"Lock pick, wire, stamps, parchment, pens, ink, wax, matches, rope..." Anthony frowned down at the kit, certain something was missing. Staring up at the dusty ceiling of the apartment, he attempted to recall, until: "Oh, right, filleting knife!"
Tightening his dressing gown, he tiptoed over to the kitchen drawers and removed a wicked looking boning knife. Examining it for a moment, Anthony felt something troubling stir at the back of his mind. What could Mr. Todd possibly want with a filleting knife? But then there must be plenty of uses for a knife to aid a prison escape. Surely Mr. Todd would not kill a man unless he had to. And was he not fully in his right, considering?
While that didn't make complete sense, the ex-sailor filed such concerns into the recesses of his mind. He owed Mr. Todd his happiness. His wife would not be sleeping ever so prettily in their bed were it not for Mr. Todd.
Even if he did kill the judge, he reasoned, he did it to free Johanna.
Yes, that made perfect sense. More at ease, Anthony stowed the knife among the other contents awaiting delivery to Mr. Todd.
---
The aforementioned had just been returned to his cell. Mrs. Lovett was already there, toying with a piece of thread she had pulled out of the hem of her dress. She had been allowed to keep the fresh clothes, and for fourteen pence each time, she would be allowed to have them washed. She smiled to herself, the glow of pleasure evident in her face.
"What are you so pleased about?" Todd asked her, more curious than contemptuous.
"My solicitor is looking into my accounts, so that he might...erm...how did he phrase it? Secure certain luxuries on my behalf."
"Lucky you." Todd said wearily, sliding down the wall to his now familiar corner.
"In any case," she continued proudly, stretching her feet. "It means I ought to get a bath now and again, and my clothes will be kept in order."
"How lovely," Todd's lack of enthusiasm escaped Lovett entirely. Pursing her lips, she twisted the thread.
"I was thinking of letting you have in with some of it, too..."
"Joy."
"You needn't be like that, Mr. Todd," Lovett sniffed haughtily. "The only reason I offered was because I don't want to smell you rotting in your own skin. Unless of course your lawyer is going to manage for you."
"Hah," Todd laughed mirthlessly, his voice betraying a measure of exhaustion and doubtfulness. "I shouldn't think so, Mrs. Lovett. You were clearly more fortunate in that regard."
"Pity," Lovett said, secretly pleased. There was power to be had in such a position. Todd let his body sag against the wall, his eyes closing heavily. But he couldn't help thinking that it was something of a coincidence that Mrs. Lovett's solicitor was so accommodating, and his so hostile.
One might think they were deliberately favouring her over me...
Oh.
Todd's eyes immediately snapped open with the realization. Mrs. Lovett had retired to the opposite corner, still playing with the thread. They must be manoeuvring her into testifying against him. Todd licked his lips. To let them turn her against him would spell doom for his escape plans. If he was to prevent this, he must start restoring her confidence in him sooner rather than later.
"Perhaps, if you could arrange it, I might give you authorization to dip into my accounts as well," he suggested, watching her closely.
Intrigued by his sudden interest, Lovett cocked her head to the side. "How do you mean?"
"Well," Todd began, shifting over to her side of the cell. "I have a great many items of significant value...stashed away, so to speak."
"Come off it," Mrs. Lovett yawned. "Do you really?"
"Mmm," Todd leaned in, his lips an intimate distance from her ear as he whispered the cunning details. "You might tell your lawyer friend, mightn't you, my dear. He can pawn them for us."
"Us? What do you mean, us?" Mrs. Lovett frowned, instantly suspicious.
"I mean us. You and I," he reached out and took the string from her. Gently, he drew it across her cheek.
"Now, Mr. Todd," Lovett said firmly, pushing his hand away. "You mustn't tease."
"I never tease, Mrs. Lovett."
"I don't believe you."
"Have I ever lied to you?" He wasn't quite sure why, but he was stung by her rejection.
"They would...use it as evidence against you, you know," Mrs. Lovett pointed out. Then she mentally kicked herself, wishing she had not mentioned it. Todd surely wouldn't give her the location now.
"Tell him they're yours," he suggested, surprising her. "The items are jewellery, watches, things of that nature. All would fetch quite a price..."
Todd smiled inwardly, knowing her greed would overcome her shrewdness.
"If you aren't interested-"
"Who's to say I'm not?" Mrs. Lovett quickly interrupted. "But how am I to trust you?"
"I am trusting you not to testify against me using stolen items as evidence."
Lovett bit her lip, a small crease appearing between her eyebrows. Sensing victory was near, Todd leaned in and let his head rest against her shoulder.
"You wouldn't testify against me, would you? They'd only trick you out of an agreement and hang you just the same."
That gave Lovett pause. What if he was right? But Norwood wouldn't let that happen. Still, it was safer and more profitable to agree. And it was rather nice having his attention like this again.
"Very well," she conceded, fussing with a lock of his hair before smoothing it down and letting her cheek rest against his forehead.
"It'll be worth your while," Todd purred, picking up her hand and kissing her knuckles gently. "Liquify those assets and then have them sent to a foreign bank...America, how do you like America?"
"What does it matter?" she sighed. "I'll never go there."
Todd smiled wickedly and leaned up to whisper in her ear. "Don't be so sure."
She looked at him quizzically. "Now, Mr. Todd...you haven't got anything up your sleeve, have you?"
"Perhaps New York. Can you have your lawyer write a letter?"
"Of course, but-"
"Sh. Later. I don't need you getting overwrought," Todd glanced up at the small barred window in the door to make sure no one was eavesdropping. "Better to rest now, we'll discuss it later tonight."