Kate stepped inside the front room of the Bermondsey house. “Gentlemen,” she said. “Mr Jay has a little job for you.”
The three men looked up. Ned Hind held a pack of cards, one of the grenadiers was carving a piece of wood, and the other sharpened a knife. “What does he want?” Hind asked, shuffling the cards.
“Mr Jay wants you to discourage some youths.” Kate remained by the door.
“Come in, Kate,” Hind invited, dealing seven cards in front of him. “Sit down and tell us more.”
The room contained a table, four chairs, a chest of drawers and a sideboard. The floor was swept and clean, and the window gleamed. Kate could not see a single speck of dust anywhere.
“Coffee?” the taller of the ex-soldiers invited and nodded to his companion. Within minutes, Kate was sipping at a mug of fresh c
