Page 85 of Next in Line

‘I don’t believe it,’ said William.

‘You’re getting better at lying, William,’ said the Hawk. ‘But you’re still not very good at it.’

•••

Lamont dialled the number at five minutes past four. The call was answered after four rings, without any acknowledgement. All he said was, ‘Library,’ and a few seconds later he heard a second ringing tone.

‘Yes?’ said a voice after another four rings.

‘The money has been returned to your bank in Mayfair,’ he said without introducing himself. ‘I put it in your deposit box with the other twelve million, then returned the key to the head of security.’

‘Expenses?’

‘All covered, including the portrait of Henry VIII which is now on display at the Van Haeften gallery, listed as by a follower of Hans Holbein, with an asking price of five thousand.’

‘Buy it, and have van Haeften send it to Mrs Warwick as a gift.’

‘From you?’ he asked.

‘No. An admirer.’

‘And the house in Amsterdam?’

‘The keys have been returned to the agent.’

‘And the actors?’

‘Have all been paid well above Equity rates. I thought the old man gave a magnificent performance, every bit as accomplished as his John of Gaunt at the Old Vic a few years ago. His two sons may only have had walk-on parts, but they were also totally convincing.’

Miles was well satisfied. Christina had once again underestimated him and his knowledge of how the art market worked. But he would still have to remain wide awake, because she would exact revenge given the slightest opportunity, and she had one advantage. He was still locked up, while she was on the outside.

He assumed Lamont was still on the other end of the line. ‘If you check your personal account tomorrow,’ said Miles, ‘you’ll find the agreed sum has already been deposited. But don’t even think about retiring yet, Lamont, because I’ve got an even bigger assignment for you. I’ll be in touch.’

CHAPTER 29

‘I’M GOING TO RECOMMEND TOthe CPS that another two years is knocked off your sentence,’ said William, who had taken Faulkner by surprise by returning to see him in prison so quickly. Holbrooke had made it clear there wasn’t a moment to spare.

Rebecca began writing.

‘That means I’d be out of here by Christmas,’ said Faulkner with an undisguised smirk.

‘I’m not sure how you work that out,’ said William, unable to hide his surprise. ‘Neither of us can be sure how many years the judge will add to your present sentence when you appear before him at the Old Bailey in a few weeks’ time.’

‘Clearly you are unaware of the deal I’ve made with your father. He’s already agreed that if I plead guilty to the latest charges, the CPS will recommend a suspended sentence.’

William wanted to laugh out loud, but could see he wasn’t joking.

‘So if you get me two more years off my present sentence, that would bring it down to four, and if you then deduct the time I’ve already served, and my tariff is halved for good behaviour, I should, as I said, be out by Christmas.’

William couldn’t believe what he was hearing. ‘What makes you think the CPS would be willing to drop all the charges against you? If historic precedence is anything to go by, absconding from prison usually leads to the original sentence being doubled, which means you’ll be lucky to be released before the end of the century.’

‘But as I’ve explained, I’ve made a deal with the CPS, which you seem to be unaware of. I suggest you have a word with your father.’

Rebecca kept writing.

‘Why would my father agree to drop the charges against you when it’s an open-and-shut case?’

‘In exchange for me not raising the subject of you and DI Hogan breaking into my home in Spain, stealing a Frans Hals, then bringing me back to England in my own plane, against my will.’