David put his head down on the table, resting his forehead against folded arms that made an uncomfortable pillow. He couldn't take up Mrs Hughes' offer of sleeping in one of the empty rooms in the attics as he had to know Chris was safe before he could have any hope of sleeping. Most of the ther staff had gone upstairs to rest if not sleep. It was just himself, Mr Bates and Phyllis who David suspected was only still present because she was keeping an eye on him. David yawned and then groaned into his hands. His eyes were feeling heavy and his head hurt. His headache, caused by stress of all that had happened and was yet to happen as well as exhaustion, would only be eased with reassurance he reckoned.
He heard the clock chime twelve times out in the hallway. Midnight. Where is he? David sat up again so he could listen out for any sound that might indicate that Chris was back. David couldn't stop going over the possibilities of what might have happened to him out in the woods. Had Martin shot him? Had he fallen and hurt himself? Is he lost? He sighed into his hands again. Never before has he felt so tired.
"You should go to bed Mr Mortimer."
David took his hands off his face, and looked up. Mr Bates was sitting diagonally opposite him and looking almost as worn out as him. "Not yet. I'll wait a bit more. But you two don't have to stay, I'm okay."
"Well you are clearly not okay and I don't know about Miss Baxter, but I'd not get much sleep anyway."
"No you're right Mr Bates," Phyllis agreed. "I don't think I would sleep either. Also someone needs to be here when Mr Barrow comes out of his office."
Thomas had retreated to his office after coming back downstairs earlier. He had just said that he needed some time alone to think. He also said that he needed to telephone Richard's parents and they won't know about what's happened yet. Phyllis had offered to make that call for him but Thomas had declined saying that it would be best if it came from him. David just wished that he could do something to help, anything to make this situation a little brighter, but he had no idea what to do now and was too worried about Chris to think of much else. "The door is still unlocked right?"
"You asked that earlier," Mr Bates answered.
"Oh, yes of course. Sorry. I forgot."
Phyllis smiled reassuringly at him. "You've got a lot on your plate, don't worry." David saw her glance in the direction of Thomas's office door. "He must have finished his call now. I'll go and check on him in a little while." In truth David knew that he and Phyllis shared the fear of Thomas shutting himself away saying that he needed time alone. He could see that it worried her, and it worried him too.
"I will be happier once everyone is accounted for. Once Stephen and Daniel return, Mr Webster too," Mr Bates said. "Why is Mr Webster still out there Mr Mortimer? You were very vague earlier."
David thought it best to keep the details of what he asked Chris to do as secret as possible for now, as he couldn't tell them the real story without telling some of Chris's secrets. "He's helping with something."
"On his own in the dark?" Mr Bates queried.
"It was not ideal okay?" David snapped, taking Mr Bates by surprise. "I did not want to ask him but there was no other way." Now he had put his foot in it. Lost his temper and said too much so that now they would need to know more details. "Martin Lee, that is the man that tried to kill me and who is responsible for Richard's injury, is still out there as we all know."
"Yes?" Mr Bates prompted.
"Someone had to make sure he didn't get away." He couldn't look either of them in the eye, he could feel their judgemental gaze on him though, unless that was his own paranoia.
"So you sent a man who is unable to run after a murderous armed man?" David wasn't sure if Mr Bates' tone was one of anger or of shock.
"Yes. But he is more capable than you think. I know that." David whispered the last phrase, as though he didn't believe his own words.
"And he just agreed too?" Mr Bates asked. David nodded. "Why would he do that?"
Because I asked him too. Because he loves me. He loves me. "I don't know," he lied instead. Just then though there was a click at the door followed immediately by the sound of the door opening with a little creak. David jumped up and crossed the room urgently to the door, desperate to see who had returned. As he turned the corner and saw who it was he immediately felt relief flood over him. "Oh thank God!" David strode down the hallway towards Chris who was standing by the door still. David didn't hesitate. He threw his arms around him, pulling him in close before kissing him, fully aware that they were only a few feet away from the others. David felt Chris's hand in his hair on the back of his head as he responded, kissing him fully as though his life depended on it. He felt something drip from Chris's face onto his as they were locked together. Rain drop or a tear? David moved his hand down Chris's back until he stopped as he felt the familiar shape of a revolver hidden under his jacket. For a moment all was perfect, but now he was hurled head first back into reality. "Did you—?"
Chris nodded as they parted. "I found him."
"And did they...Is he—?"
"He won't be a problem anymore," Chris said blankly.
Now David didn't know what to think. "Did you—?"
"No. I could have but I didn't." Chris stepped close to him once more, he rested his forehead against his own. David closed his eyes and took the moment to appreciate that all was not lost after all. Chris stood back again and looked him in the eyes. "I was tempted. Martin said that he could see that I have the capability within me. He told me he could tell there was a darkness within me. That is why I took so long to come here. I had to deal with myself before I came here. Had to come to terms with some things I guess."
"You spoke to him?"
"I know it wasn't part of the plan but he would never have stayed put until the police arrived unless I did. He never saw me, but he was right about me. He could tell more about me without even setting eyes on me, than I knew about myself. What does that say about me David?" Chris's voice was full of anguish.
"If you are tainted by the things that people did to you and the things people made you do, then it is not your fault. But I see you. I know you and I know the goodness in your heart. I see your love, and your bravery. Martin is ignorant. He knows nothing about you as he will never see what I see."
Chris ran his hand through hair, which David could see was wet and messy too. He scoffed. "You really mean that?"
"With all of my heart," he said softly.
The anguish Chris's face softened. "Is Thomas here?"
"Yes, he's in his office."
"Alone?"
"Yes, he wanted to be for a bit."
"And you believed him?"
"He had to call Richard's parents, he insisted on doing that himself." David said to justify their decision, but he felt stupid all of a sudden. He felt guilty. "He wouldn't like to be crowded."
"No, I understand that. I didn't mean to sound disapproving, but he needs to know he's not alone."
David nodded and kissed Chris again. They were pushing their luck but they needed each other's comfort more than ever now. "I'm so glad you're here with me."
...
Mr Bates stood up slowly, feeling stiff while sitting for hours. David had been out in the hall for a while now and he and Miss Baxter could only make out the occasional word of conversation. He knew it was Mr Webster that had returned but now his curiosity overwhelmed him and he peered around the doorway just in time to see something that shocked him.
It did not shock him to see two men embracing and kissing each other. Mr Barrow and Mr Ellis's relationship over the past few years had educated him enough about love to not see something wrong in that. He was just more shocked that he never saw this coming between Mr Mortimer and Mr Webster. Part of him was glad. He had spoken to Mr Webster at the cricket match the past summer and had found out about his feelings for Thomas that obviously could not be returned as Thomas loved another. Mr Webster and Mr Mortimer had hid it so well, but they had no choice but to do so.
Suppose that explains a few things.
…
Thomas jumped awake, painfully hitting the back of his head against the wall he had been sitting up against on the floor of his office. He didn't remember falling asleep, his last memory was falling to his knees and looking up through blurry eyes to the ceiling. He had been alone before drifting off for a while and had not been able to rest. He must have walked over every inch of the small room several times over in an attempt to settle a little but in the end exhaustion must have overcome him. He did not feel rested however. He felt so powerless, so empty and alone. He had known that everyone else had meant well in trying to offer him comfort and he really did need the motherly comfort that Mrs Hughes gave him as well as David's shoulder to cry on, but none of that would make his pain go away. He glanced up at the telephone. It was a connection to the outside world, it could give him answers but not now. Not when he, as far as any doctors or nurses were concerned, wasn't someone who needed urgent news of any updates. He just wanted to know. He needed to know if Richard was even still alive. Perhaps if he was more of a romantic then he would believe he would know by some sort of gut feeling. Richard has told him that he is a romantic, but Thomas doesn't think he is to that degree.
There were voices out beyond the closed door of his office. Stephen and Daniel, he reckoned as well as Phyllis perhaps? The door creaked slowly open, a beam of light from outside the room cutting through the darkness of the office. Until this moment, Thomas didn't realise he had been sitting in darkness all of this time. Thomas rubbed his eyes with the intention of hiding the evidence of his tears, not that it would fool anyone anyway. Phyllis looked in, tentatively it seemed. He didn't blame her. He knew that he has a tendency to anger when hurt, just how he's always been, but he didn't feel any anger or any desire to defend himself. He didn't have the strength anymore.
"Can I come in Thomas?"
"You already are in here. S'pose you've come to check I'm still here right?"
"Chris was concerned that you've been alone too long. As have the rest of us." She pushed the door back behind her so it was almost closed, so a slither of light still remained.
"I needed some time to think. Usually there is always something I can do, but there's nothing now. I just have to sit here and wait. People would probably pray, but I've never been much of a believer in all of that."
"Can I put the light on?" Phyllis asked.
"Not the bright one. I have a headache." Thomas appreciated being able to see his surroundings once again. "Thank you."
"Would you lie down upstairs at least? You'd be more comfortable," She suggested, kneeling down in front of him.
"Not really. Too many memories of us in my room. There are too many in here too but there's not much I can do about that. I don't want to remember, just in case from this moment on, that is all I'll ever have of him." Thomas wiped his eyes again, trying to stop the tears from falling. He sniffed. "I'm sorry, you don't need to hear this. I don't want to make you feel awkward with not knowing what to say. I just, I just want to know. Just one way or another if he's...Whether I'll ever see him again you know?"
"I know Thomas," she said sadly with sympathetic eyes.
The door opened slowly again and Chris looked in. "Thomas, I have someone who wants to see you. He's been anxious too. Stephen and Daniel found him outside." Thomas looked up to see his and Richard's cat, Wilde in Chris's arms, who looked at him with big round black eyes. He jumped down onto the ground and nuzzled his little black head into his beant knee. "I think he was trying to find you."
"Hello," Thomas said softly to the cat, who was now purring loudly and making himself busy with climbing onto his lap and using him as a cushion. Not that he minded at all, he felt the warmth of the animal against his stomach and he smiled a little in response.
"If you won't go upstairs Thomas, would you at least let me fetch you a few blankets?" Phyllis asked.
"Yes thank you. But get one for Wilde too, there should be some older ones somewhere," Thomas added. After Phyllis left, Chris stayed. He sat down slowly on the chair, his face creased with pain as he settled himself down. "Are you alright? David told me where you've been and what you did."
Chris nodded slowly. "Thought he would. Done too much on my feet that's all. I'll be feeling the consequences for a few days I reckon."
"You didn't have to go after him. I was angry with David, I admit, for asking you too."
"I agreed freely enough. I didn't want to do nothing anyway. I was useful at least, and I was successful. Martin won't be hurting anyone ever again Thomas."
Thomas looked up at him. "Thank you. I wish you never had to face him though."
"I never actually faced him, he never saw me. I kept him there with the threat that I'd kill him if he moved."
"I know you were armed. You never told me that you had a weapon?"
Chris shrugged. "I never wanted to be reminded that I did. I never wanted to see it again so I hid it away. I was tempted a month or so ago to throw it out but something told me to hang onto it, and despite how it made me feel, I'm glad I did."
"You're brave then. Memories hurt more than present danger I think." Thomas shifted a little so that Wilde could rest his head down on his leg easier.
"Coming from you Thomas, that means a lot. I'm gonna talk to the others and see if there is a way we can get some news for you about Richard. You should be there now, you should be the first to know everything. If the world was a kinder place."
They were quiet for a few minutes, Thomas found himself feeling just that little easier whilst gently stroking Wilde, who was falling asleep after the 'pre-sleep routine' that cats always do. "I think he must be confused." He looked down at the sleeping cat that was warming his lap.
"He cares about you both a lot. I always thought cats were rather self centered animals but he proves me wrong." Chris stood up and sat down on the floor carefully next to him before stroking the sleeping cat as well. Thomas had a fleeting thought about how the Chris he knew before David came along into his life, would never have done such a thing. The selfish part of him sometimes felt a little jealous that he wasn't the centre of Chris's world anymore, but Chris was happier now, and it showed in his confidence.
"He misses him, he'll be looking for him tomorrow I bet." Thomas heard the sadness in his own voice. His mood would only lift temporarily before something would remind him that all was not okay after all. Richard was still in danger.
"I can stay here if you like me too Thomas?" Chris asked, glancing at him quickly before looking away.
"David will miss you. I reckon he's staying at Downton tonight, like everyone else is."
"He may do, but you need...you need someone more right now."
Thomas heard Chris's voice falter and he could feel his nervousness. He could almost guess what he was thinking. What if he gets the wrong idea? "If you're sure? The floor is not the nicest place to sleep. I don't want to be upstairs now though, but you can be."
Chris smirked, "I've had far less pleasant places to sleep before as you know. I'll be fine, as long as you want me too? I don't want to force your hand at all."
"You're not Chris. I think...I don't know, I may not want to be alone anymore. But the thing is, what will people think if they find you here with me in the morning?"
"I don't think, under the circumstances, people will be worried about that." Chris smirked again.
"What?" Thomas asked, wondering what was so amusing.
"Well, if anyone does, I will happily tell them where to put their opinions, okay?"
Thomas managed a small smile at that remark. "Okay."
"I should get another blanket or something though. Miss Baxter doesn't know it's gonna be me here too." Chris stood up, pushing himself up using the wall as support. Thomas still couldn't get his head around how he has so many friends who are willing to give so much for him.
"I do keep spending time with you on cold stone floors don't I?" Thomas joked in spite of himself.
"It's becoming a running private joke." Chris opened the door. "I'll be back in a few minutes and then we can sleep or talk or whatever okay? I've got nothing special to do tomorrow so if I'm tired then so be it."
"Thank you Chris." Thomas said sincerely. He was sure that his loyal friend knew he was not just thanking him for the blankets.
...
The first light of a new day slowly creeped into every corner of Downton as Charlotte woke and dressed herself for the beginning of another day. It would not be an ordinary day, she knew that. There was nothing ordinary about anything right now. She was always one of the first to get up and go downstairs to start on the servants breakfast in the kitchen but she was used to seeing no one else other than maybe Daisy, Alfred, or Mrs Patmore at this time of the morning. Today though, as she descended the stairs and looked into the servants hall saw she was not alone. Mr Mortimer was asleep in what was unofficially known as Mr Barrows chair in the corner. Mr Bates and Miss Baxter were nowhere to be seen so she assumed they must have gone upstairs to bed finally last night. However, Stephen and Daniel were still downstairs. She frowned curiously as she saw that Stephen had fallen asleep with his head resting on Daniel's shoulder, with Danel leaning against Stephen in his sleep as well. She crept over to them both and David stirred in his chair as he shoes clicked against the stone floor. "Stephen," she whispered loudly. "Stephen," she repeated a little louder and whilst shaking his shoulder a little to rouse him.
"Hmm. What?" Stephen mumbled as he woke, Daniel blinking awake also. He looked at her with a puzzled expression on his face. "Charlotte? What are you doing in my?..." He glanced around. "...Oh, I see," he mumbled again as he yawned and became aware of his surroundings.
"Oh did we fall asleep here?" Daniel asked.
"Clearly we did," Stephen answered, still drowsy.
"Thought you should get up before everyone else comes downstairs," Charlotte said. She left Stephen and Daniel to wake up, her curiosity at their closeness to each other lingering in her mind, but it was not important. Not today. Other things mattered more. As she made her way to the kitchen she caught Mr Webster sneaking into the building from outside with a bag over his arm, as he closed the door as silently as he could. "Morning," she greeted. Somehow saying 'good morning' just didn't seem appropriate.
Mr Webster looked away from the door quickly, not realising she was there. "Morning Charlotte. I've just been out to get some things for Mr Barrow, clothes and such from his place. I have a key for the shop."
"That's good of you. You must get some rest though, you look awful."
"I expect I do," he answered wearily with a heavy sigh.
"How is Mr Barrow?"
"He slept eventually last night so I suppose that's something. He would be better I think, if he just had some news about Richard. Even if it were bad. Its not knowing anything...that's what is dragging him down."
"He can't get any news? I know, at least I expect, visiting is impossible since they are…well you know, not officially a couple," She felt a bit awkward saying it, it was something people never actually said, but everyone here knew. They were a couple but not to the outside world. "Could they telephone at least?"
"I was thinking the same and honestly it disgusts me the way things are that he can't even..." Chris closed his eyes as though he was buying himself time to gather his thoughts. Charlotte felt the anger in his voice, and he must have seen her reaction before she knew it herself. "...Sorry Charlotte. I'm just frustrated by it. If Richard didn't have his parents to come and see him, he would have no one, despite the fact that he has someone who, who cares for him very much." He huffed and looked at the ceiling. "I shouldn't be saying this."
"We all care about Mr Barrow and I like Mr Ellis, we all do. I expect your concerns are shared by many of us too."
"Thank you. I'd better go and see if he's awake. Wilde, his cat, is here too. Came looking for them last night I expect. Could you fetch him a little something for breakfast?"
Charlotte smiled at his affection for the cat. "I expect I can find something no one will miss too much."
...
Chris cursed himself silently as he left Charlotte as she went to the kitchens. He was letting his guard down, letting his anger get the better of him. He was angry now. Last night he was worried, he still is, but now he's annoyed. If Thomas and Richard were a married couple, if such impossibilities could ever be true, then Thomas could be there for him, no matter what the outcome, he would have that at least. But instead, he is stuck here at Downton miles away from where he really wants to be, without even the courtesy of a simple call to let him know if Richard is even still breathing.
He had only slept for a few hours at most, and he was woken by the pain in his leg and his own troubled dreams. He had left Downton before dawn, taking the key from Thomas's desk, instead of unlocking the door by other methods he knew, and had first gone to his cottage to get something for his pain and to change his clothes, and then after feeling a little better, to the shop in the village. He had felt like he was breaking in, creeping around Thomas and Richard's home, silently opening doors and pulling out draws in their bedroom to get clothes for Thomas to feel more himself in. He kept on feeling like he was back in those days in York when he had temporarily become a thief. Everything had just been left. There were still cups and dishes on the side in the kitchen, Richard's slippers kicked off carelessly on the living room floor. Evidence of a life abandoned in a moment. He always felt at home in that building, but this time he couldn't wait to leave.
He placed the bag down on the floor of Thomas's office and pulled the blanket up over his friend's shoulders, who was still sleeping. Wilde looked up, blinked and yawned and then closed his eyes, still keeping an almost protective vigil over his owner. Chris closed the door as silently as he could just as David came to join him from the servants hall.
"He's still asleep?" David asked.
"He is. Probably best for now."
"Where did you go? I saw you sneak out earlier."
"Went to get some clothes for Thomas and to change myself. I reckon he will be staying here for a while yet. I couldn't sleep so I thought I may as well."
"You should have asked me to do that. You look exhausted Chris," David tenderly touched his arm briefly, before snatching it away upon hearing footsteps descending the stairs above them. "Take my chair in there, put your leg up okay? Please?"
"Thank you," he smiled gratefully before he was then surprised by a quick risky kiss on his cheek from David, before David left in the direction of Thomas's office.
...
"Follow my lead Charlotte," Mrs Hughes said as she and the maid walked quickly to the breakfast room upstairs later on in the morning.
"Yes Mrs Hughes, but won't they mind us being up here instead of Mr Barrow?"
"They might but we've been in situations like this before where there has been no other option than to have kitchen maids serving at meals. We have to make do under the circumstances." Mrs Hughes opened the door and held it open for Charlotte who was carrying the tray with the coffee pot on it. She expected that by now, word would be starting to spread about the incident in the woods last night. People would have seen the police she reckoned. She also hoped that Mr Bates, Anna and Miss Baxter would have said something about it whilst dressing Lord Grantham, Lady Mary and Lady Grantham this morning. It would take the edge of the shock.
"Mrs Hughes, so it is true then, Barrow is unable to be here this morning?" Lady Mary, who often ate breakfast downstairs, despite the fact that she was a married woman and therefore able to have breakfast served to her in bed.
"Yes, M'Lady. He's not capable at the moment," she explained vaguely, carefully choosing her words.
"We were just discussing the incident that Bates told me about last night. It is true then that Mr Ellis has been injured and is in hospital?" Lord Grantham asked.
"I don't know how much you have been told M'Lord but he was seriously hurt last night."
"How seriously?" Mr Tablot asked, sitting across from his wife.
"We don't know much Mr Talbot, but...he was shot in the chest and his injuries are grave."
There were a few gasps of shock from around the table and Charlotte looked on with worry. She was failing at mastering the servants' blank, and Mrs Hughes didn't blame her. "Do we know if he's alive?" Mr Branson asked.
"We don't and that is why, as I hope you will understand, Mr Barrow is not in a fit state to be serving you. I hope you will excuse us if we don't follow the usual standards over the next few days as we don't know what will happen."
"No, no of course. Barrow cannot be expected to be here when his, when his friend is in such danger. Do we know how it happened? Bates only said that it had something to do with the farmer Mr Mortimer and someone connected to him," Lord Grantham asked.
"I don't think many of us know the full story, but yes a man who has been threatening Mr Mortimer for a long time came to find him, from what Mr Mortimer told us, he intended to shoot him, but Mr Ellis was shot instead, by mistake. The police have apprehended the man though."
Lady Mary nodded slowly to herself. "Well that is something at least. He won't get away with his crimes. Barrow cannot be with Mr Ellis I suppose."
"They couldn't risk it and I doubt they'd be allowed anyway. But there has been no news Mrs Hughes?" Lord Grantham asked.
"No and none will come this way even if there were M'Lord. Since Mr Barrow and Mr Ellis aren't family," she said dispondantly.
"We should at least find a way of getting him some news. He should know, one way or another," Mr Talbot remarked.
"I agree, and he is our butler," Lady Mary added.
"I doubt that would influence them much Mary," Lord Grantham took a sip of his coffee.
"Well it should. But we need to do something."
"I quite agree," Lady Grantham entered the room.
"Hello dear," Lord Grantham greeted her. "Are you well? You don't normally join us until later."
"No, I don't."
"Coffee M'Lady?" Charlotte offered.
"No, thank you Charlotte, I ate upstairs but I couldn't stay up there when there is so much to discuss and so much to attend to. Baxter filled me in on everything that has happened and the terrible news about Mr Ellis. I agree that we should find a way to get Barrow some news about Mr Ellis and I think I have found a solution that will not only get the information he is after, but also in a way that shouldn't raise any suspicions about Mr Ellis and himself." Lady Grantham sat at the space hastenly cleared for her by Charlotte. "I will make a few calls to some connections I have through the hospital board and have them telephone here with any news about Mr Eliis's progress. I will ask them to leave any news with our butler, which they shouldn't question, and that way Barrow can find out directly himself without any of us knowing before he does."
Mrs Hughes felt like she shared His Lordship's admiration for her for that idea. It was brilliant, and she had been thinking all morning of a safe way to get Mr Barrow some news but had overlooked Her Ladyship's hospital board connections. It's so simple, why did I not think of that? "You are brilliant my dear," he praised.
"Mama, that is a splendid idea!"
"Here, here," Mr Talbot agreed.
"Well, we still fund their work a great deal, I don't see why we can't expect a few favours every now and then," Lady Grantham smiled.
The door behind Mrs Hughes opened and Stephen entered, looking worried. "Sorry to interrupt, M'Lady but Sargeant Willis and a inspector from York police are here. I have shown them into the drawing room but they, the inspector especially, are impatient to speak to you regarding the incident last night. They also want to speak to Mr Barrow and everyone else who was involved."
"I see," Lord Grantham finished his cup of coffee. "Thank you Stephen, you may tell them that Mary and I will be along shortly."
"Yes M'Lord," Stephen nodded before leaving the room. Mrs Hughes was not surprised. She had expected this to happen today, they would need to take statements from all involved, even though they arrested the man responsible, he was still technically still just a suspect.
"We should all go," Lady Mary declared.
"They will only want to make us aware of their investigations since the crime occured on our property Mary," Lord Grantham stated.
"That may be papa, but I think it is best we all go as when the police are here for a reason concerning Barrow, especially since Mr Ellis is involved too, I think it is best that we give them the full force of our attention," she said with determination.
Mr Tablot smiled. "You make it sound like they are some invading party dear! Barrow is a victim here. Ellis too. They are not being questioned for any other reason."
"Are they not? Besides we cannot be too careful, they must not, the inspector especially, be given any cause to think anything improper about Barrow and Ellis's relationship. If they ask, we tell them what we know officially, that Barrow and Ellis are friends. Barrow lives with Mr Ellis as a lodger, he pays him rent. If necessary we can mention Mr Ellis has a female friend who lives in London."
"Does he?" Mr Branson asked.
"He does, she was at the cricket match in the summer."
"Oh yes I remember her!" Lord Grantham recalled. "She took over from Andy, she was very good, she won the match for us."
"Yes. But no one mentions anything about their personal lives at all unless we have no choice. We will keep the conversation strictly to the shooting and where it occurred. Am I clear?"
Beneath her neutral expression Mrs Hughes smiled admiringly at Lady Mary's leadership of this situation. She was reminded of the late Dowager Countess very much. She felt confident that they would deal with the police upstairs, but when they came to talk to Mr Barrow, Mr Mortimer and Mr Webster, she would have to keep a close eye on things herself.