Keith thought quickly, and taking a deep breath he broke into a run, coming up fast behind Barrymore's lackey, barging into him and clumsily slipping a hand into his pocket as if 'dipping' him.
"Oi! You little shit! Stop that kid, he just picked my pocket!" The lackey shouted making a grab for the young man and missing.
Greg heard the shout and turned, seeing the homeless kid running towards him followed fairly closely by a familiar looking man. He reached out and grabbed the kids arm, realising immediately that the boy's struggles were more for show than anything, and he held him quite easily until the victim drew near.
"Is this the lad, Sir?" Lestrade flashed his warrant card.
"That's him, picked my pocket." The aggrieved lackey poked a finger close to Keith's face.
"I didn't, I just knocked into him."
"You lying little…."
Greg held up a hand.
"What has he taken?"
The lackey stopped trying to get hold of Keith and patted down his pockets.
"Um….nothing. I um, well he…"
"Not to worry sir, easy mistake to make." Greg soothed. "Leave the boy with me I'll talk some sense into him."
They stood together, watching the lackey go back the way he had come.
"John sent me Mr Lestrade," Keith said quietly. "Told me to watch your back."