‘How long has he been in there?’ asked Booth Watson, pointing at the safe door.

‘Over four hours,’ Collins replied. ‘We might still be able to save him, but we’ll have to move quickly.’

Collins began dialling the number of Faulkner’s Spanish lawyer, when Booth Watson asked, ‘What were Mr Faulkner’s instructions before the police turned up?’

‘He told me I was to pack up every one of his paintings and put them in the hold of the yacht as soon as it arrives this evening.’

‘Then you should carry out those orders, and leave me to speak to Señora Martinez.’

The butler reluctantly handed the phone over to Booth Watson. ‘Should anyone ever ask you, Collins, you will tell them that Mr Faulkner died in Switzerland last year, where he was cremated, which I can confirm, as I attended the funeral along with Inspector Warwick.’

‘Señora Martinez’s office,’ said a voice as Collins closed the door behind him.

Booth Watson quietly replaced the receiver.

• • •

‘I told you to brief me on everything you two were up to, Chief Inspector,’ said the commander at the top of his voice. ‘And I meant everything.’

‘I didn’t think you would want me to wake you in the middle of the night, sir,’ replied William unconvincingly.

‘Then you were wrong, Chief Inspector. Both of you will report to my office immediately – immediately!’ repeated The Hawk, before he slammed the phone down.

His wife turned over, blinked and looked across at her husband as he climbed out of bed. ‘What are you smiling about?’ she asked, but he’d already closed the bathroom door.

The Hawk clenched a fist and punched the air several times, the smile not leaving his face.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

My thanks for their invaluable advice and research to:

Simon Bainbridge, Michael Benmore, Jonathan Caplan QC,

Kate Elton, Alison Prince and Johnny Van Haeften.

Special thanks to:

Detective Sergeant Michelle Roycroft (Ret.)

Chief Superintendent John Sutherland (Ret.)

and Detective Chief Inspector Jackie Malton (Ret.)

About the Author

Jeffrey Archer is one of the world’s bestselling authors, with sales of over 275 million copies in 97 countries.

Famous for his discipline as a writer who works on up to fourteen drafts of each book, Jeffrey also brings a vast amount of insider knowledge to his books. Whether it’s his own career in politics, his passionate interest in art, or the wealth of fascinating background detail – inspired by the extraordinary network of friends he has built over a lifetime at the heart of Britain’s establishment – his novels provide a fascinating glimpse into a range of closed worlds.

A member of the House of Lords, the author is married to Dame Mary Archer, and they have two sons, two granddaughters and three grandsons. He splits his time between London, Grantchester in Cambridge, and Mallorca, where he writes the first draft of each new novel.

Also by Jeffrey Archer

THE WILLIAM WARWICK NOVELS

Nothing Ventured

Hidden in Plain Sight

Turn a Blind Eye