• • •

Faulkner didn’t stop protesting as the squad car shot out of the airport and onto the main road. It took all of William’s and Ross’s strength just to restrain him. Ross finally decided on a delaying tactic, and thrust an elbow sharply into Faulkner’s groin with all the strength he could muster. Faulkner doubled up, and his protests turned to a whimpering moan.

‘Was that necessary?’ asked William.

‘Possibly not, sir,’ replied Ross, ‘but I had reason to believe you were about to be attacked.’

William looked out of the window to make sure Ross couldn’t see him laughing.

Faulkner had fully recovered by the time Danny reached Pentonville Road, siren still blaring. The vast wooden gates began to slowly open as they approached the prison.

‘You’ve made a dreadful mistake,’ protested Faulkner. ‘I’m Captain Ralph Neville RN.’

‘And I’m Mother Teresa RC,’ said Ross.

This time William couldn’t stop himself laughing.

Danny drove through the prison gates to find a reception party waiting for them. When he came to a halt, the governor stepped forward.

‘Welcome back, 0249,’ he said as the prisoner was dragged out of the squad car. ‘I’m afraid your old cell is currently occupied, but we’ve found you a larger one, which you’ll be sharing with a couple of lifers. One murdered his mother, and the other’s a heroin addict, who just can’t get to sleep at night, poor fellow. Still, you should be safely out of harm’s way on the top bunk.’ He gave Faulkner a warm smile, before adding, ‘Just be thankful you’re not in solitary. But do let me know if that would be your preference.’

‘I demand to speak to my lawyer,’ said Faulkner.

‘I’m afraid he’s out of the country at the moment,’ said William, as two guards grabbed the prisoner’s arms and led him into the high-security wing. ‘But I’ll be sure to let him know the moment he gets back.’

• • •

Collins got out of the police car just as a taxi drove through the front gates.

‘Did you get him out of the safe in time?’ were Booth Watson’s first words as he climbed out of the cab.

‘I was about to call Señora Martinez when I saw your taxi coming up the drive.’

‘But I told you to do that hours ago,’ said an exasperated Booth Watson as he waited for Collins to unlock the front door.

‘I would have done it hours ago,’ snapped Collins, ‘if Sanchez hadn’t arrested me on spurious charges. I’ve only just got back from what was so obviously a set-up.’

‘Then we haven’t a moment to lose,’ Booth Watson snapped back as Collins ran into the house and along the corridor, coming to a halt outside the study door. The butler waited for a breathless Booth Watson to join him before they both entered the room. Neither of them could help noticing that the solid metal door was still firmly closed. Collins walked quickly over to the boss’s desk and started leafing through his private telephone book.