Page 82 of End Game

‘How are you all coping after losing Jackie?’ she asked quietly.

‘Not well,’ admitted William. ‘And it doesn’t help that the murderer is still on the loose but, thanks to Arte, at least we have a photo of the suspect, and a piece of evidence that even she won’t be able to hide.’

Beth was just about to ask what piece of evidence when the maître d’ appeared by their side. Beth opened the menu and remained silent for a moment, before she said, ‘That was easy enough. Smoked salmon and veal piccata, please.’

‘And you, sir?’

‘The Parma ham and melon followed by a rump steak, well done,’ said William.

‘So predictable,’ sighed Beth, as she handed back her menu to the maître d’.

‘And your choice of wine, sir?’ asked the maître d’.

‘Why don’t you decide what will complement our selection?’ said Beth sweetly.

‘Well, that should take care of my wages for the next month,’ said William, as the maître d’ bowed and disappeared. ‘How are the children?’

‘I’m so glad you asked,’ said Beth, ‘and your starter for ten is, can you remember their names?’

‘Let’s begin with Artemisia,’ said William, playing along.

‘Her article has been picked up by every other paper and looks as if it will run and run, which you may have missed, stuck down in your dungeon.’

‘I can assure you, I didn’t miss it,’ said William, ‘But has the editor offered her a full-time job, as he promised, if she came up with a genuine exclusive?’

‘Yes, he has,’ replied Beth. ‘She begins life as a junior staff reporter the day after the Paralympics have ended.’

‘Well done, Arte,’ said William, raising an empty glass.

‘She’s still struggling with guilt after what happened to Natasha,’ said Beth, as a plate of thinly sliced smoked salmon was placed in front of her.

‘I suspect,’ said William, ‘that’s a common problem for journalists when faced with such a dilemma. How to remain detached so that it never becomes personal. You know Robert called me to ask for my permission to propose to Arte?’

‘How wonderfully old-fashioned of him,’ said Beth.

‘And for her to agree,’ said William. ‘A lot of young people don’t bother with marriage nowadays, and as for having children …’

He held Beth’s hand again as if it were a first date.

•••

Paul sat on his motorbike outside the Russian Embassy, but there was no sign of the Ambassador. He watched as a dozen guests, dressed in dinner jackets, went inside, only to reappear a couple of hours later and climb back into their cars, to go their separate ways.

He hung around for a couple more hours, and didn’t leave until the last light in the embassy had gone out, when he returned home, hoping to grab a few hours’ sleep before returning to the stadium well in time for the closing ceremony.

•••

The maître d’ reappeared by their side. ‘I have chosen the Chablis 2001, madam, which I hope will meet with your approval.’

After taking a sip, Beth said, ‘Quite superb, it couldn’t be better, and you can give my would-be boyfriend half a glass. No more.’

‘And dare I ask about Peter?’ said William, as he sipped his wine. ‘What has he been up to?’

‘Funny you should ask that,’ said Beth, ‘because on Wednesday he left the house just after three in the morning and got back home just in time for breakfast. When I raised the subject with him, he behaved like a lawyer. I wondered ifyoucould throw any light on it.’

‘A young woman, perhaps,’ said William.

‘Good try, Commander, but I suspect you know only too well where you both were at that time in the morning, even if you’re not going to let me in on the secret.’