Next in Line (William Warwick, #5)(23)

The look on Milner’s face rather suggested he wasn’t in the habit of being addressed in this manner by a junior officer. ‘Try to remember, Warwick, they still report to me and not you.’ He stared long and hard at William, before adding, ‘That is of course, Chief Inspector, unless it’s my job you’re after.’

‘I have no interest in your job, Superintendent. Only doing mine.’

‘Frankly, Warwick,’ he said, ‘I’m at a loss to work out what your job is.’

‘I’ve been asked by the Commissioner to make a comprehensive report on the workings of this unit, to see if any improvements can be made.’ William took an envelope from his inside pocket and handed it across to the Superintendent.

‘I’m confident, Chief Inspector,’ said Milner after he’d read the enclosed instructions, ‘that you’ll find everything in this outfit is running smoothly and above board.’ William wondered why he’d unnecessarily added the words ‘above board’. Always wait for a sentence the suspect will later regret, the Hawk had taught him. ‘Be assured that if I can assist you in any way, I’ll be only too happy to do so,’ continued Milner. ‘But frankly, I think you’re wasting your time.’

‘Let’s hope you’re right, sir,’ said William. ‘However, would it be possible for DC Pankhurst and me to have an office that doesn’t suggest we’re the janitors?’

‘I don’t have any spare rooms at the moment.’

‘Perhaps one of your Constables could—’

‘And perhaps they couldn’t,’ snapped Milner.

‘I’ll also need a secretary,’ came back William, ‘who can spell as well as type, before we begin to interview all sixty-three members of your staff at Buckingham Gate, as well as those based at Windsor.’

‘Is that really necessary?’ asked Milner, his voice softening. ‘After all, my lads have demanding schedules, and I’m sure I don’t have to remind you that the Royal Family don’t exactly keep office hours.’

‘I’ll try not to interfere with their daily duties,’ William assured him, ‘but if I’m to complete a meaningful report for the Commissioner—’

‘I’ll want to see that report before you hand it in,’ interrupted Milner.

‘Of course, sir. I’ll keep you informed of my progress at all times, and I feel sure your staff will do the same.’

‘Anything else, Warwick, before I’m allowed to get on with my job?’ asked the Superintendent curtly.

‘Yes, sir. Two members of my team, DS Adaja and DS Roycroft, will be based at Windsor Castle during our inquiry. Can I hope they received a warmer welcome this morning than I did?’

‘If you’d let us know when you were coming, Chief Inspector, I would have been here to welcome you myself,’ said Milner, not attempting to hide his irritation.

‘That would have rather defeated the purpose, sir,’ said William, not flinching.

‘And what might that purpose be?’

‘Simply to prove that your section is, to quote the Commissioner’s instructions, fit for purpose.’

‘I’m confident you’ll find that is the case. However, you need to understand right from the start that Royalty Protection Command is a unique outfit, to which the normal rules don’t apply. Try not to forget, Warwick, we are only answerable to the Royal Family, no one else.’

‘We are all servants of the Crown, Superintendent. However, I’m also answerable to Commander Hawksby, who in turn will be reporting to the Commissioner.’

The look on the Superintendent’s face suggested he was well aware of the Hawk’s reputation.

‘I feel sure we’ll be able to rub along together,’ said Milner, the bully suddenly replaced by the sycophant. ‘William, isn’t it?’

‘Chief Inspector Warwick, sir.’

‘You have to try and understand, Warwick, the challenges I have to face on a daily basis.’

‘I’ll do my best to ensure that everyone is given the chance to explain those challenges in great detail, sir.’

‘If that’s your attitude, Warwick, you might do well to remember that my boss outranks Commander Hawksby,’ said Milner, barely able to keep his temper.

‘Not to mention the Commissioner, sir,’ said William. ‘I’ll be sure to let my boss know your thoughts on the subject.’

‘I think it’s time for you to leave, Warwick.’ Milner picked up the phone on his desk. ‘I’m about to have a word with your commander, so don’t bother to settle in. I have a feeling you’ll be heading back to Scotland Yard later today. Get me Commander Hawksby at the Yard,’ he barked down the phone while waving a dismissive hand in William’s direction.

‘Thank you, sir,’ said William, before leaving the room and closing the door quietly behind him. He returned to the room in the basement to find that Rebecca had somehow managed to commandeer several boxes of paper, a typewriter and even a filing cabinet.

‘How did it go?’ she asked.

‘It could have been worse,’ said William, after relaying their conversation, ‘but I can’t imagine how.’

‘Does that mean we’ll be back at the Yard in time for lunch?’