‘Yes, I’ve come up with one or two ideas. I’m now certain that ex-Superintendent Lamont is working as a consultant for both Booth Watson and Christina Faulkner.’

‘A servant of two masters,’ said William. ‘But on this occasion, it’s not a comedy.’

‘Jackie tells me she sees Lamont socially from time to time, and reports any information she picks up back to you.’

‘Along with stuffed brown envelopes she never opens.’

‘Remembering that money is now Lamont’s sole interest in life, I think I may have come up with a way of trapping both him and Booth Watson at the same time.’

William listened with interest to Ross’s ideas while throwing in the occasional question. He ended with, ‘I’m all for the idea, but we’d need to get The Hawk’s approval.’

‘I’ll leave that to you,’ said Ross, as he glanced over William’s shoulder and became distracted by a young woman standing at the bar. She was elegantly dressed, her white pleated skirt falling just below the knee, and her blouse buttoned at the neck. No jewellery and just a hint of make-up. So understated, yet so alluring. He couldn’t believe she was on her own. Their eyes met for a moment and she shyly turned away.

‘The Hawk hasn’t exactly given us the easiest of tasks,’ William was saying.

‘You should consider it a compliment,’ said Ross, as he tried to concentrate on William’s words, although his thoughts were elsewhere.

‘But if we don’t deliver, it won’t be long before we’re back investigating domestics, suicides and false confessions.’

Ross smiled before taking another sip of beer.

The woman returned his smile.

‘Let’s go and join the others,’ said William, as he picked up his glass.

Ross reluctantly followed his boss across to the far side of the room. By the time he sat down the woman was no longer looking in his direction.

He paid little attention to the team’s banter, making only the occasional bland comment. Jackie glanced across at the bar, and didn’t need to be told why Ross was so uncommunicative. It crossed her mind that the woman was a younger version of herself. Men!

‘We ought to get back to the Yard,’ said William, looking at his watch.

‘Must just go to the little boys’ room,’ said Ross. ‘I’ll catch you up.’

Once he was in the basement, he opened the lavatory door and grabbed a piece of toilet paper. He scribbled down his telephone number, folded the paper several times and hid it in the palm of his hand.

He walked quickly back upstairs, relieved to find the woman hadn’t left.

‘Hi,’ he said, as he brushed past her and left the little square of paper on the bar. Out on the street, he soon caught up with the others. Only Jackie noticed that he hadn’t been gone long enough to have a pee.

CHAPTER 12

BOOTH WATSON QUICKLY CLEARED CUSTOMS. He was carrying only a briefcase, as he planned on returning to London on the evening flight. Outside the airport he joined the short queue for a taxi and, when he reached the front, handed the driver an address.