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“Someone pushed Gabriella in front of a bus this morning, and later this afternoon into the high street traffic,” Liz said.

“What now?” Jerome’s eyes got big.

“I’ll tell you about it later, but could I ask you a huge favor?” She had been mulling over whether to tell Solomon and Jerome her suspicions about who could be behind the attacks, and now she realized she had to say something if she even suspected Liz’s safety was at issue. “Could you walk Liz to the bus stop and wait with her? It’s just possible it was one of Sutcliffe’s men who did it, and I’m afraid if they’re watching the house they may confuse Liz for me.”

“No problem.” Jerome put out his elbow like a gentleman from the Victorian age, and with a smile, Liz looped her arm through his.

“Who’s Sutcliffe?” she asked.

“Long story. I’ll tell you tomorrow.”

“Righto. Stay safe.” Liz let Jerome escort her down the stairs.

Gabriella cleared up and washed the plates, straightened up the tiny bedsit and put on a pot of tea.

Jerome came back twenty minutes later.

“All good. Didn’t see anyone.” He accepted a mug of tea with a smile.

“That’s good.” She sat at the small table. “On Monday, James and I saw a tall man hanging around next door. Later that same night, Victor chased him off because he was trying to get into the house with a pry bar.”

Jerome set down his tea. “And you think it might have been one of Sutcliffe’s men?”

“It’s possible. On Wednesday when those two men were waiting to attack in the back yard, did you notice if either of them were tall and thin?”

Jerome leaned back in the wooden chair and it creaked in protest. “It all happened pretty fast, and I was not in the thick of things. But one of them was pretty tall.” He made a face. “They were both wearing balaclavas.”

“So we can’t be sure. But it’s possible.” She didn’t know what to think.

“Yeah, it’s possible. But why you?” Jerome asked.

“If they followed me to work, and saw me on my rounds, maybe the uniform scared them. Maybe they don’t realize that traffic wardens aren’t part of the police. If they thought I had the ability to start an investigation, maybe someone panicked?” She actually did have that ability, but because of James, not through her own work.

“And they were right to.” Jerome gave a slow nod. “Because your man said on the books or off the books, right?”

“Yes.” She rubbed her forehead, then stood up slowly to collect the mug.

“You’re hurt.” Jerome sounded like he just realized it.

“I was pushed in front of a bus, but that actually wasn’t that bad. The push into the traffic was harder. I’ve got some road rash on my back.” She made herself smile. “I’m stiff, mainly. Nothing a good night’s sleep won’t cure.”

“Damn.” Jerome got to his feet. “Let me know when you leave tomorrow. I’ll walk you to the bus.”

“Thanks, Jerome, but I’m leaving really early tomorrow. I was just being paranoid earlier with Liz. So far the attacks have been near busy streets.” She opened the door for him.

“That Liz.” Jerome stepped out and came to a stop outside his own door. “I’ve heard about her, but meeting her was good. She’s nice. It’s a shame about her and Melvin.”

“I know.” Gabriella lifted her shoulders. “She’s trying to respect Melvin’s wishes.”

Jerome nodded, and spread his hands, in a what-are-you-going-to-do gesture. “You keep an eye out, now.” He pointed at her. “I’ll speak to Solomon. If Sutcliffe is behind this, it might be more than just you he’s targeting.”

They said their goodnights, and Gabriella curled up in bed, struggling to find a comfortable way to lie with all her scrapes.

She hadn’t heard from James, but guessed he would be hard at work to find the shooters and stop them before someone else got killed.

The rain started up again, and she fell asleep to the drip drip drip into the bucket she’d set under the leak in her ceiling, and the patter of rain drops on her window.

She got a late start because Liz hadn’t been able to find her a spare skirt in her size the day before, and repairs were only done during the week, not on weekends.