Next in Line (William Warwick, #5)(50)

‘I wonder what Faulkner would be willing to offer in exchange for a suspended sentence this time,’ said William.

‘Even if he were to offer us his entire collection, I can’t see the judge being swayed.’

‘Unless Beth was the judge,’ responded William.

‘Even Faulkner couldn’t fix that. But that wasn’t the reason I wanted to speak to you. I had a call from the Commissioner just before I left the Yard this evening. He told me he has an appointment to see the Prince of Wales on Monday morning at twelve o’clock, when he intends to fully brief him on Superintendent Milner’s extra-curricular activities.’

‘Milner spent this afternoon with the Prince of Wales, sir,’ said William, ‘while he was on a visit to the Royal Geographical Society. He’ll have had more than enough time to put his side of the story long before the Commissioner turns up.’

‘I fear a quiet resignation due to ill health may be the best we can hope for.’

‘The damn man should be hung, drawn and quartered,’ said William, ‘and his head left on a spike on Tower Bridge, while Reynolds is put in the stocks on Ludgate Hill and pelted with rotten tomatoes.’

‘It’s so refreshing, William, to find that, after all your years in the force, the heart of a choirboy still beats within your breast,’ said the Hawk as he glanced across the room to where Sir Julian Warwick was deep in conversation with Beth Warwick.

‘Were you very disappointed not to get the job as Director?’ Julian asked his daughter-in-law.

‘I was,’ admitted Beth. ‘And it didn’t help when Tim Knox told me the board voted seven to five in favour of Gerald Sloane. To make it even worse, the chairman told Tim that if it had been six all, he would have given his casting vote to me.’

‘What can you tell me about Sloane?’ asked Julian, glancing across at the museum’s new director.

‘He’s been director of the Manchester Municipal Gallery for the past seven years, and I’m told he looks upon the Fitzmolean as a stepping stone to greater things, whereas I wanted to build the museum’s reputation so that no one would ever consider it to be a stepping stone.’

‘Bide your time, young lady, would be my advice,’ said Julian. ‘You just might find yourself getting the job sooner than you think. But at the same time, keep your eyes wide open, because Sloane will look upon you as a rival. He’ll either befriend you, or try to undermine you. Possibly both.’

‘You think like a criminal, Julian,’ said Beth.

‘That’s what I’m paid to do,’ was his response.

‘I know I shouldn’t listen to gossip,’ whispered Beth, ‘but I have it on good authority that only half the staff turned up for his leaving party in Manchester.’

‘All the more reason for you to be cautious. It’s no secret that if the Fitzmolean staff had been able to vote, you’d have won by a country mile.’

Beth nodded. ‘I know this isn’t the appropriate occasion,’ she said, ‘but I need your advice on a private matter.’

‘Why don’t you all come down to Nettleford for lunch on Sunday? That should give us more than enough time to talk it through,’ said Julian as his wife joined them.

‘I’m surprised to see Mr Booth Watson here,’ said Lady Warwick.

‘Perhaps he’s an admirer of Frans Hals,’ suggested Beth, knowing only too well why he was there.

‘Mr Booth Watson isn’t an admirer of anyone,’ said Julian, ‘unless there’s a chance they could turn out to be a potential client. And Frans Hals certainly doesn’t fall into that category. Although he wouldn’t be the first dead client BW has represented.’

‘You’re such an old cynic, Julian,’ said his wife.

‘You don’t have much choice when you have to spend your professional life crossing swords with the Booth Watsons of this world,’ he replied. At that moment Artemisia let go of her mother’s hand and shot off across the room.

‘What’s the little minx up to?’ asked Julian.

‘Wants to say goodbye to her friend, would be my bet,’ said Beth as Artemisia grabbed Ross by the hand.

The last person the Princess said goodbye to, after admiring her coronet and giving her a kiss, was Artemisia, which didn’t please the new director.





CHAPTER 20





ROSS CLIMBED INTO THE FRONT of the Jaguar after the Princess had taken her seat in the back. He checked in his personal rear-view mirror, and saw that Victoria hadn’t joined them, so she must have gone home. Although Victoria would never have raised the subject in front of him, it was clear she didn’t approve of Diana’s other life.

Only one member of the paparazzi was waiting for them when they drove into Jermyn Street. He jumped out into the middle of the road the moment he spotted the car. Ross wondered if he was just there on the off chance, or if someone had tipped him off. Given half a chance, he’d have run him over.

The Princess used her handbag to shield her face as she ran down the steps into the nightclub. The ma?tre d’ accompanied her to her usual table – heads turning as she crossed the dance floor – where she found Jamil standing waiting for her. He kissed her on both cheeks and, once they’d sat down, they held hands openly across the table, no longer even attempting to conceal their relationship.