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Two men in dark coats stood in front of the porch, the rain gusting over them, and one had a gun leveled at her.

The gate, Gabriella thought. If she’d closed it, they’d have heard it squeak open, but the sound of footsteps had been muffled by the heavy rain, and now it was too late.

“You need to walk away,” Gabriella said. “In fact, running is your only option. The police are on the way, and this is over.”

The one not holding the gun blinked, and she could see the blood drain from his face.

“Coming here?” he asked.

“Yes. I’ve already called them.”

“No she hasn’t, Robby,” the one holding the gun scoffed. “What’s she doing here, then?”

“I live nearby and I saw someone skulking around,” Ruby said. “I asked this officer to check on it. She stopped at the telephone box to call her station and then accompanied me.”

That was good, Gabriella thought. No mention of the envelopes or the message. Keeping it simple.

“Who’s inside?” Robby asked. “Who were you talking to?”

Gabriella hoped they hadn’t been listening to their conversation with Teddy Roe for too long.

“We don’t know, but they say there’s two people locked in the attic.” Gabriella straightened, her grip on her umbrella tightening as she wondered how she could use it as a weapon. “That’s a serious charge. Can you tell me what you know about it?”

“You were talking to him like you know who he is.” The one with the gun might be a little crazy, but he wasn’t stupid.

“What does it matter?” Robby said. “This officer’s been around before, I’ve seen her. We need to scarper, Pete.”

“Not bloody likely. Not without the proceeds,” Pete said.

“No. Not without the proceeds.” Robby lunged forward and grabbed Ruby, then pulled her off the porch, keeping a grip on her arm. “You, get down here, too,” he said, glaring at Gabriella. “Put your hands where I can see them.”

Gabriella stepped into the rain, holding her umbrella with both hands, feeling for the clip to collapse it with her fingers and turn it into more of a baton.

Pete stepped up to the door and slotted in a key, the gun pointed backward, loosely aimed toward Robby and Ruby.

“Don’t forget the bloke inside,” Robby said.

“I won’t.” Pete turned the gun toward the door, cocked the hammer, and swung the door open.

Teddy Roe gave a shout and Gabriella thought she caught a glimpse through the gap of him running at Pete, both arms above his head.

Pete took a surprised step back and shot him.

Teddy Roe went down with a cry, and Pete turned back, then raised his gun a little higher, over the tops of her, Ruby and Robby’s heads.

“Looks like that copper is desperate for me to shoot him,” he said.

Gabriella turned, and there was James, rain pelting down on him, a baton in his hand, gazed focused on Pete.

Hartridge stood just behind him, also holding a baton.

“Guess you weren’t lying about the coppers being on their way,” Robby said.

“Not just us, either,” James said. “The whole of the Flying Squad’s coming.”

“Shit. Pete, you keep the gun on them, I’ll get the stuff.” Robby let go of Ruby’s arm and ran up the front steps, around Pete, and Gabriella heard his boots on the stairs.

“You know I’m not afraid to use this,” Pete said, and Gabriella realized he was talking to James, who seemed a little closer to them than he had been. “Do you want one of these ladies dead?”