Page 37 of Next in Line

‘I’ve managed to collect a ton of circumstantial evidence, but nothing that would stand up in a court of law.’

‘Just remember you’ll need a ton of indisputable evidence to bring down Milner, because that man has brought a new meaning to the words “friends in high places”. Who do you think the Palace will instinctively believe – a man who’s served the Royal Family for more than a decade, or a DCI they’ve never heard of? So it sounds to me as if Jackie and Paul have the best chance of derailing the Milner gravy train.’

‘Especially as he’s rarely in Windsor. While—’

‘—the cat’s away,’ said the Hawk. ‘But what about Ross? Has he carried out my instructions?’

‘To the letter,’ replied William.

‘Details,’ demanded the Hawk.

‘He took his daughter to London Zoo quite recently, and claimed it on expenses, including a chocolate nut sundae, and when he presented the claim, Milner didn’t question it.’

‘Which only makes me wonder what can possibly be his chocolate nut sundae. Has Ross come up with anything else we ought to know about?’

‘It would appear that Princess Diana is conducting a relationship with a young—’

‘Gigolo,’ said the Hawk. ‘Yes, I read the details in Dempster. So we can only hope that she eventually comes to her senses.’

‘Ross tells me it’s getting quite serious.’

‘In which case the problem will be taken out of his hands, but it might be wise in future for him to put everything on the record, because if it does get out of control, they’ll be looking for someone to blame, and he’ll be the obvious scapegoat,’ said the Hawk just as the phone on his desk began to ring.

‘I’ll let him know, sir,’ said William.

‘I’ve got Geoff Duffield on the line,’ said his secretary when he picked up the receiver. ‘He’s calling from Heathrow – says it’s an emergency.’

‘With Duffield, everything’s an emergency,’ said the Hawk. ‘Put him through.’ He touched the speaker button so William could listen to the conversation.

‘Good morning, Superintendent,’ Hawksby said. ‘Last time you called me it was a hijacking. What have you got for me this time?’

‘Worse, I’m afraid,’ said Duffield. ‘A private jet has made an unscheduled landing at Heathrow to refuel and change crews before going on to Moscow. We think it’s possible Mansour Khalifah is on board.’

‘If he is,’ said the Hawk, ‘that certainly qualifies as an emergency.’ He tapped away on his computer to find that Khalifah had twenty-six outstanding arrest warrants in almost as many countries, and was near the top of Interpol’s ‘Most Wanted’ list.

‘We’ll have to be sure it’s him before we can make a move. The last thing we need is a major diplomatic incident when we’re accused of arresting an innocent man. Start by questioning the incoming crew.’

‘I already have, sir. All they were able to tell me was that the plane flew in from Libya, and there are only three passengers on board.’

‘Libya might be considered a clue,’ suggested William.

‘But not conclusive,’ replied the commander.

‘How much time do we have before the flight’s cleared for take-off?’ William asked.

‘An hour at the most,’ said Duffield. ‘But we haven’t allocated them a departure slot yet. The replacement crew are waiting to board.’

‘Stop them in their tracks,’ said William. ‘Lock them up if necessary.’

‘I’m not sure I have the authority to do that,’ said Duffield.

‘You do now,’ said the Hawk.

‘Have you got an emergency SO19 team in place?’ asked William.

‘Yes, under the command of an Inspector Roach. They’re on standby.’

‘Get them kitted out as the replacement crew, and tell them we’ll supply the stewardess,’ said William. ‘We should be with you in about forty minutes.’