Over My Dead Body (Detective William Warwick #4)(25)

‘Keep going for a while, I think,’ said Miles. The lorry in front of them slowed down as the barriers were lowered at the railway crossing.

‘We got our timing wrong, boss,’ said Eddie.

‘I think we may have got our timing just right. What I want you to do …’

? ? ?

‘Do you think they’ve spotted us?’ said William as the taxi joined a short queue waiting for the train to leave the station and the barrier to rise.

‘Possible, sir,’ said Danny. ‘A taxi’s always a bit conspicuous on a motorway and having to do eighty didn’t help.’

‘Perhaps we should have used an unmarked squad car for this particular job, and not a taxi.’

‘Why don’t we arrest him while he can’t get away?’

‘No, we’ll stick to the plan, while he’s still driving straight into a trap.’

‘He’s on the move!’ shouted Danny as the passenger door of the Mercedes shot open. ‘He’s heading for the station.’

‘Dump the car, then follow me,’ said William, as he threw open the back door, jumped out and ran towards the station. By the time Danny had manoeuvred the taxi onto the grass verge his boss was already charging across the pedestrian bridge. William raced down the steps on the far side of the track and leapt through the only door of the train that was still open just as it began to move off.

He yanked down the window and shouted to Danny, who had just reached the platform, ‘I want a dozen officers waiting for me at the next station. And call DI Hogan to let him know the groom won’t be turning up.’

? ? ?

‘He’s going to be late for his own wedding,’ said Christina, checking her watch once again.

‘And I have another ceremony at three o’clock,’ the vicar gently reminded her.

‘Something must have gone wrong,’ said Booth Watson.

All three of them continued to stare at the entrance to the church, but there was still no sign of the groom.

? ? ?

William walked slowly down each carriage, double-checking the first-class compartments, in search of Captain Ralph Neville, although he intended to arrest Miles Faulkner. By the time he had reached the back of the train, he assumed Faulkner must have locked himself in one of the lavatories. However, as there were no windows in the toilets, he couldn’t hope to escape.

? ? ?

‘I’m so sorry, Mrs Faulkner,’ said the vicar. ‘But some of the guests for my next wedding are already waiting outside. I can’t put them off for much longer.’

‘This particular groom won’t be getting to the church on time, vicar,’ said Booth Watson, ‘so I think we should call it a day. Especially as some of those people waiting impatiently outside are not guests for this or any other wedding.’

‘How can you possibly know that?’ asked Christina.

‘They’re all over six foot, dressed in the same trademark suits, and not one of them is wearing a carnation.’

? ? ?

‘I’ve got a dozen officers in place, Chief Inspector,’ said a voice William didn’t recognize.

‘Which station?’

‘Tunbridge Wells, where you’re due to arrive in about fifteen minutes.’

‘How many platforms are there?’

‘Just two.’

‘Be sure to cover them both, because if there’s a way to escape Faulkner will find it. I’ll be the first person to get off, and tell the guard the train doesn’t leave until I say so.’

‘Understood, sir.’ The line went dead.

William began the slow journey back down the corridor, double-checking each carriage even more carefully a second time. He thought one man who was studiously looking out of the window at the passing countryside looked familiar, but he’d arrested so many people over the years he couldn’t immediately place him.

Five of the eleven toilets were engaged. However, by the time the train pulled into the next station, he suspected only one would still be occupied. The train wouldn’t depart until its door opened.

? ? ?

‘We won’t waste any more of your time, vicar,’ said Booth Watson, checking his watch, ‘because I can assure you, the groom will not be turning up.’

‘So what am I meant to do?’ snapped Christina.

‘I’ll be in touch,’ said Booth Watson, ‘just remember you’ve already signed a binding contract, and there’s no get-out clause.’

‘I’m very sorry, Mrs Faulkner,’ said the vicar. ‘You must be so disappointed.’

‘Relieved, actually,’ admitted Christina.

‘No doubt there’s a simple explanation,’ said the vicar, still trying to comfort her.

‘The one thing it won’t be is simple,’ said Christina, as she headed back down the aisle, unaccompanied.

As Booth Watson left the church, he noticed that one of the tense-looking young men he’d spotted earlier was wearing a Metropolitan Police tie.

Christina walked out of the church a few moments later. Several women who were waiting to take their places for the next ceremony admired her going-away outfit, even if she didn’t seem to know where she was going.

? ? ?

The 14.43 pulled into Tunbridge Wells on time, and William was the first person off the train. He joined the little posse awaiting him. An Inspector Thomas stepped forward and introduced himself. ‘I’ve got every exit covered,’ he assured him.