Page 31 of End Game

‘Can’t help you with that one,’ said the desk sergeant, ‘as you well know.’

‘But youareable to trace the number he’s calling,’ Ross reminded him.

‘Yes. The supervisor will give you the number, but nothing more,’ said the desk sergeant, as Timpson put down the phone. ‘So what do you want me to do with him?’

‘Put him in an interview room with an officer present. Let him cool his heels for about an hour and then release him with a caution, but don’t charge him.’

‘Understood,’ said the desk sergeant. He placed the charge sheet back under the counter, then nodded to one of the constables, who led the prisoner away.

Ross waited until Timpson had disappeared down the stairs before he walked across to the phone and asked to be put through to the supervisor. A few moments later, another voice came on the line. He told her his name, rank and number.

She asked him to hold on.

It was some time before she came back on the line, but then Ross accepted that she would be double-checking. At last, she enquired, ‘How can I help you, Sergeant Hogan?’

‘I need to know the last number that was dialled from this phone,’ said Ross.

Another shorter wait before the supervisor revealed the number.

‘Thank you,’ said Ross, before replacing the phone. He picked it back up again and began to dial.

A few moments later, a voice said, ‘Mr Booth Watson’s chambers. How can I help you?’

Ross put down the phone.

•••

‘Bring me up to speed,’ said the Hawk, as he looked across the table at William and Ross.

‘We know Faulkner was involved in the torch relay incident,’ said Ross, ‘and we also know he’s encouraged a group of well-organized cyclists to disrupt the opening ceremony to highlight their cause.’

‘However, what we suspect but can’t prove,’ added William, ‘is that he’s not working alone.’ He paused. ‘We fear he could be carrying out direct orders from the Russian secret service.’

‘Evidence?’ snapped the Hawk.

Ross spelled out in detail what he’d witnessed at the Oval cricket ground only a few weeks before.

‘But why the Russians?’ asked the Hawk.

‘After Margaret Thatcher tried to ban our athletes from attending the Games in Moscow in 1980, it might quite simply be revenge,’ said William. ‘However, I’ve no doubt there will be other forces at work. Don’t forget, the Olympics will be on every back page for the next month – perhaps they’d like to move it to the front page, for all the wrong reasons. Nothing would please them more than to see the British humiliated on the world stage.’

‘And there are no prizes for guessing on whose shoulders the blame would be placed, which wouldn’t please just the Russians, but Faulkner as well,’ added Ross.

‘So it will be our job to “prevent and protect”, without the public ever finding out what they’re up to,’ suggested the Hawk. ‘A police officer’s worst nightmare.’

‘Do you want me to go on tailing Faulkner, or should I try to track down the Russian I saw him sitting next to at the Oval?’ asked Ross.

‘Faulkner,’ said William without hesitation. ‘The Russian won’t raise his head above the parapet while his collaborator can take the blame. But at the same time, we’ll stay in touch with MI5, who keep constant surveillance on the Russian Embassy. I’ll also contact Professor Meredith at GCHQ to see if he can shed any light on what they might have planned.’

‘But what’s in it for Faulkner?’ asked the Hawk. ‘Because he certainly doesn’t need the money.’

‘A Van Gogh,’ suggested William, ‘that even his money can’t buy.’

CHAPTER 11

25 July 2012 – 2 days to go

‘WHAT A PLEASANT SURPRISE,’ said Beth, as William strolled into the kitchen. ‘To what do we owe this honour, Commander, dare I ask?’