DEPARTURESThe discussions went on through the night until dawn threatened to dispel the fog’s stranglehold on the city. Many cups of tea had been taken and no fewer tots from Lord Cuthbert’s whisky decanter. Like all such meetings, it ended with goodbyes.
“So, you leave today.”
“I must,” said Headlock.
“And you will not return until…”
“I will not return until I complete that which I have failed in once already,” said Headlock before Cuthbert could say more.
“And you Grace? You are well with all this?” asked Cuthbert.
Grace smiled the polite smile of a socialite, the smile of doing what one must to survive. The nodded head and gloved hand that fell upon the Metropolitan Commissioner’s arm said more.
“Then we shall not see each other until the end game plays out.”
“We shall not,” Hea
