Next in Line (William Warwick, #5)(15)

‘Why would that prove a problem, ma’am,’ said William, ‘while you’re safely ensconced in here? No one can get past the barrier unless you have given your express permission they can do so, as we’ve just experienced.’

‘I can assure you, William, there are at least half a dozen photographers parked outside the front gate twenty-four/seven and they don’t even take a break for lunch. Two in particular don’t seem to appreciate that I have a private life and would like it to remain private whenever possible.’

‘Understood, ma’am,’ said Ross. ‘You can be assured the only other woman in my life is two years old, and I won’t be sharing your secrets with her.’

‘I can’t wait to meet her,’ said Diana.

‘We won’t keep you any longer, ma’am,’ said William, when the clock on the mantelpiece struck the half hour, ‘remembering the important dinner you’re attending this evening.’ Something else the protocol officer had briefed him on.

‘A state banquet in honour of the King of Saudi Arabia,’ said Diana. ‘I understand that the King speaks little English, while Her Majesty speaks no Arabic. So that should make for a jolly occasion. I, on the other hand, will be sitting next to the Saudi Arabian ambassador, who I’m told has four wives. So he won’t be short of small talk.’

They both laughed dutifully.

‘I do hope you will consider joining my team, Inspector,’ she said, turning back to Ross. ‘We have a lot more fun than the rest of the Royal Family’ – she paused – ‘put together.’

Ross managed a smile as the butler reappeared.

‘Your next appointment has arrived, ma’am.’

‘No, they haven’t,’ said Diana. Turning to William, she admitted, ‘That’s just a coded message to get rid of you two, whereas I’d much rather have tea with you than dinner with the King of Saudi Arabia. However …’

William immediately stood up. ‘I think the time has come for us to leave, ma’am. Thank you so much for seeing us.’

‘I do hope I’ll be seeing you again, Inspector,’ said Diana as she accompanied them both down the wide staircase to the hall. William was pleased to see Ross chatting to the Princess while he hung back to take a closer look at several paintings he might never have the opportunity of seeing again, including a seascape by the other Henry Moore. Beth would be certain to question him when he got home about which artists the Princess favoured. It would be an interesting challenge to see how many of them he could remember without being able to make a note.

As they walked back into the entrance hall, he paused to admire a Turner, a Millais and a Burne-Jones, only wishing he had longer to appreciate them. The Princess accompanied them out to the car, where she once again surprised William by having a long chat with Danny before they departed. She didn’t go back inside until the car was out of sight.

William waited until they’d turned into Kensington High Street before saying, ‘Well, do you want the job, chatterbox?’

‘Of course I do,’ said Ross, without hesitation. ‘But I have a problem.’

? ? ?

‘Will there be anything else, Mr Booth Watson?’ asked his secretary as she closed her dictation pad.

Booth Watson sat back and considered the question of how to deal with the dual problems of Miles Faulkner and his ex-wife Christina. Although he’d seen both of them quite recently, he still wasn’t sure if Miles had accepted his explanation of what had taken place in Spain, while Christina had certainly worked out what he’d been up to. He was aware she wouldn’t hesitate to seek advice from Sir Julian if it were in her own best interests. But he also knew the ideal person to keep an eye on both of them, while only reporting back to him: a man who would have contacts in Belmarsh, both behind bars and on the landings, while at the same time keeping a close eye on Christina Faulkner, so he always knew who she was seeing, and what she was up to. Although Booth Watson detested the former Superintendent who’d left the Met under a cloud, he agreed with Lyndon Johnson who, after resigning himself to the difficulty of firing J. Edgar Hoover, had once commented, ‘It’s probably better to have him inside the tent pissing out, than outside pissing in.’

‘Yes, Miss Plumstead,’ he eventually managed. ‘I want you to arrange an urgent meeting with ex-superintendent Lamont.’

‘Of course, sir. But I should point out that your diary is back-to-back at the moment. You have two court appearances later in the week and—’

‘In the next twenty-four hours,’ Booth Watson said, interrupting her.





CHAPTER 7





WILLIAM QUICKLY TURNED THE KEY in the lock, hoping he was back in time to read a bedtime story to the children. He was delighted to hear cheerful young voices coming from the front room. He hung up his overcoat on the hallstand and extracted two boxes from the inside pockets before heading towards the boisterous noise.

No sooner had William opened the door than Artemisia charged across and threw her arms around his legs.

‘Is it true,’ she asked even before he could speak, ‘that you had tea with Princess Di?’

‘The Princess of Wales,’ said Beth, correcting her.

‘The answer is yes,’ said William, ‘and she said to say hi, and asked me to give you a present.’