Nothing Ventured(81)

“Sorry to bother you,” said a man who looked even more distressed than Mrs. Faulkner. “But that bloke you’ve just arrested owes me two hundred and seventy-four pounds for his cab fare.”

“Which I fear you won’t be seeing for some time,” said Lamont. “I suggest you contact his lawyer, a Mr. Booth Watson QC at Lincoln’s Inn. I’m sure he’ll be happy to oblige you.”

“A job well done, DC Warwick,” said Hawksby, as William joined him in the back of his car, and the little convoy set off for London. “You can be proud of the role you played.”

William didn’t respond.

“What’s the problem?” asked the commander. “We’ve arrested Faulkner, and got the Rembrandt back, plus a possible bonus in the other crate that we couldn’t have expected. What more could you possibly ask for?”

“Something’s not quite right,” said William.

“Like what?”

“I don’t know. But Faulkner was smiling when you arrested him.”





28


“I think I know what’s in the other crate,” said William.

“But you’re not going to tell me, are you?” said Beth.

“No. Just in case I’m wrong, and then you’ll be disappointed.”

“You do realize that the painting would have to be of Dutch or Flemish origin and pre-1800 before it could be considered by our hanging committee.”

“If I’m right,” said William, “that won’t be a problem. And its provenance is every bit as impressive as the Rembrandt. In any case, thanks to you, I’ve been invited to the opening ceremony.”

“Not me,” said Beth. “It was the museum’s director, Tim Knox, who invited you to the ‘opening of the crates ceremony.’ I can tell you, you wouldn’t have been my first choice.”

“Dare I ask?”

“Christina Faulkner, the woman who made it all possible, and whom I can’t wait to meet and thank personally.”

William didn’t need reminding of the last occasion he’d seen Christina, and wondered if there would ever be a better opportunity to tell Beth exactly what had taken place that night in Monte Carlo.

“I might even bump into her on Saturday,” continued Beth, “if she visits Belmarsh to console her husband.”

“I don’t think so,” said William. “But my father and Grace are going to the prison this morning to give your father some important news.”

“Good or bad?” asked Beth, sounding anxious.

“I’ve no idea. He wouldn’t even tell my mother.”

“I wish I could be there to hear the news,” said Beth, “but we’d better get moving if we’re not going to be late for the ‘opening of the crates ceremony.’ This is one of those days when I wish I could be in two places at once.”



* * *



“Good morning, Sir Julian. The prisoner is waiting for you in the interview room.”

“Thank you, Mr. Rose.” The leading silk and his junior followed the prison officer along a corridor that was becoming all too familiar.

When they reached the interview room Sir Julian shook hands with his client. “Good morning, Arthur.”

“Good morning, Sir Julian,” Arthur replied, before kissing Grace on both cheeks.

“Let me begin with some good news,” said Sir Julian, sitting down and placing his Gladstone bag by his side. Arthur looked apprehensive. “Thanks to the expertise of Professor Leonard Abrahams, a forensic document analyst at Columbia University in New York, the DPP has agreed to support our application for leave to appeal against sentence, which is virtually a retrial.”

“That’s wonderful news,” said Arthur.

“And even better,” said Grace, “we’ve been given an early slot in the court calendar, so your appeal should be heard in a few weeks’ time.”

“How did you manage that?”

“Sometimes you get lucky,” said Sir Julian.

“Especially if you and the DPP were at Oxf—”

“Behave yourself, Grace,” said her father. “Although I must confess I’ve used up all my markers.”

“I’m most grateful,” said Arthur.

“It was worth playing the long game,” said Sir Julian, without explanation. “However, as we only have an hour, Arthur, we must use the time constructively. First, I should tell you that I intend to call only three witnesses.”

“Will I be one of them?” asked Arthur.

“No point,” said Sir Julian. “Appeal hearings are held in front of three judges, not a jury, and you have nothing new to tell then. They will only be interested in any fresh evidence.”

“So who will you be calling?”

“The two police officers who gave evidence at the original trial.”

“But they’re hardly likely to change their stories.”

“You’re probably right. However, William has received some information from an unimpeachable source that might make their original testimony look a little less credible. However, our principal witness will still be Professor Abrahams. Grace has been dealing directly with him, so she’ll take you through the evidence he has compiled, and, more importantly, his conclusions.”