Page 14 of When You Rescued Me

Swallowing his pride, Samuel faced his tenacious interrogator. “My injury was a convenient excuse for my removal from all service in the Royal Navy. The gentleman who is to take Captain Lund’s place was formally the first lieutenant. We served together for three years but approached our responsibilities very differently. I believe it fair to say that Mr. Westbrook exaggerated my handicap in his report to the Admiralty because he wished to be rid of my unwillingness to stand aside or remain silent when I felt that his actions negatively impacted the welfare of the crew.”

“An example, if you please, Mr. Ross?” It was the first time Sir John had spoken since the runners had begun their questioning, and though Samuel was reluctant to speak of specifics, the tone of Sir John’s voice indicated that Samuel’s response was important.

“The first lieutenant held that flogging crewmembers was the most efficacious form of discipline,” he said.

“And your thoughts?” Sir John pressed.

Samuel maintained a placid expression even as his stomach roiled. He had lost count of how many times he had snatched the whip from Westbrook’s hand to prevent him from beating the youngest boys unconscious. “I saw no benefit in having boys rendered unable to work because of pain and injury inflicted by their own officers,” he said.

“A sentiment your captain shared, I assume.”

“Yes, m’ lord.”

Though he’d been furious at Samuel’s interference, Westbrook had known that Samuel’s stance was an echo of Captain Lund’s, and as such, the lieutenant had been powerless to retaliate. It was hardly surprising, therefore, that he’d seized his opportunity for revenge when it had been offered him.

“I applaud your moral fiber,” Sir John said, and though his eyes were unfocused, they somehow seemed to look into Samuel’s very soul. “And I must say, I am most gratified to learn that my decision to offer that miserable young pickpocket a chance to change has made a difference in more lives than one.”

“I would like to think so, m’ lord,” Samuel said.

The magistrate felt for the plate on the table before him. The half-eaten meat pie was likely cold by now. He pushed the dish aside and set his arms on the table.

“Well then, Mr. Ross, having determined that much, may I ask why you returned to the Brown Bear, seemingly to seek me out?”

Samuel had not imagined making his plea for a job before two of Sir John’s men. Then again, he would rather move ahead with them listening in than dwell any longer on Westbrook’s high-handed methods of leadership. He raised his chin slightly. “With my service in the Royal Navy at an end, I wish to become a Bow Street runner.”

Even as the parlor’s noise continued around them, silence fell over the table. For once, Jealous and Clarke held their tongues.

Sir John appeared thoughtful. “Why?” he asked.

“By sending me to the Marine Society, you granted me the opportunity to serve my country abroad,” Samuel said. “I should like to offer a similar service to the people of London.”

The magistrate waved away Samuel’s response as though it were a bothersome fly. “Yes, yes. Lovely platitudes. Now tell me the real reason why.”

Jealous grinned, and warmth crept up Samuel’s neck. Blast it all! He should have known the magistrate would not make this easy on him, but did he have to be so mulish?

“Because I need work,” he said, choosing honesty. “And I believe I would make an excellent runner.”

Looking thoughtful, Sir John tapped a finger against the table. “Tell me, Mr. Ross, do you know anything about Mr. Jealous and Mr. Clarke?”

“I assume they are your men, but I have not heard their names before.”

“That is because you have been gone from London,” Sir John said. “Indeed, should I have needed it, your ignorance regarding their identity would have acted as further proof that you’ve had no interaction with your former associates. I can guarantee that every one of London’s felons is familiar with these men. Unfortunately for them, when Jealous sees a face, he remembers it. Forever. He applies that singular ability to sending countless criminals to the Old Bailey. Clarke, here, is a coining expert. If there is any hint that a person has taken up forgery, he will uncover it. They are both invaluable Bow Street principal officers. Now, tell me what unique qualities you can claim that might assist us in our work.”

Taking note of the magistrate’s choice of title for his men, Samuel attempted to gather his thoughts. He’d had weeks to ponder this very question. It had circled his head over and over again as he’d battled the despondency that had threatened to overtake him when it had become clear that he was to be stripped of the only occupation he’d ever known beyond pickpocketing. But it was that very thought that had brought him to this point. His ability to work hard and put in long hours went without saying. There was no place aboard a Royal Navy vessel for laziness. But how many jobs would allow a man to turn personal experience in the criminal world into an honorable occupation?

“I am nimble and fleet of foot,” he said. “I have yet to meet a sailor who can climb the rigging faster or a man who can beat me in a footrace. But most importantly, I have a working knowledge of the pickpocketing community that could be used to assist your office in apprehending felons.”

“That is possible,” Sir John said. “But as Jealous and Clarke will attest, the streets of London have changed a great deal over the last decade. And we have had to adapt. Although we remain vigilant in our efforts to keep our streets free of pickpockets and highwaymen, a greater portion of our time now falls to solving burglaries and larger thefts.”

“Pickpockets are thieves who have yet to find a more valuable target,” Samuel said. “Their mentality is much the same, as is their network of associates.”

“And you believe you can tap into that network, even after all these years?” Jealous asked.

It seemed that a handful of minutes was the longest he could go without interrupting.

“Yes,” Samuel said. “If the pawnbrokers who chose to ignore the law twelve years ago are still in London, I will know them. If the bawdy and flash houses that ran additional, more lucrative side businesses remain open, I can find them. If any of my former associates are stealing still, I will recognize them.”

“They are no longer young boys,” Sir John warned.