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‘We’re not going to allow anything to happen to you,’ said William calmly. ‘In fact, until Hartley is released, and especially while the Prince is in London, we’ll have a team of trained detectives watching you night and day, with Ross in charge of the whole operation.’

‘Couldn’t Ross just kill Ahmed when he’s in London?’ suggested Avril, without any suggestion of irony.

‘I’d like nothing more,’ said Ross, ‘but I don’t think the Foreign Office would approve, while there’s the slightest chance of closing the arms deal and getting Simon Hartley home safely.’

‘So what do you have planned for me now?’ asked Avril.

‘We’d like you to stay out of harm’s way while the Saudi delegation is in London, as we think it’s just possible Prince Ahmed might come looking for you.’

‘That shouldn’t be a problem,’ said Avril, ‘as I have absolutely no desire to see that man again.’

‘It should only be for a couple of weeks, three at the most,’ said the Hawk, ‘then you can go back to work.’

‘Nicely put, Commander, if I may say so,’ said Avril, ‘but that could change when I return to Riyadh, appear in court and name Ahmed as the murderer.’

‘I think you’ll find Hartley will have been released long before then,’ said William, as he handed her a pen.

She read the statement a second time before finally signing it above the name, Jenny Prescott.

‘So what next?’ asked Avril, as the coach turned right and continued on down the Earl’s Court Road, while it made its way towards Westminster.

‘Once we reach Whitehall,’ said William, ‘we can drive you wherever you like. Is there somewhere safe you can stay?’

‘With my mother in Putney until I can find somewhere to rent.’

William nodded. ‘It might be wise, given the circumstances, if you were to avoid letting your mother know about our agreement.’

‘That shouldn’t prove too difficult,’ said Avril. ‘She doesn’t even know what I do for a living, so I certainly won’t be telling her I’m mixed up with the police, the Foreign Office and a rather dubious foreign Prince.’

‘How have you explained what you were doing in Riyadh?’ asked the Commander.

‘I was working as a personal assistant for the director of an oil company.’

‘So why are you coming home?’ pressed William.

Avril didn’t answer immediately. ‘It became a little too personal, so when his wife found out, I got the sack.’

The three men laughed.

‘However,’ she continued, ‘I think I might tell her I’ve met a rather dishy man from Dublin called Declan O’Reilly who’s trying to close an oil deal in Saudi. Nothing will please an old-fashioned Irish Catholic mother like mine more than the thought I might marry a fellow countryman.’

The Commander smiled. ‘I think you’ll find Inspector Hogan has other plans.’

‘Lucky girl,’ said Avril, as they drove around Parliament Square and came to a halt outside the Foreign Office.

The four of them climbed off the coach to find a car parked on a double yellow line waiting for them. William opened the back door to allow Avril to get in, but not before she’d kissed Ross on both cheeks.

‘Some lady that,’ said the Commander as the car drove off. ‘But for now, Ross, you’d better report to Mr Trevelyan while we make our way back to the Yard. However, once he’s finished with you, report to my office.’

‘But how can you be sure which side I’m on?’ Ross asked the Hawk, trying to keep a straight face.

‘Don’t forget,’ said the Hawk, ‘I’ve met Mr Trevelyan and he’s not your type.’

‘See you later, sir,’ said Ross, before he disappeared into the Foreign Office.

‘Heaven help us if Ross were working for the other side,’ said the Commander, as the two of them headed back to Scotland Yard.

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