The wiry man glared up at me with derisive blue eyes and gave me his very foul answer.
“Let me kill him, Captain,” Brewster said, breath grating. “He’ll not stop ’til I do.”
“No. I want him to take Creasey a message.”
Brewster yanked the cudgel from the man’s hand. “His dead body will be plenty for a message.”
I spun him out of Brewster’s reach and addressed the man directly. “Tell Creasey he will keep his fight with Denis away from me and mine.”
I shoved him aside, releasing my sword at the last minute. The man sneered his scorn and loped off down the lane.
A door slammed open, and Eden hastened down the street toward us, cavalry saber in hand.
“Good Lord.” He stopped to watch the wiry man vanish around the corner and turned his gaze to the attacker who lay motionlessly on the ground. “Did they try to rob you?”
“To off me.” Brewster strode to the unconscious man and kicked him. “Because I work for Mr. Denis.”
“Mr. Creasey sent them,” I said.
Eden’s face darkened. “The blackguard. I thought I’d left rivalries like this in Antigua. Forgive me for not hastening to your rescue sooner, gentlemen. I looked out of my window and saw you and then could not remember where I’d put my blasted sword.”
“The captain felled two,” Brewster said with admiration. “While I couldn’t come nigh them. Saved me life.” He gave me a curt nod. “Thank ye, guv.”
“They disregarded me.” I inserted the tip of my sword into the walking stick and slid the blade home. “The lame former army captain you are paid to protect.”
Eden nudged the fallen man, but he didn’t move. “What do we do with this one? The Watch are rather useless, as I recall.”
“Send for a Runner,” I said. “Pomeroy will find something to arrest him for even if Brewster chooses not to prosecute for assault.”
“Prosecute?” Brewster shook his head. “What good will it do? Creasey will dismiss the bloke or even kill him before he comes to trial, and it won’t matter. Why not give him to His Nibs? Mr. Denis can use him to find out what Creasey is up to.”
I imagined the cold satisfaction in Denis’s eyes as he turned to interrogate Creasey’s fallen soldier.
“I rather think he will be safer in Newgate,” I said dryly.
Eden listened to this in growing concern. “I’ll send a lad from my lodging house for the Runners—as long as Pomeroy doesn’t arrest me again into the bargain.” He grinned weakly. “We can tend to this poor chap’s wounds in the meantime. Wouldn’t want him to simply expire at our feet.”
THE BOOT BOYwho worked for Eden’s landlord rushed to Bow Street and was back with Pomeroy in a remarkably short time. Other residents had emerged from the houses on the close, mostly servants, as the hour was early and the fashionable often didn’t rise until after noon.
The ruffian was groggily coming around under our ministrations by the time Pomeroy arrived. Pomeroy took in the scene, listening in delight as Eden told him how Brewster and I had been attacked but defended ourselves valiantly. Pomeroy stepped over to the fallen man, who hunkered against a railing, massaging the back of his head where I’d struck it.
“Billy McCann, is it?” Pomeroy inquired in his ringing tones. “Bashing Billy, as I live and breathe. I’ve been after you a long time, son, for doing in a woman in Blackfriars. Thank you, Captain. Major Eden, Mr. Brewster.”
He hauled up Bashing Billy and strode him off around the corner. The fire in Billy’s eyes had died a sorry death.
The excitement over, the footmen and curious maids drifted back into their houses.
I explained to Eden that I’d been on my way to see him. Catching him unawares was now impossible, but Eden brightened.
“As it happens, I planned to look you up today.” He gestured to the tall house two doors down from where the fight had taken place. “Please, come upstairs.”
Brewster pulled his hat down on his head. “I’ll keep watch. First attempt failed, which means Creasey will only send more next time.”
“It wasyouthey attacked, not me,” I pointed out. “It is better for you to be indoors.”
“Indeed, Mr. Brewster.” Eden made a sweep of his arm. “There is plenty of room, and my landlady can find you some ale if you wish it.”
Brewster scanned the street, brows lowering as he considered. “Just as you like. But I’ll need to be by a window.”
