Then a whistle blew shrill in the night. ‘Ahoy, Phoenix! Stop in the name of King George,’ came a voice from the waters below.
‘It’s the Bow Street runners,’ shouted the bosun, peering out into the night. ‘There’s six of ’em packed like sardines in a lighter. We can’t ignore ’em – they’ll catch up with us down river if we do and there’ll be hell to pay.’
A delighted smile spread across Hawkins’ face. He looked across at me, sensing a consolation prize within his grasp. ‘Yes, do stop, captain. I think they just want to relieve you of some unwanted cargo.’
I thought of making a run for it. Shepherd was still lounging against the rail, watching the drama unfold with a sardonic expression on his face. He might be prevailed upon to take me off before the runners had a chance to catch me. But Mr Equiano put a hand on my shoulder.
‘Stay where you are,’ he whispered as I made a move to bolt away. ‘It will be all right.’
There was a pause as the runners climbed over the side. My old acquaintance, Constable Lennox, came first. He soon spotted me in the huddle around Pedro despite my much altered exterior.
‘Captain, I’ve come to arrest that girl over there.’ He pointed at me. ‘And a merry dance she’s led us!’
‘You’re welcome to her,’ said Janssen. ‘She’s nothing to do with me.’
Mr Sharp stepped forward. ‘Constable, I’m delighted to see you. I have here a writ from the magistrate which I am having some difficulty in executing. As you’ll see, it expressly states that the person named below must present himself before the magistrate with one Pedro Hawkins – a boy who he has been holding against his will.’
Hawkins growled, ‘It’s none of his business. Let the man get on with his job.’
‘As an officer in the employ of the said magistrate,’ continued Sharp loudly, ‘it is, of course, your duty to see that the writ is carried out to the letter.’
Constable Lennox read the writ through, a frown on his brow. ‘And where do I find Mr Kingston Hawkins?’
‘Fortunately, he is at hand, sir,’ said Mr Sharp, gesturing to Pedro’s old master. ‘And I’m sure the magistrate will be most interested in the African boy’s testimony for it will show that Mr Hawkins lied under oath when he said he had no knowledge of the child’s whereabouts. That is perjury and punishable by a severe prison sentence, as I’m sure you know. Oh yes, and we will also be lodging a charge of attempted murder by Mr Hawkins when he attacked that girl there, an incident witnessed by all now present, including this lady, her grace, the Duchess of Avon.’
‘You see, constable,’ said the duchess in clarion tones, ‘you thought you’d caught our little cat and you’ve come away with a tiger in the bargain.’
‘This is preposterous!’ spluttered Hawkins. ‘I’m not going back with that clown!’
The Bow Street runner did not like the implication that he was in any way ridiculous. He puffed up his chest and faced Mr Hawkins, the highly polished brass buttons of his uniform glinting in the lantern light. ‘Oh, but you are, sir. This writ is binding. I have no choice but to take you – by force if you will not come quietly. I take the girl too, of course,’ Lennox added with evident satisfaction. Two arrests in one night would look good on his record sheet.
‘Indeed, you must do your duty, constable,’ said Mr Sharp. ‘We will all come with you. But you may find on arrival at the court that Mr Hawkins will wish to drop his charge of assault against Miss Royal here when it is weighed against a counter-charge of attempted murder.’
Reluctantly, I left my friends and crossed the deck to surrender myself up to the runners. Two of them seized my arms tightly, determined not to let me give them the slip again. They chained my hands, Reader, but of course left that so-called gentleman, Hawkins, unfettered. He was escorted first to the boat. As I waited for my turn, Shepherd appeared at my side.
Frank and Charlie were with me in an instant.
‘Pssst! Moggy,’ hissed Billy. ‘Tell your bulldogs to back off. I only want a quick word.’
He was hardly going to try anything surrounded by so many officers of the law. I gave Frank and Charlie a nod.
‘It’s all right. I’d better hear what he has to say.’
Reluctantly they moved off, remaining within call.
‘Looks like you’ll be back ’ome soon, don’t it?’ said Billy, leaning with his elbows on the rail, gazing back at the lights of the city. ‘I told ’Awkins I ’ad me money on you rather than ’im.’
‘Thanks for your vote of confidence,’ I said sourly.
‘That’s all right, Moggy. You were just grand. It was worth the trip out ’ere to see you shove that mop in ’is face. Shame I won’t be joining you tonight in the lock-up: I do so enjoy our little chats down there.’ He jingled my chains. ‘You ain’t forgotten, ’ave you?’
‘Forgotten what?’
‘Our bargain.’
Of course I hadn’t. The thought filled me with dread. My promise would still be hanging over me even if I did escape gaol. I was bound by my word, not only for my own honour, but also because I knew that, if I didn’t keep it, Billy’s game with me would be over and he’d most likely do away with me. I was stuck with the bargain I’d made. ‘Billy, can’t you just leave me alone? I promise I’ll never come near you again.’
Giving me an enigmatic smile, he reached out and gave a tug on one of my curls. I flinched back and he took his hand away. ‘I kept it,’ he said and felt in his jacket pocket. I thought for a moment that he was going to pull a knife on me. ‘Nah, Cat, it’s not what you think. I kept this.’ He held out a long lock of hair – my hair – the piece he’d shaved off almost a year ago.
‘That’s sick, Billy,’ I said in disgust.
‘When I want you to come, I’ll send you this to let you know it’s time. See you, Cat.’