Page 65 of End Game

Artemisia made another note to herself.

‘This is beginning to look like it might just be your big exclusive,’ said Robert.

‘Let’s hope so, but I won’t believe it until I’ve seen their plane take off for Lyon. I just hope everything works out for them.’ She grimaced when she thought about the risk the two lovers were taking, and how tightly they’d held each other’s hands on the bus. She couldn’t begin to imagine how she’d feel if her government tried to keep her and Robert apart.

CHAPTER 21

Sunday, 5 August – day 10 of the Games

WILLIAM HAD JUST FALLEN ASLEEPfor the third time that night when the alarm went off. He came out of his dream and placed the palm of his hand on the alarm button, but the insistent sound didn’t cease. He blinked, opened his eyes, and looked across to find it wasn’t the alarm but the phone that was ringing.

He grabbed the handset as he checked his clock. It flicked from 6.13 to 6.14 a.m.

‘Petrov has just left the Russian Embassy,’ said a voice he immediately recognized, ‘and I wouldn’t have woken you if he hadn’t been carrying a shoebox.’

William was suddenly wide awake.

‘One of my men is already on his tail,’ said Professor Meredith, ‘but it won’t be too long before he’s spotted, so you’ll have to move quickly.’

William pressed the emergency button on his phone, andwithin moments three new voices said, ‘Good morning, sir,’ in different degrees of alertness.

‘Which of you is closest to Kensington Palace Gardens?’ William asked, without explanation.

‘I’m in Hyde Park on my morning run, so could be there in a few minutes,’ said Ross, as he changed direction and turned his jog into a flat-out run.

‘I’m on a bus heading for Scotland Yard, sir,’ said Jackie. ‘If I get off at the next stop and grab a taxi, I should be there in about ten minutes, fifteen at the most.’

‘Call me the moment you’re in the taxi,’ said William. ‘And you, Paul?’

‘I’m in bed, sir,’ said Paul ‘I’ve just come off the night shift.’

‘Then you’re just in time to start the day shift,’ said William. ‘Call me the moment you’re dressed and are leaving. You’ll need your motorbike.’

‘And a good morning to you too, sir,’ said Paul, as he almost fell out of bed.

‘Where is Petrov now?’ asked William, switching back to the Professor.

‘He’s heading east along the Bayswater Road,’ said Meredith, ‘and it looks as if he’s about to enter Hyde Park. At this time of the morning, the park is fairly quiet, so it will be much easier to spot someone following him. At most, my man has only got a few more minutes before he’s blown.’

‘I have the eye,’ said an out-of-breath Ross. ‘He’s about a quarter of a mile away heading directly for me. I’m going to have to run straight past him and hope he doesn’t recognize me.’

‘Is he still carrying the shoebox?’ asked William.

‘Yes, he’s got it under his arm,’ said Ross. ‘Do I arrest him this time?’

‘No,’ said William.

‘Petrov’s next move will be to cross a road,’ came in Meredith. ‘A simple way to check if anyone is following him.’

‘Bang on cue,’ said Ross, as he watched Petrov nip in and out of the early morning traffic before reaching the pavement on the other side of the road.

‘Where are you, Jackie?’ asked William.

‘I’m in a taxi, just entering the north end of the park.’

‘Look out for a man heading in your direction, holding a shoebox.’

‘Got him,’ replied Jackie.