Oxley arrived at the courthouse early so that he could rehearse the escape. The police would bring Irene through the side door, then go through an anteroom and into a corridor that led to the courtroom. By going down the corridor in the opposite direction, it was possible to reach the rear exit. Oxley made the short journey a few times to see how long it would take them. Once in the street, they could run to a waiting cab and be driven away at speed. It was now only a question of waiting. The newspaper had talked of proceedings beginning at a specific time. Fifteen minutes beforehand, Oxley was hiding in the lavatory, watching the yard through the window he’d left slightly ajar.
He heard the clatter of hooves and the rumble of wheels. The black police van with its barred windows rolled into the yard. It came to a halt and the driver got down in order to unlock the door at the rear. A second policeman emerged with Irene handcuffed to his wrist. He helped her down the step. Oxley was upset to see how pale and haggard she was. He watched all three of them move to the side door. Leaving his hiding place, Oxley rushed to the anteroom and stood behind the door with his gun in his hand. As soon as the newcomers entered, he slammed the door shut behind them and thrust the barrel against Leeming’s temple.
‘Release her at once!’ he demanded.
‘Jerry!’ she screamed in surprise.
‘Do as I say,’ he shouted, moving the gun to point at Colbeck. ‘Stand where you are.’ He turned and punched Leeming. ‘Hurry up!’
‘Miss Adnam doesn’t wish to go with you,’ said Colbeck, calmly.
‘Of course she does!’
‘Why not ask her?’
Oxley swung round to her. ‘What’s he talking about, Irene?’
Irene shrank from him. ‘Stay away from me, Jerry.’
‘Don’t talk nonsense. I’ve come to rescue you.’
‘I know what you did to that woman you strangled.’
He gaped at her. ‘Why on earth bring that up now?’
‘Miss Adnam finally sees you in your true colours,’ said Colbeck. ‘I was able to tell her exactly what sort of a man you really were. Yes,’ he went on as realisation slowly showed in Oxley’s eyes, ‘my name is Robert Colbeck and I was a good friend of Helen Millington. You’ll be charged with her murder as well as with that of your other victims.’
Oxley was bewildered. Expecting to rescue Irene from two New York policemen, he was instead confronted with the very man from whom he’d fled to America. It was only a momentary confusion but it was enough for Colbeck. Whipping out a truncheon from beneath his coat, he smashed it against the wrist holding the gun, forcing Oxley to drop it to the ground. Leeming tried to grab him with his free hand but Oxley reacted swiftly to push him hard against Colbeck. In the seconds that Colbeck was impeded, Oxley darted from the room and sped down the corridor towards the rear exit. As he came hurtling out into the street, he intended to race to the cab rank but the huge and intimidating figure of Captain Riley was blocking his way. Other uniformed policemen suddenly materialised out of nowhere.
Dashing back into the courthouse, Oxley rushed up a flight of stairs with no idea where they might lead. Colbeck pounded after him, discarding his hat on the way. Oxley reached a landing and ran along it until he found a second set of stairs. Conscious that Colbeck was gaining on him, he turned to fight him off but it was a mistake. As Oxley raised his fists to beat him away, Colbeck dived for the man’s legs and brought him crashing to the floor. They grappled, rolled over and struggled hard to gain the advantage.
Oxley had a power born of desperation, punching, kicking out and biting for all he was worth. He managed to clamber on top of Colbeck and got both hands to the inspector’s neck, applying pressure with his thumbs. Colbeck had a vision of Helen Millington in the same position, having the life choked out of her. Unlike her, however, he was no weak and defenceless young woman with wrists bound together by wire. He could fight back. Bucking and twisting madly, Colbeck put all his energy into a vicious right hook that caught Oxley on the ear and sent him sprawling sideways in a daze. Colbeck gave him no time to recover. Punching him relentlessly with both fists, he only stopped when Oxley was unconscious. As he panted away and felt blood trickle down his face, Colbeck looked at the man he’d been hunting for so long. Turning Oxley over, he pulled out the handcuffs attached to his belt and secured the prisoner’s wrists behind his back.
It was all over. Helen Millington’s killer had finally been caught.
Extradition procedures took less than a day to complete. Because Irene refused to stand beside Oxley in the courthouse, their cases had to be dealt with separately. Colbeck was very grateful for the help given by Captain Riley and his men. Having been drafted into the New York police for a morning, Leeming decided that he preferred life in plain clothes as a Scotland Yard detective. With their prisoners in handcuffs, they set sail for home on the Etna, another propeller-driven steamship. On their way, they promised to give Ireland a friendly wave on Matt Riley’s behalf. Though the return voyage took longer, it seemed to be quicker because their mission had been accomplished. They reached Liverpool in the pouring rain but nothing could dampen their spirits. On the train journey to London, the detectives travelled in separate compartments. Leeming looked after Irene Adnam while Colbeck stood guard over Jeremy Oxley. Their prisoners were duly delivered into police custody.
‘Congratulations!’ said Tallis, shaking their hands in turn. ‘This has been a signal triumph for all of us.’
‘I don’t remember that you came to New York with us, sir,’ said Leeming, annoyed that the superintendent was claiming some glory.
‘I was there in spirit, Sergeant. I also authorised the trip.’
‘It was the commissioner who did that.’
‘Why quibble over details?’ asked Colbeck, stamping out the row before it took flight. ‘The truth of it is that we all stand to gain from this escapade. First and foremost, two killers will now be condemned to death for their crimes and their victims have been avenged. Secondly, we’ve gained unanimous praise in the press.’ He smiled at Tallis. ‘I was pleased to see that your contribution was recognised, sir. You’ve earned their respect at last.’
‘I’m not so foolish as to think that,’ said Tallis, grimly. ‘They’ll praise me one day and stone me the next. However, that’s in the nature of journalism and I have to endure it with my usual stoicism.’ Sitting behind his desk, he eyed his cigar box as if about to attend a reunion with an old friend. He rubbed his hands together. ‘Now, then,’ he ordered, ‘sit down, the pair of you. I want to hear the full details.’
As Leeming groaned inwardly, Colbeck came to his assistance.
‘There’s no need for the two of us to do that, Superintendent,’ said Colbeck. ‘I’m in possession of all the facts. Victor has been away from his wife and family for a long time. On grounds of compassion, I think he should be allowed to go home to them now.’
Leeming rallied. ‘Thank you, Inspector.’
‘Well,’ said Tallis, grudgingly, ‘as you’re aware, I don’t normally yield to any compassionate appeals but this is a special case. You’ve done sterling work, Sergeant. Because of that, we need detain you no longer. You may depart.’
‘Yes, sir,’ said Leeming, moving swiftly to the door before Tallis changed his mind. ‘Thank you very much.’
After shooting Colbeck a look of gratitude, he went out of the room. Sitting down, Colbeck composed his thoughts. There was much to tell but Tallis would only get an attenuated version of it. Like the sergeant, Colbeck was also anxious to get home as soon as he could.