Page 96 of End Game

‘And?’

‘And,’ said William, ‘the Prime Minister would undoubtedly feel it necessary to alert his most trusted colleagues in the Cabinet, not least the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary, which would surely result in it finding its way into the press within days.’

The Hawk stared at a man he both admired and trusted. A man willing to take responsibility for his actions and not simply pass the buck.

The Assistant Commissioner remained silent for some time before he said, ‘I accept your judgement, Commander.’

•••

‘You and your men, Inspector, have all been cleared of any contamination and are free to leave,’ said the doctor, no longer in a protective suit, but in a long white coat, with a stethoscope around his neck.

For the past twelve hours, Ross had been at a hospital that wasn’t listed on the NHS, being probed, poked and scanned by various men and women in white suits. He was now wearing a hospital gown, pyjamas, slippers and a pair of ill-fitting paper pants. His clothes, including his watch and wedding ring, had apparently been placed in an incinerator, along with several other unrecorded objects.

‘Can I ask you a question, doctor?’ asked Ross innocently.

‘Please do, Inspector.’

‘What happened to the dead woman we brought in last night?’

‘She joined your clothes in the incinerator,’ said the doctor, without emotion. He paused, ‘You look disappointed, Inspector.’

‘Yes, I am,’ admitted Ross.

‘May I ask why?’ enquired the doctor.

‘I only wish she’d been alive at the time,’ said Ross.

CHAPTER 30

Sunday, 19 August

REBECCA LOOKED AT HER WATCH:seven o’clock. ‘Doesn’t it feel strange,’ she said to Ross, as they sat together in the Gold Suite, enjoying a cup of tea and what was left of last week’s biscuits.

‘Strange?’ repeated Ross.

‘Only a week ago, there were eighty thousand spectators sitting out there watching a spectacular firework display, clapping, singing, cheering, and now there’s just the two of us …’

‘And the nightwatchman,’ Ross reminded her, as he looked up at the CCTV screens revealing a deserted stadium.

‘And in ten days’ time, it will, once again, be full for the Paralympics,’ said Rebecca, looking at her watch.

‘Let’s hope they’re not quite as eventful as the Olympics.’

‘Especially as William will be away on holiday from tomorrow and Paul will be in charge.’

‘Chief Inspector Adaja is well up to the challenge,’ responded Ross, with a smile. ‘And once the Paralympics have run their course, we’ll all be looking for another job. Perhaps you already know what you’ll be doing?’

‘I’m being transferred to the drugs squad,’ said Rebecca. ‘And you?’

‘I’ll be staying with the boss,’ said Ross. ‘No one else will have me.’

Rebecca laughed. ‘Which boss?’

‘William, of course,’ revealed Ross. ‘Don’t forget, the Hawk will finally be retiring at the end of the year.’

‘And I hear Paul is going to be promoted to Superintendent in charge of the fraud squad.’ Rebecca glanced at her watch once again.

‘Continually looking at your watch won’t make the time go any faster,’ said Ross. ‘So, where do you have to be, and when?’