mr Ellwyn suggested.

"I'm not a liar." Anne said fiercely.

"Everybody is a liar, Miss Shirley."

"It's Shirley-Cuthbert." Anne corrected.

"See my point?" Mr Ellwyn shook his head and stood up, gesturing to the door. "You're still an orphan, no matter what you say."