"We'll keep guard." His sneer was blown by his flinch as I hoisted the bat to rest it on my shoulder.

I raised an eyebrow. "Run along, then."

He fled back into the office, issuing instructions to his friends.

Satisfied that my building would be protected until these riots ran out of steam, I headed upstairs to retrieve Mrs. Hudson. With the fractured bat stowed next to my corner safe, I grabbed my leather jacket with a soft whistle.

The puppy knew the ...