Nothing Ventured(51)
Amhurst rose, his head slightly bowed.
“Cyril Amhurst, you have been found guilty of a serious crime, for which I sentence you to one year in prison.”
William tried not to smile.
“However, as you have up until now had an unblemished record, and this is your first offense, the sentence will be suspended for two years, during which time I would recommend you do not visit too many bookshops. You are free to leave the court.”
“Thank you, Your Honor,” said Amhurst, before stepping down from the dock and giving his counsel a long hug.
William shook Hayes’s hand, and thanked him for his gallant effort.
“Your sister was quite brilliant,” admitted Hayes. “With almost nothing to play with, she beat us two–one, and in the end she even had the referee coming down in her favor. I won’t make the same mistake if I come across her again.”
“Nor will I,” said William, before slipping quietly out of the courtroom. He found Grace standing in the corridor, waiting for him.
She gave him that grin he knew so well. “Got time for a drink, bruv?”
* * *
Over dinner that evening, William told Beth exactly what had happened in court. She burst out laughing and said, “You’re a complete idiot.”
“I agree. I’m dreading going into work tomorrow. If I’m not back on the beat, I’ll certainly be put in the stocks.”
“The laughing stocks would be my bet,” said Beth. “I only wish I’d been there to see the look on your face when the judge decided to suspend the sentence.”
“Thank God you weren’t. But if I ever come up against my sister again, I’ll make sure I’m better prepared.”
“So will she.”
“Whose side are you on?”
“I haven’t decided yet, because you still haven’t told me how you got on when you visited Eddie Leigh in Pentonville.”
William put down his knife and fork and described the meeting in great detail. When he came to the end, all Beth said was, “Egg yolk. That more than makes up for your feeble effort in the witness box this morning. But do you think Leigh knows where the Rembrandt is?”
“I’m fairly sure he does, because it turns out that he and Faulkner were at the Slade at the same time. But we’re the last people he’s going to tell. In fact I expect he regrets going as far as he did.”
“Maybe you’ll learn more when you take the copy back to Faulkner’s home tomorrow.”
“Maybe I won’t get past the front gate.”
19
William sat at his desk nervously awaiting his fate. He was reading about the latest development in the Blue Period Picasso case when Lamont came barging into the room.
“What was the outcome yesterday?” were the DCI’s first words.
William took a deep breath. “Amhurst was sentenced to a year, but the judge suspended it for two.”
“Couldn’t have worked out better,” said Lamont, rubbing his hands gleefully.
“What do you mean?” asked William.
“I won the squad sweepstake. One year suspended,” he said as Jackie walked in.
“Who won the jackpot?” Jackie asked, even before she’d taken off her coat.
“I did,” said Lamont.
“Damn.”
“And what did you predict?” William asked her.
“Six months suspended. So not only did I lose, but you also beat me, jammy bastard.”
“What do you mean?”
“The judge threw my first case out of court, and me with it. I left a crucial piece of evidence in my car, so the defendant was released before he even made it to the witness box.”
William burst out laughing.
“Right,” said Lamont. “Let’s all get back to work. Jackie, I need you to take me through the details for tomorrow night’s operation before I can finally give it the green light.”
Jackie went quickly across to her desk and grabbed the relevant file.
“And, William, the copy of the Rembrandt has been placed in a locked van that you’ll find in the car park. Collect the keys from reception and be on your way. Not that anyone’s betting on you getting past the front gate.”
“Did Faulkner fly to Monte Carlo yesterday?” William asked.
“Yes, he landed in Nice around midday, and isn’t expected back for at least another month.”
Commander Hawksby poked his head round the door. “So, what was the verdict?”
“One year suspended,” said Lamont.
“Damn.”
“Dare I ask, sir?” said William.
“Fifty hours community service.”
“Can DS Roycroft and I come and see you, sir, once I’ve finalized the details for Operation Blue Period?” said Lamont.
“Yes, of course, Bruce. And good luck with Mrs. Faulkner, William.”
William reported to reception and collected the keys for the van, before heading down to the underground car park. He checked that the crate containing the painting was safely stored in the back of the van before driving out of the Yard and onto Broadway. During the journey to Limpton, he went over parts A, B, and C of his plan, aware that he could be on his way back to the Yard within an hour if he didn’t get past the front door.