"Fagin tried to avoid politics," Nancy tries to explain. "He had his place in Lewisham, and will be damned before he gives it up. Not that he isn't already as damned as can be." She finishes this statement with a side-long glance and another drink of wine. He's one of the reasons she drinks, if Arthur's powers of deduction were off.

"But when Lewisham was threatened, he sent the boys out to do his dirty work, just as always." Nancy shakes her head and goes for Arthur's bottle of wine, to uncork it.

"At least. They don't have anything to gain, by betraying us, at any rate. Not that I can see." The bottle is uncorked in near-record time and she holds it out to him. "Let me know when you're ready."