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‘Avril Dubois,’ said Miles, who didn’t have to wait for a reaction.

The Prince lurched forward in his chair, as if he was about to attack the mongoose, but the snake remained uncurled.

‘I have it on good authority,’ continued Miles, ‘that when the trial comes to court, Ms Dubois will be returning to Riyadh as part of a British defence team, when she will produce irrefutable evidence that His Royal Highness might find extremely embarrassing.’

The Prince shifted uneasily in his chair, but still didn’t comment.

‘She wouldn’t get past immigration control,’ said Khalil.

‘Which is exactly what the Foreign Office are anticipating,’ said Miles, not missing a beat, ‘and is why she will also be accompanied by foreign correspondents fromThe Guardian,The Timesand theNew Statesman. I have to warn you they have already written their copy, which will not read well.’ Miles paused before he played his trump card. ‘However, if you think it would be helpful, I can make sure she doesn’t reach the airport.’

‘And what would you expect in return?’ came back Khalil.

‘That Simon Hartley also doesn’t make it to the airport.’

There was a short silence, during which time Khalil and the Prince exchanged glances.

‘Why is Hartley so important to you?’ demanded Khalil.

‘For the same reason Avril is important to you,’ said Miles. ‘A great deal of money is at stake.’

Miles waited for a response, aware that all the information Booth Watson and ex-Superintendent Lamont had supplied had hit home.

‘You have a deal, Mr Faulkner,’ said the Prince, speaking for the first time. He rose from his place and shook hands with Miles as if they were old friends.

Miles bowed low once again before he said, ‘It’s been a pleasure doing business with you, Your Royal Highness.’

The Prince simply nodded to indicate that the meeting was over. Khalil accompanied his guest back to the lift, but this time, when he offered his hand, Miles didn’t shake it.

‘Now listen to me carefully, you little shit,’ said Miles as he waited for the lift to appear. ‘Should you fail to keep your end of the bargain, I would advise you not to return to yourhomeland, because if you do it won’t be your wife and children waiting to greet you in the Arrivals hall.’

Khalil was still shaking when the lift doors opened. Miles stepped inside, pressed G, and continued to stare at Khalil as the doors slowly closed. Once he’d returned to the ground floor, he walked across the lobby and out of the hotel to his waiting car, with William following his every step.

As Faulkner climbed into his Rolls, William took out his mobile and dialled a number he didn’t need to look up. It was some time before a voice came on the line and barked, ‘Who’s this?’

‘Warwick, sir,’ William replied. ‘We have a problem.’

•••

Chief Superintendent Warwick arrived back at his home just after three o’clock that morning. He closed the front door quietly, crept upstairs and slipped into bed, hoping not to wake Beth.

He lay awake for the next four hours with only one question on his mind.

He slipped out of bed just before seven, took a cold shower, brushed his teeth, dressed in the dark in yesterday’s clothes and left the bedroom without turning on the light. He crept back downstairs, went into the kitchen, grabbed a bowl of cornflakes, and made himself a cup of tea and a slice of toast which he spread with marmalade. He ate and drank at the same time.

He’d left the house before anyone realized he’d even been home.

•••

Once again, they all stood in line and watched as the Saudi Defence Minister and his son climbed on board the 747 and disappeared inside without once looking back or offering the traditional wave.

William, who was standing some way off from the main party, breathed a sigh of relief when the cabin door finally closed.

As the Foreign Secretary watched the plane slowly begin to taxi towards the runway, he remarked to Trevelyan, ‘So now it’s anyone’s guess who will end up with the arms deal.’

‘I can’t pretend to be over-optimistic about our chances,’ responded Trevelyan. ‘The only time the damn man was polite was when he was with the Queen.’

The sound of the four jet engines roaring into life drowned out the Foreign Secretary’s reply as the plane took off.