Warren thought he had spotted their quarry several times since they started the covert operations, but he lost her in the crowds. The market was its usual lively self today with buyers and sellers jostling over clothing, ware, and food. The grog sellers seemed to fare the best and no surprise. Warren enjoyed strolling through the carts and crates, watching and chatting to some peddlers to pass the time. He seemed to blend in rather well considering he was a copper on the beat. Folks seemed comforted by the easily recognized man in navy blue, blonde shock of hair beneath his hat and sporting a temporary moustache; Jack teased him about the peach fuzz under it, but he never could grow much facial hair. Stopping to inspect one of the fish mongers booths, he felt the air become electrified. The last time he experienced that sensation was the first time he saw Jack and the women. His mind automatically went into high alert and keeping up his appearance of disinterest and lack of attention to goings on, he purposefully turned slowly in a 180 to catch as much of the view as possible. Through the sea of bodies and bobbing heads there was a familiar silhouette, a woman's exquisite figure even in the drab and colorless outfit dawning it currently. To clench the confirmation, delicate blonde tendrils peeked from under the bonnet of the wearer. Fearing his penetrating gaze would alert her, he trained his eyes to the man standing to her left, still able to see her in his peripheral vision. The woman made her purchase and moved on. With his target squarely in his sites now, Warren becomes the stealthy hunter and tracks her down the street. Unlike before, he never looses site of her; strange, since before she was able to escape detection, maybe his skills were improving. Still not 100% certain, Warren continues the pursuit. Eventually, she leaves the market and heads to where he expects to be what he and Jack were looking for; where they are and probably have been living, at least recently. Letting her get ahead of him a bit, he carefully pursues her. Realizing this could be a trap, he has to watch all around, in case the madman is going to jump him. The trip was uneventful and when she stopped in front of a door, he ducted into a large doorway alcove a few hundred yards away. He could hear the door rattle as she shook the knob. There seemed to be some distress and he had the urge to come to her aide, but restrained himself. The next sounds he heard were the panicked voice calling out a name, Stella, Stella, please open the door...its OK, its Grace! The door slowly opened a crack, just enough for the frantic woman outside to escape into the room it concealed. The door shut with a bang...silence. Warren stood in the alcove for nearly half an hour. No activity in or around the door that had played a part in a most informative and revealing scene. Quietly, Warren crept out of his hiding place and back to the market to find Jack...they have finally found Grace and Stella!
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| © Mary Evans Picture Library, used with permission. |
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