Ross made his way back to the copse, from which he had a clear view of both the castle’s front door and the gates that led out onto the road. He pulled his radio out of an inside pocket and pressed the green button.

‘DCI Warwick is still in the house. I’m outside stationed in the grounds about seventy yards from the front door. If Faulkner appears, I’ll let you know immediately.’

‘Understood,’ said a voice that came crackling down the line. ‘If we see a car approaching the castle, you’ll be the first to hear.’

‘All received,’ said Ross, and placed the radio back in his pocket.

• • •

William peered through the large window and watched the remaining members of the tour group as they drifted towards the visitors’ car park. When he heard footsteps in the dining room below he edged even further into the gap between the organ and the wall, tucking his knees up under his chin.

Two waitresses were chatting as they added the final touches to the place settings. They stopped talking when somebody else entered the room and a voice boomed, ‘I don’t have to remind you both how important his Lordship considers this meeting. We must all be on our toes. Is that understood?’

‘Yes, sir,’ piped up two voices in unison.

• • •

Ross watched as the gates closed the moment the last tourist had departed. Well, not quite the last. He glanced up at the large window on the first floor and wondered how William was getting on. If a car didn’t appear in the next few minutes, how long would they have to hang about before he accepted it had been another wasted journey? Although he had no idea how William planned to get out of the castle, one thing was certain: the boss would have worked that out.

Ross’s radio crackled into life, and he heard a broad Glaswegian accent on the other end of the line. ‘A chauffeur-driven car is heading towards the castle, two passengers sitting in the back. They should be with you in about three minutes.’

‘Message received.’

William stared out of the window to see the front gate edge slowly open. A moment later a BMW entered the grounds and headed towards the castle. He lost sight of the car long before it reached the front door, but Ross still had a clear view as the BMW came to a halt in the driveway. The chauffeur leapt out and opened the back door. Two figures appeared: a smartly dressed woman who headed straight for the door, followed by a man wearing a long black overcoat and carrying a briefcase.

They were greeted on the steps by his Lordship, who was dressed in a lovat green jacket, a kilt of the McLaren family tartan, heavy brown woollen socks and what his mother would have called sensible shoes. Standing by his side was an older woman who Ross thought he recognized. The front door closed and they all disappeared inside.