Page 9 of Next in Line

‘Sir Julian Warwick,’ he said, without any hint of an apology for waking his client at what might have been for her the middle of the night. He relayed the harbourmaster’s message, and to his surprise she said, ‘My driver will be with you in twenty minutes.’

After putting the phone down, he rushed back upstairs to the bathroom, threw off his dressing gown and pyjamas, jumped into the shower, and swore out loud as the cold jets of water streamed down onto his bald head.

•••

William arrived at Scotland Yard just after six and wasn’t surprised to see Commander Hawksby sitting in the back of a squad car, impatiently tapping his fingers on the front seat. William jumped in beside him. Danny, his driver, set off even before he’d had time to close the door.

•••

It wasn’t twenty minutes but nearer forty by the time Mrs Faulkner’s chauffeur entered the private domain of Lincoln’s Inn Field, and pulled up outside Sir Julian’s flat. Sir Julian, who had been pacing around for the past twenty minutes, quickly joined his client in the back seat.

‘Good morning, Mrs Faulkner,’ he said. Though looking at her attire, he wasn’t altogether sure she’d been to bed the previous night.

‘Good morning, Sir Julian,’ replied Mrs Faulkner as the chauffeur closed the back door and returned to his seat before setting off for Christchurch.

•••

The commander and William were the first to arrive at the port, and immediately checked in with the harbourmaster.

‘The yacht will be docking at berth number fourteen, in about forty minutes,’ he said as the two men shook hands. ‘If you need any assistance, mental or physical, don’t hesitate to ask.’

‘Mr Booth Watson’s only weapon will be his brain,’ responded the commander, ‘which won’t need reloading.’ The Hawk thanked the harbourmaster before returning to his car, and Danny drove slowly along the quayside, coming to a halt at berth fourteen.

The Hawk got out of the car, stared out at the open sea, and raised his binoculars. A few moments later he declared, ‘Got you,’ before passing the binoculars across to William.

William adjusted the focus and began scanning the horizon.

‘It shouldn’t be too long now,’ said the Hawk as a dark blue Mercedes drew up beside them. ‘Why am I not surprised?’ he added when a chauffeur opened the back door to allow Mrs Faulkner and her legal representative to join them.

‘Good morning, Sir Julian,’ said the Hawk as if they had been expected.

‘Good to see you, commander,’ replied Sir Julian. William handed his father the binoculars. After he had settled on the approaching yacht and identified the rotund figure who was staring back at them, he announced, ‘I’ve been looking forward to this moment for some considerable time.’

•••

Captain Redmayne was focusing on the quay, where he saw Commander Hawksby, Chief Inspector Warwick, Christina Faulkner and Sir Julian Warwick all clearly waiting to welcome them with open arms.

‘Looks as if we’re expected,’ said the captain, passing over his binoculars.

Booth Watson just about managed to get to his feet. He had not slept for more than a few hours at a time for the past ten days, continually rushing to the nearest rail, regretting his latest meal.

‘Can we turn back?’ were Booth Watson’s first words once he’d spotted the commander.

‘We could,’ said Captain Redmayne, ‘but I wouldn’t advise it.’

‘Why not?’

‘If you look behind you, you’ll see someone else has already considered that possibility.’ Booth Watson steadied himself and turned around to see they were being followed into port by a border patrol vessel. ‘And before you ask, yes, we are well inside UK territorial waters.’

‘Slow down,’ said Booth Watson. ‘I need time to think.’

•••

‘What makes you think Booth Watson doesn’t realize his client is still alive and back in jail?’ asked William.

‘Is it just possible,’ responded Sir Julian, ‘that I’ve worked out something my clever son hasn’t?’

‘And what might that be?’ asked the Hawk, whose eyes remained focused on the yacht.