Reginald Blaine
Who they are
The man behind the counter of a stationer’s near St Paul’s, known to everyone who needs him as “Dancer”: rumoured to supply guns, and specialising in what C03 calls “contents” — false identities, papers, a new life in an envelope. He is the shop at the centre of the Gimballs’ case against Zafar Jaffrey, and the Service’s own back-channel when it wants something bought (C09, C10).
Book 5 — London Rules
- C03 — Named by Dodie’s source as the stationer with underworld connections who supplies guns and false papers; his shop is where Jaffrey’s bagman has been seen.
- C09 — “The Dancer Blaine business” is what Jaffrey wanted wrapped up before the accusation landed.
- C11 — Jaffrey pays the balance in the shop near St Paul’s, after Whelan has had Josie call him.
- C12 — Jaffrey leaves the City alleyways with the package: a false passport.
Open questions
Who else has bought from him, and whether the Service’s call (C09) was a warning, a purchase or a way of marking the shop — the text leaves his usefulness ambiguous to the last.