Page 84 of The Ambiguous Enigma of the Hunted Lady
They came together, wrapping into a fierce embrace of passionate expression, lost to each other for the briefest of spells – so intense was the energy Kenneth felt for the woman in his arms that all else faded to nothing around him – before they were interrupted by clapping.
“Bravo!” the Marquess cheered. “Bravo indeed! Never in my life have I been so moved, or close to it, even in the theater. Good Lord, I suppose I might cry.” he dappled the corner of his rosy face with a kerchief.
“Bloody hell.” Kenneth jumped. “I had forgotten they were here.”
“So, did I.” Leah laughed out, and Kenneth felt his heart soar.
“So, you wana' get rid of Riphook and this Cornelius fellow.” Nash spoke up from the corner. “How exactly you goin' do that? Rip is holed up in Devil's Acre, good luck getting him out of there.”
“He's right.” Leah stiffened a bit, withdrawing from Kenneth's arms. “Those four streets are a tangled fortress.”
“Why are we trusting him?” Kenneth remembered dodging Nash's fists.
“I wana' get Riphook as bad as you,” Nash protested. “Look what he done to my face!” Nash let his hood down, and the whole room took a somber glance at the burns before Nash raised the hood again.
“We can trust Nash,. Leah said. “He doesn't work for Rip any longer. He warned Dr. Fowler that Riphook was after him.”
“The good Dr. Fowler.” Kenneth shook his head. “What a surprise indeed. He was always an odd one, but my, he has outdone himself.”
“What of the Parish watch?” Winchester spoke up. “Surely they would care to dispose of the rabble.”
“Getting all of them together is giving license to a mob.” Kenneth sighed. “We cannot rely on them. We must accomplish this ourselves. Let us think, how can we make him come out?”
“It is impossible to make him do anything he doesn't want to do,” Nash said. “He'll move on his own time. He's the boss.”
“Save for my uncle is his boss.” Kenneth chewed an idea.
“That's brilliant.” Leah smiled, clearly picking up on his train of thought.
“What are you two going on about?” Nash squinted.
“Surely my uncle does not travel to the Devil's Acre to meet with Riphook. He cannot be seen there. And Riphook cannot be seen entering his home or offices. Leah, do you remember where they met when you were with them?”
“It was a long pier, I remember that,” Leah replied.
“The wharfs,” Nash added. “It's a good spot.”
“But how do we know when they are going to meet?” Kenneth questioned. “And which pier? There are beyond many along the length of the river.”
“That one is simple.” Leah said casually. “We will ask him.”
“What do you mean, we ask him?” The Marquess gasped, fluttering his hand to his mouth.
“I mean we go to his house and force him to set up a meeting with Riphook.” Leah explained. “Then we have them both in one place, out in the open.”
“Why would Lord Wilson ever agree to such terms?” Winchester went on. “I find it unlikely.”
“He will have no choice.” Kenneth said. “For you will already be raising Judge Roberts.”
“I will?” Winchester cocked his head.
“You will inform him of the case we have built here, albeit hastily, alas you have enough of the main elements to grab his interest, do you not?” Kenneth reasoned out.
“I suppose I do,” the Marquess replied.
“So, my uncle's choice will be to either go alone to the law, or bring a culprit that will look much more favorable to the court alongside him.”
“That is my worry, again.” Leah interjected. “If you try Cornelius beside Riphook, and it is known Cornelius helped to bring Riphook under arrest, then he will surely go free while Riphook faces the gallows.”
