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Eliza’s body sagged as she sat against the stone wall, arms crossed. William glanced behind him and noticed her. He held the thief’s arms behind his back as he yelled to a constable. “Oi! Percy! Take this one and cuff ‘im for me, will ya?” Constable Percy had just finished shoving another gang member into the police wagon. Fitzroy was next to him, also cuffing a perpetrator.
“Yes, sir,” said Percy.
“Can you handle the rest of them, Fitzroy?” William said, passing off the man and looking back at Eliza’s weary form.
“Of course, sir,” Fitzroy replied, looking in the same direction as Duke. He dared to smile. “She’s quite something, isn’t she, sir?” Fitzroy had lowered his voice once he had shoved his fugitive into the wagon.
Duke had not stopped staring at Eliza once he’d handed off his gangster. “She is that,” William murmured. He walked through the throng of officers and criminals to where she was at a distance from the action, taking a well-deserved rest from the case.
William braced his hands and body against the low wall and sat to her right. Her long-expression confirmed what he suspected–she was exhausted. And no wonder. She’d been on the case since early morning.
Eliza kept her droopy eyes on the unfolding melee while turning her head toward William.
“This is quite the arrest,” she said, her voice flat, further confirming her fatigue.
“It is. The entire Cooper gang, in one place, is rare and unheard of. To lock them all up is a boon to Scotland Yard.”
Eliza’s head spun to glare at him. Placating her, he said, “And to the lone female detective who made the discovery in the first place. I plan to inform Mr. Sinclair of your involvement before he writes his story. Don’t worry.”
Eliza’s sharp look fell away, and the fatigue crept back in. “I suppose you want to hear how I came to find them here? You’ll want my statement.”
William’s voice softened. “Yes, but it can wait until morning. You should go home. Get some rest. Your note said you’d been trailing Alfie Cooper since this morning?”
Eliza smirked. “I couldn’t sleep. I was reviewing a staff list I hadn’t checked yet when I saw his name as the caretaker’s assistant. He had the opportunity to take Mrs. Audley’s diamond necklace. We know how the Coopers like jewels.”
“Mm,” William said, moving to cross his arms while he listened. He inched towards her.
“I remembered something Moses had once said–he avoids this part of the riverfront because the Coopers have a known hideout here. I had to make subtle inquiries to avoid suspicion and narrow the location. It wasn’t easy without Moses’ help. Lord knows where he’s been these past few days…,” She shook her head, revealing her dismay at her associate’s ability to be unavailable when she most needed him.
“That alone should have kept you from this part of the Thames. IF Moses avoids this area, you should as well.” William’s voice lacked the berating tone he took with her when confronting Eliza about her dangerous choices.
“I sent for you, didn’t I?” Eliza scoffed, expecting an argument despite William’s easy speech.
“You did.” He glanced at the officers to ensure no one was looking their way, then reached for her right hand and caressed his thumb in her palm. “I’m very glad you did.”
Eliza stared at their hands, and then at William. An air of surprise replaced her weariness. She, too, snuck a glance at the officers. A second wagon had arrived, and the rest of the gang was being shoved into it, Fitzroy barking orders and manhandling any contumacious men.
“I only wanted to find Alfie and Mrs. Audley’s necklace. When I located the hideout, I could hear how many men were inside. I never dreamed the entire gang could be here. I knew I couldn’t go in by myself. They could overpower me,” Eliza said, still staring at the scene. William continued to rub her palm while letting Eliza talk.
“A young lad ran past, and I offered him money to fetch you and your men. I stayed hidden until you could get here.”
When she turned back, William wasted no time: he leaned down and pecked her right cheek. Her face flushed immediately, and a small rush of energy infused her when his warm lips touched her face.
Eliza blinked up at him, their hands still linked. “What was that for?” her voice thick.
“For sending for me,” he said, “and for not getting killed.” William’s pupils dilated so his eyes appeared deep green in the growing darkness. The grasp of his hand reinforced the heat in his stare—she could feel it. She sensed if it had been possible, he’d have done more. Eliza realized she rather liked the idea.
William looked away, and then promptly removed his hand. Following his gaze, she saw Fitzroy heading toward them. The loss of his warmth was immediate, and she felt agitated by it. William stood, his air of professionalism removing any amorous body language. She also stood.
“Miss Scarlet,” Fitzroy beamed his fond smile for her and tipped his hat, then turned to Duke. “Inspector, I’ve got constables scouring the rest of the warehouse for hiding places and for possible loot, but I believe that’s all of them. The entire Cooper gang.” Fitzroy placed his hands on his hips and looked pleased. “Am I to understand that you’re responsible for this effectuation, Miss Scarlet?”
Eliza’s energy lifted at Fitzroy’s impressive vocabulary. Her grin broadened when she noticed William frowning. “I suppose I am,” she said, her eyes flashing.
“Yes, and now she’s going home to rest.” William interjected when Eliza opened her mouth to object: “I will have a carriage fetch you tomorrow morning so you can come in and make your statement. 8 o’clock.”
Eliza scowled. She felt energized enough to tease him. “Oh, god, no, not that early. Ten o’clock.”
William raised an eyebrow. “8:30.”
Eliza held back a smirk and put her hands on her hips. “9:30.”
“Nine o’clock.”
“Nine fifteen. Last offer.” Eliza stepped closer to him. A bold move since Fitzroy was there. But she wanted Duke to know she was just playing and approved of his loving gestures earlier.
William’s jaw set and his mouth twisted. Of course, he’d let her have her way. He’d give her almost anything. And not because she just helped put away an enormous source of London’s crime. Staring down into her gleaming face, because they were almost toe to toe, he huffed, “Fine.” His expression warm, he blinked slowly.
Fitzroy rocked back and forth on his heels for a few moments, witnessing their spark. HE broke the tension with a throat clearing that jolted both Eliza and William out of their stupor. “Shall I hail a cab for Miss Scarlet, then?” he asked.
William tore his eyes from Eliza and said, “No, have Arthur drive her home.” Turning to her, he said, “I would accompany you, but I should be at the Yard to oversee these arrests. We’ll be working most of the night to process them all.”
Eliza smiled. “I understand.”
Both he and Fitzroy began to walk away. William made it a few steps and then turned back and said, “Oh, and well done. Henry would be proud. I know I am.”
Eliza melted. Her eyes watered. She breathed, “Thank you, William.”