Unsurprisingly, the shots and Evelyn’s shrieks had attracted the attention of those working on the wharf. Curious seamen and stevedores started to cluster about the wharf end of the alley, peering into the gloom.
Distantly, Toby heard orders barked, then the clatter of feet rushing down a gangplank.
Duncan and his men were on the way.
Heinrik seemed to be struggling to absorb the fact that he was still alive. After glancing around in a stunned fashion, he turned to Toby. “Thank you, my friend.”
Toby merely arched his brows.
Heinrik looked at Eva, then back at Toby and sighed. “You’ve won this round. As long as the Prussians don’t get their dispatches back…” He cocked a brow at Toby. “Well, there are other ways to learn of what such documents might contain, aren’t there?”
Toby’s lips twitched, and he nodded. “Glad you see the outcome as I do.”
“You’ll ask Winchelsea?”
“I will. He might even agree.”
Eva was frowning at her pistol. Tucking it back into her muff, she said, “I really must get one of those revolvers.”
Then she turned to Evelyn, now wrapped close in Diana’s arms, and smiled. “Thank you, ma petite. I wouldn’t have managed to fire in time if you hadn’t thrown your toy and distracted him. You are a little heroine, I think.”
“He was abad man,” Evelyn reiterated, and no one argued.
Eva’s gaze shifted to her feet; Rupert the Bear had bounced off Koch and had come to rest there. “Here—let me.” Eva crouched and picked up Rupert the Bear.
Toby blanked his expression, but saw Diana’s eyes widen as Eva’s gloved fingers closed around the bear’s middle.
Slowly, Eva straightened, her gaze locked on the stuffed bear.
In that instant, Toby—and he was certain Diana, too—knew that Eva had realized what she held in her hands.
But then Eva smiled and turned to Evelyn and handed her the bear with a gentle, “There you are, my sweet.”
Toby and Diana exchanged a quietly amazed glance and breathed again.
Oblivious of the true import of what his junior partner had just done, Heinrik shook his head. “You always have the damnedest luck.” He stooped to check Jager and Koch for signs of life.
Toby picked up his discarded bags and paused by Heinrik’s side as the Austrian agent straightened.
“Both are entirely dead.” Heinrik met Toby’s eyes. “You and Eva have excellent aim.”
Toby looked at Eva, currently exchanging who-knew-what comments with Diana, then sent his gaze on to the troop of armed sailors massing on the wharf at the end of the alley.
“In the interests of everyone,” Toby said, “might I suggest that you and Eva vanish?” He nodded toward the sailors, directing Heinrik’s gaze that way. “They’re ours. At this late stage in the game, I’m sure that no one will want to involve the French authorities, so I’m fairly certain these bodies will vanish, too.”
“And that,” Heinrik said, “will be a very good thing.” He toed Jager’s body. “This one has had me in his sights for the past few years.” Staring at Jager, Heinrik quietly admitted, “Now I know what it’s like to look death in the face.”
His gaze on the sailors, who, thankfully, were hanging back, Toby freed a hand and clapped Heinrik on the shoulder. “Well, don’t let it get you down. Courtesy of me, you’re still alive to torment me…” His gaze drifting to Diana and the children, he tipped his head. “Although perhaps I should mention that this mission is slated to be my last.”
That jerked Heinrik from his morbid reflections. He stared at Toby. “Really?” Then he followed Toby’s now-smiling gaze to the others. “Ah.” Heinrik grinned. “I take it,mon ami, that as they say, you will have other demands on your time.”
Toby felt his lips curve in a slow, expectant grin. “I fervently hope so.”
“Well, in that, I wish you luck, my friend.” Heinrik thrust out his hand, and Toby shook it.
Heinrik joined Eva, and after taking their leave of Diana, with a final wave to the children, the pair melted into the shadows, moving up the alley and away.
Toby signaled to the sailors, and they rapidly strode up.
