Billy holds his gaze and shakes his head very gently. ‘I don’t think so, inspector. You’re fishing, and you’re not catching anything but tin cans. You’ve got no evidence – nothing that would stand up in court. My lawyer would make light work of you very quickly.’ His eyes harden, even as he smiles. ‘You’re disturbing my evening. Why don’t you go somewhere else, before I decide to disturb yours?’

‘Is that a threat?’

‘Certainly not. When I threaten you, you’ll know about it. Call it a friendly suggestion.’

The inspector stands, resolute, staring at Billy for what seems like a long time, his frown deepening and his face etched with revulsion, as though the scent from the nearby tanneries has reached his nostrils. ‘We’ll see.’ He turns to the door and walks out, nodding to Annie and Clara on the way. The two coppers stride after him, trying to maintain their confident swagger as they pass the Richmonds and Frederick Moss.

Moss, with Ronald and Albert, makes his way over to Charlie to discuss yesterday’s races at Kempton, aware that the coppers might still be outside. Annie takes the seat next to Maggs.

‘Well done,’ she nods to Ruby, voice low and rasping. ‘You did well, with Billy and with the coppers.’

Ruby feels a flush of pride. Belonging, even. This is what they all strive for: a word of congratulation from the Queen of the Thieves. She soaks up the acclamation. Billy is looking over, too, his face beaming. She’s stood her ground with MacKenzie for the first time. She is strong.

The sense of elation lasts only for a moment.

‘I’ve been over to Solly’s,’ Annie says, tapping her fingertips gently on the table, as if beating to music no one else can hear, making her rings jangle. She’ll reach for a cigarette any minute. She’s edgy. ‘Told me what you and Billy brought in. Sounds like a good amount. He’ll sell it on over the next few weeks, in dribs and drabs; it won’t be noticed.’

Maggs grins at Ruby. ‘Good news,’ she says. ‘The shares’ll be appreciated by the girls when Solly pays out.’

‘They will,’ says Annie. ‘We’ll all enjoy the proceeds. Which is why’ – she gives Ruby a hard stare – ‘I’d like to know what happened to the brooch.’

‘What brooch?’ Ruby will brazen it out.

Annie shakes her head gently. The tapping fingers lie still. ‘Solly said there was a diamond brooch, shaped like a crescent moon. He said it was worth a small fortune; he was going to pick out the stones and send them to Amsterdam and put glass and paste in their place. That way, he can sell the knock-off in his shop and get a good deal on the real diamonds. Except, he can no longer find it.’