Somebody below called to check the main doors.
Was the Nok statuette still there? I wondered why somebody had brought it in the first place. With this audience, there was unlikely to be an enormous amount of expertise knocking about. Or had somebody been watching, judging my reaction as me and Maud re-entered? 'Lovejoy, mate?'
I'd never been so relieved to hear Tinker's hoarse yell. Maud exclaimed in anger.
Quickly I bawled down, 'Aye, Tinker. Up here.'
He called, 'There's a feller and two birds at the Drum and Flag.' I couldn't see him in the dark. 'Wants ter see you.'
That was a relief. I'd never wanted to escape from Maud before.
'Door open, is it? This balcony's locked.'
He chuckled, huff-huff-huff followed by a prolonged cough and a spit.
'You randy git. It's all shut. There's wood stairs. Pull the rope.'
'Tell them I'll be there in a minute.'
'Right, son.'
I heard his cough recede. Concealing my relief I turned to Maud and said I'd got to go, would see her after. 'It'll be Quaker, love. Him or the brigadier.'
'Go, Lovejoy?' She seemed to be sulking. I could see her face against the sky glow, not quite a silhouette. 'When we're partners for life?'
'Look, love. I want out from all this.'
'You – want – out?' Her hand slapped my head sideways. 'Don't you understand? I've made sacrifices to get that stupid obsessed dolt out of my life. To have you instead.
And you say you want out?'
Her hand lashed me. I felt stunned, tried to back away, stumbled over something, maybe bottles, a stool.
'Look, Maud. Nothing personal. But the Countess came in the interval. It's only a row between two syndicates. For money.' I sounded relieved even to myself. 'It's nothing important.'
'Nothing important? You're mad, Lovejoy! This means survival. Without your talent the syndicate will go under. People who've never lacked a thing in their lives. Not people used to poverty. People in responsible positions.'
'You mean posh folk should be protected from their own greed?'
'Yes!' she screamed, hitting out at me in fury. I ducked and weaved but still she caught me. I felt against the wall for the bloody rope, get out of this.
Then a bloke's iron grip took my arm. His voice said, 'Stop it, Maudie. I've got him.'
God, but I was relieved. Maud halted her assault. I could hear her breaths, fury in every waft.
'Thought you plod were never on time, Sep,' I gasped.
'No jokes, Lovejoy.'
'Sep?' Maud seemed puzzled. 'What are you doing here?'
'I've come to take Lovejoy into custody, Maudie. I have bad news. I'm sorry.'
'What bad news?' I sounded strangled. 'Tinker?'
Tinker couldn't hide, not with his cough. He's like a foghorn. So Sep must mean—
'Quaker's been found in the river, Maudie. He'd been bludgeoned and drowned. No hope, I'm afraid.'
'But—' Maud looked at me.
'Lovejoy slipped out, and did Quaker. I saw him. Lovejoy was seen coming from there.
Then he went to sit with you. Alibi, see?'
'Me?' I bleated. 'I couldn't club anybody, Sep. You know that. Christ, I was in clink with you.'
'You're under arrest, Lovejoy. Don't move!'
'Sep,' Maud said. 'I don't know what you are saying. Where is Quaker? I want to see him.'
Maybe I could dart past the loon, find those wooden steps Sep must have used.
'Stand still, Lovejoy!' Sep yelled, coming at me swinging something.
I ducked, shoved Maud in front of me, stooping so he'd clout her instead of me. He did just that. I heard the crunch, something hitting her. She shrieked and went down moaning. Verner lashed at me and the world span out of sense. I actually heard blurs and saw Sep loom, arm raised.
A balcony door opened. A light came on. The brigadier stepped out, locking the door behind him. He was in full fig, regimental blues, medals, more brass than you'd see on a fender. From a carnival? How come he had keys? He held something long in his hand.
It shone. But was he help, cavalry to the rescue?
'Verner,' he said quietly. 'That'll do.'
'I had to go for Lovejoy, sir. He was about to do for Maudie.'
'Eh?' I tried to stand, but Verner was too close. 'Stay still, Maud, Lovejoy.'
