Page 68 of End Game

Paul didn’t need to be told what William had been up to while he was stranded above the Thames.

•••

Faulkner strolled out onto Western Gateway, shoebox under one arm, wondering how long it would be before …

A squad car pulled up beside him. Three officers leapt out and surrounded him.

‘How can I help you?’ said Faulkner, while offering his most innocent smile.

‘We’ll take the box for a start, sir,’ said the senior officer.

Faulkner handed it over, just as an out-of-breath Paul appeared by their side. He produced his warrant card, and the box once again changed hands.

•••

‘Where are you, Jackie?’ asked William, switching phones.

‘Just entering the tube station, sir. I’ll call you the moment I reach the Yard and report back if the photo reveals anything.’

She stepped onto the escalator as her phone went dead.

•••

William turned his attention back to Paul and waited impatiently as he climbed into the back of the squad car.

‘Get on with it,’ said William.

Paul stared at the box for some time before he slowly removed the lid. He gasped.

‘So what’s inside?’ demanded William.

Paul stared down into an empty box.

•••

Collins drove for some time, taking slip roads and doubling back, but didn’t head for the plan B rendezvous until he was convinced no one was following him.

He finally came to a halt outside a Chinese restaurant in Soho,where the head waiter didn’t take a booking, just a shoebox, which he delivered to one of his regulars who was seated in an alcove.

‘And what would you like for your main course, Ambassador?’ asked the head waiter.

•••

Jackie stepped off the escalator and headed for the District Line. Five stops to St James’s, followed by a short walk across to Scotland Yard. As soon as she was back, she would search the photographs stored on the system, and if the woman she’d spotted turned out to be part of the relay team, her description would be circulated to everyone working in Olympic security within the hour.

She didn’t notice the tiny woman a few steps behind her on the escalator, hidden behind a large man hugging his girlfriend.

When she reached the platform, Jackie only had to wait a couple of minutes before she heard the rumble of an approaching train in the distance. She looked to her left and took a pace forward as the train emerged from the tunnel.

The woman slipped in behind her, and, with a well-practised movement that would have impressed a seasoned pickpocket, deftly removed the mobile phone from Jackie’s bag.

But when she felt a hand touch the small of her back, Jackie swung around, just in time to recognize the woman from the bus queue, before one almighty shove propelled her forward. Jackie couldn’t stop herself from falling onto the track.

The driver immediately slammed on his brakes, and although the train came screeching to a halt, it was already too late. Screams and gasps followed from the passengers waiting on the platform as Jackie was hit by the train.

CHAPTER 22

Monday, 6 August – day 11 of the Games