The story is told, in part, by the two Town Gossips, Lady Mumble News and Lady Long Tongue. Jodelet Godot, a former Executioner at the Tower of London, is now the most mercurial of wanted criminals in England. Upon executing King Charles the First, he fled to Ireland and became the most reclusive crime boss to operate in both Paris and London. Godot finds out later that his crimes as a 'hit-man' for King Charles the First have condemned him by the former King's son, Charles II restored (in 1660) to the throne. The new King, condemned Godot as part of many reconciliations to the people, to show that a new order had arrived. Jodelet Godot made many famous getaways and left the law enforcers always waiting for Godot. During his self imposed exile, he raises a son Edward born in Pleasance (France) and will later be known as 'Pleasant Edward'. Edward Godot grows up in a life of wealth from crime but does not have the gravity of his father Jodelet. Victor Vauxhall, known as 'Hair Pick Vic' is Godot's estranged other son and Edward's half brother, and has just been released from a prison at Newgate having served 'four long years' and despite being tortured never told about his alliance with the infamous Godot. Later, he will be known as 'Sir Chartreuse' in our story.
On parole, Vic teams up with Godot and his son Pleasant Edward, and Thomas Blood for 'the biggest caper ever in the history of English Kings.' Godot picks the best rogues of London he can find with little or no infamy to secure the secret nature of his plan. All precautions are taken.
...Or are they?