3

A rattle of keys.

Someone was coming down to the cells. Flight's heart leapt, the blood pounding in his veins and he forced himself to appear steady.

It was the booking Sergeant, Artherton. The man had always been civil to Flight, almost friendly as time went on, and the disappointed look the man wore since hearing Flight's first admission of his guilt was, in some ways, worse than the outright threats, insults and bile from some of the other men.

"Soon enough, everyone will be away to the fight."

It took a moment for Flight to understand what Artherton was saying; of course, the Championship Final between police departments. So they weren't planning to push Flight into the boxing ring in place of Wainwright. That was something.

"The hope is that Shine won't be walking out of that boxing ring. Might be best for you if he didn't."

Flight said nothing. He knew how unlikely it was anyone would defeat Shine, let alone kill him.

"Wouldn't make everything go away, mind. But Inspector Reid..."

The other man jangled the keys in his hand.

"He has your back, lad. Despite what you might think."

Flight looked up in disbelief.

"And if you're thinking you don't deserve that, then you're right, you don't."

Artherton was as stern as a schoolteacher, or one of the workhouse disciplinarians.

"He's a rare man, is Mr Reid. There's not many'd look to forgive what you did to him."

"I know that."

Flight's voice sounded small to his ears, as if coming from far away. Artherton gave him a pitying look.

"I'd never've thought it of you, lad. But then that Inspector Shine... He had you right where he wanted you, didn't he?"

Flight nodded, bitter shame flooding through him.

"I'm not saying it makes it right. But Inspector Reid and I did discuss how it would be if we were to come back from the fight and find you not to be here anymore."

He raised the keys once more. Flight stared at them, then back up at Artherton, scarcely able to believe what was being offered.

But he shook his head.

"I couldn't..."

"I can't say what'll happen to you if you were to remain."

"Shine'll kill me."

"Then I'd find myself a long way from Whitechapel or Limehouse, if I was you."

Flight shook his head again, fear rising up again, threatening to take over.

"He'll find me. No matter where I go. He has eyes and ears everywhere, I can't-"

Artherton sighed.

"I thought as much."

"No matter what my punishment here will be - and I would deserve it, whatever is decided."

Flight swallowed hard, battling to keep himself under control.

"I would choose that over facing Inspector Shine again."

Artherton looked him over.

"Are you sure, son?"

Flight nodded, resolute.

Artherton pocketed the keys once more.

"I'll tell Inspector Reid. But to repeat myself, I can't say what'll happen to you if you remain here."

Flight leaned back against the wall, turning his head away from the other man to stare at the bricks opposite him.

"I'll face whatever comes my way, sir."

The hours that followed seemed like days. Knowing what must be happening, yet not knowing was torture. Would Shine kill Wainwright? There was a good chance he would, whether out of his own perverse sadism or as another way to get at Reid; it wouldn't be enough to just defeat the H division champion, Shine would have to destroy him, and Reid would feel personal responsibility for the man's death, the way he did about Flight's predecessor, Hobbs, the man they wouldn't talk about.

Eventually, Flight heard the station begin to fill up again, as those on duty came back from the fight. But it was another agonising hour or so before anyone came down to see him, and Flight was extremely surprised that it was Reid himself, and that he was alone.

Nervous, Flight got to his feet, facing his erstwhile boss.

"Inspector."

"Still here, then?"

Reid seemed distracted, but not as Flight had expected him to be. Wainwright must have survived.

"Yes, sir."

Reid stared down at him, and Flight again felt like a child before a parent - not his own parents, but the idea of one, someone who would teach and instruct, but also punish. He forced himself not to look away, facing the disapproval, disappointment and whatever else would come his way.

"Inspector Shine is dead."

Flight was utterly astonished. Shock robbed him of the ability to speak and he felt his legs start to shake. He put a hand to the wall to steady himself, and his surprise must have been clear to Reid.

"I convinced Sergeant Drake to take Wainwright's place in the ring."

Flight nodded. That was the only way it could have taken place. But much as it had been a necessity, that could not be sitting well with Drake or Reid.

"You understand that this is not how I wanted this situation resolved?" Reid asked, his voice professional and controlled, giving nothing away.

Flight nodded again, fighting to keep his head up and not to hide away in shame.

Reid took hold of the bars in front of him, fingers curling tightly around the metal, his hidden anger rising up.

"But nonetheless, it is resolved. With Shine no longer in place to run things, his schemes will begin to fall apart, and this department will do its best to see an end to them all."

Flight nodded a third time. He still couldn't think of a thing to say.

"I will be working closely with Chief Inspector Abberline to find a man suitable to replace Shine, to ensure that Limehouse is brought under control."

Reid leaned in, toward the cell bars.

"All the things he did... I need to know everything you know. Even if you were not involved. Everything."

Flight swallowed, trying to find his voice.

"Yes, sir."

"I mean it, Flight. I will not allow the reputation of the Metropolitan Police to be tarnished by this man's actions any more than I would allow it to be harmed by yours."

Flight was forced to drop his gaze, the shame burning within him becoming overwhelming.

"Of course, sir."

An awkward silence filled the room.

There were so many things Flight wanted to ask, but couldn't bring himself to.

Reid took a step back, folding his arms, some of his intensity fading.

"Chief Inspector Abberline wants you punished," Reid said, finally and Flight felt a little hiccup of fear within.

"Yes sir." His voice was little more than a whisper, and he hated that, hated that weakness.

"That's all you have to say?"

Anger was seeping into Reid's voice again, and Flight wondered what had happened at the fight. Reid was more than just disappointed he couldn't see Shine hang for his crimes; something else was in play here. But that wasn't Flight's business, unless Reid made it so.

"You know my feelings, sir. I am ashamed of what I've done, and know I deserve punishment."

"Even if it is to be whipped?"

Reid was pushing him, Flight knew that. He had to summon his courage now, and meet the man's eyes.

"Even if it is to be hanged, sir."

That visibly surprised Reid.

"What would that achieve?"

Reid stepped back up to the bars, and Flight couldn't quite read his expression.

"I know what I've done. What happens now is down to you, sir."

"Artherton offered you the chance to leave."

"I know that."

"And yet you stayed, even if it meant the rope for you."

"Yes sir."

Flight felt stronger now. He was standing by his convictions. If only he could have done that years ago.

Reid continued to stare at him.

"That's something, I suppose."

Another long silence.

"You cannot remain within this department," Reid said.

"You were right, the work you did here was good, but that doesn't balance out everything else. I thought about transferring you to another division, but that won't be enough. This will follow you."

Flight did not reply. Already, this was better than he'd dared hope.

"Do you wish to remain a policeman?"

"Yes."

Flight's answer came a little too quickly; he couldn't hold it back.

"I do, sir. It's all I wish to be."

Reid thought this over.

"Perhaps another city would be acceptable. Have you ever considered returning to Ireland?"

Flight shook his head, vehement.

"No, I couldn't... that part of my past... I do not want to be reminded of that."

Reid was thoughtful, yet again seemed distracted.

"This is not something to be resolved immediately. I have... other matters to attend to."

Both men regained something of their usual composure.

"Of course, sir."

For a very brief moment, Reid seemed to smile.

"Take heart, Flight. I shan't leave you here forever."

And then he left, leaving Flight feeling far better than he had for days.