‘Who can that possibly be at this time in the morning?’ said Beth.

‘Probably The Hawk,’ said William as he got up and headed for the door.

‘It’s PC Plod,’ whispered Juan.

‘I hope so,’ said Artemisia, ‘then he can help you solve—’

William closed the door behind him and picked up the phone on the hall table. ‘William Warwick.’

‘Good morning. Geoff Duffield from Heathrow security. DI Hogan flew in from Cape Town first thing this morning, and has just passed through passport control.’

‘Thank you, Geoff. At least that’s one of my problems dealt with. Thank you,’ he repeated before hanging up the phone and returning to the kitchen.

‘Have you met PC Plod?’ Peter was asking Juan.

‘No, but I’d like to, because your father and I could do with his help at the moment.’

‘That was him on the phone,’ said William, joining in the game. ‘He’s on his way to the Yard, so we’d better get going.’

‘Naughty Daddy. Grandpops says you must always finish your breakfast before going to work.’

‘I agree with your grandpops,’ said Juan, who continued to enjoy his eggs and bacon, as William gave in and sat back down.

‘I apologize,’ said Beth. ‘Artemisia tends to repeat the last thing she’s heard.’

‘No need to apologize,’ said Juan. ‘Don’t forget I have three daughters.’

‘And another on the way, William tells me.’

‘What can I possibly have done to deserve that?’ said Juan.

• • •

‘Good morning, Inspector,’ said Jimmy the dip. ‘Will you be joining me for breakfast?’

‘Haven’t the time,’ said Ross, staring enviously at Jimmy’s empty plate before it was whisked away. ‘But if you’re still hoping for the second two hundred, make sure you’re outside the Queen’s Theatre in Wardour Street at ten thirty tonight.’

‘I’ll have to check my diary,’ said Jimmy, as he dropped a third sugar lump in his tea.

‘If you’re not there,’ said Ross, ‘I’ll be joining you for breakfast every morning until you’ve paid back the first two hundred.’

‘You’ve persuaded me, but then there’s no disguising your Irish charm, Inspector,’ said Jimmy, spooning a large blob of marmalade onto a slice of toast. By the time he had picked up his knife and begun to spread it, the Inspector had left.

• • •

Lieutenant Sanchez spread out a large map of Catalonia on the table in front of him, and the team gathered around to take a closer look.

‘Once Chief Inspector Warwick and Inspector Ross have landed in Barcelona,’ he began, ‘they will be driven to a safe house on the outskirts of the city, where I’ll carry out the final briefing, before we all change into the appropriate gear for a night operation.’

‘When is the witching hour?’ asked the commander.

‘Midnight, sir,’ replied Sanchez. ‘We’ll leave the city in an unmarked car, and be dropped off a couple of kilometres from the boundary of Faulkner’s estate.’

William nodded as Sanchez pointed to an ‘X’ he’d marked on the map. ‘Can you be sure he’s still there?’ he asked.