Evening light caught the brass fittings of passing carriages, the gas lamps just beginning to glow along the main thoroughfare.

Then he saw you.

Tucked in the mouth of an alley, half-hidden in shadow. Clothes worn thin and patched. Dirt smudged across your face. You didn’t belong here any more than he did.

Your eyes were fixed on something ahead.

On Hosea.

Arthur opened his mouth to say something—

And you moved.

Quick as a snake. Slipping through the crowd, hand darting out, fingers closing around the gold pocket watch clipped to Hosea’s vest. The chain snapped.

You were already running before Hosea’s hand touched his empty pocket.