‘On what charge?’ Grant spread his hands. ‘We’d have to think up a brand-new one just for him.’

‘What about accessory before the fact? He knew the caper was coming off – he should have passed on the information to us.’

‘I can’t imagine a judge giving him more than a stern wigging for that. Anyway, how could Craig have obtained such detailed information?’

‘Simple,’ Miller said. ‘He’s an electronics expert. Directional microphones, transistor transmitters the size of matchboxes, fountain pen receivers. You name it, he’s got it.’

‘Nothing illegal in that considering the nature of his business.’ Grant shook his head. ‘Proof, Nick – real proof. That’s what you need. You haven’t got it and you never will have unless I miss my guess.’

‘All right,’ Miller said. ‘You win. What about Vernon? Do we bring him in?’

Grant hesitated. ‘No, let him stew for a while. He’s always covered his tracks perfectly in the past so there’s no reason to think things will be any easier for us this time. If we’re going to get him, it must be through Morgan and his boys. Put two men on watch at his club and leave it at that for the moment.’

Brady knocked on the door and entered, a sheaf of teletype flimsies in his hand. ‘I thought I’d get the facts on all of them while I was at it. Our awkward friend is a bloke called Jack Fallon – a real tearaway. He’s even done time for manslaughter.’

‘He certainly met his match this time,’ Grant said.

Miller was reading the reports quickly and he suddenly frowned. ‘Cable Diamonds – that has a familiar sound.’

‘It should have,’ Brady said. ‘It was mentioned in that confidential file on Vernon that we got from C.R.O. in London. Another of the jobs he was supposed to be behind.’

Miller grinned. ‘You’re going to love this, sir,’ he said to Grant and passed one of the flimsies across. ‘Joe Morgan was nicked for that job after getting clean away. He did five years, but the diamonds were never recovered.’

‘He doesn’t seem to be having much luck with Max Vernon, does he?’ Brady said.

Grant nodded and got to his feet. ‘Let’s go and remind him of that fact, shall we?’

13

From one-thirty onwards Max Vernon knew in his heart that something had gone badly wrong. By two-fifteen he was sure of it. He poured himself a large brandy, went to his desk and flicked one of the switches on the intercom.

‘Get in here, Ben.’

The door opened a few moments later and Carver entered. ‘Yes, Mr Vernon?’

‘Something’s up – they’re way over time. Take the car and go for a drive past Chatsworth’s. See if you can see any action.’