‘Neither will I,’ said William. ‘If I did, I’d lose my job.’

‘Should that happen,’ said Kinsella, taking a card from an inside pocket and presenting it to William, ‘please get in touch.’

‘Why would he want to do that?’ asked Beth, as she appeared by William’s side.

‘We’re most fortunate to have Ross joining us as the senior ground operative, Mrs Warwick,’ said Kinsella, ‘but it won’t be long before I’ll be looking for a new managing director to take my place. Frankly, I think your husband would be the ideal person to take the company on to its next stage.’

‘What can there possibly be beyond “Unbearable”?’

‘A salary of eighty thousand pounds a year, shares in the company and a percentage of the profits.’

‘And what makes you think I’d be the right man for the job?’ asked William. ‘After all, you’ve only known me for ten minutes.’

‘I know that you’re the youngest DCI in the Met’s history, and in Ross’s opinion you’re the finest officer he’s ever served under. Frankly, I’d made the decision even before I met you.’

‘Better not tell the commander,’ said Beth.

‘Better not tell me what?’ demanded The Hawk, as he walked across to join them.

‘Major Kinsella has just offered William a job,’ Beth answered with relish.

‘Over my dead body,’ said Hawksby.

‘Whatever it takes,’ said Kinsella, grinning.

‘And I’ll do whatever it takes to stop you,’ said The Hawk. ‘I have higher things planned for DCI Warwick, and they don’t include running a holiday camp. What’s more, I’ll happily murder anyone who gets in my way.’

‘Don’t the Gospels tell us that the thought of murder is every bit as bad as the deed,’ said Beth, trying to lighten the mood.

‘If that’s the case,’ said the commander, ‘I’ll have to ask our Lord to take about fifty other cases into consideration. And, frankly, you’re not even top of my current list,’ he said, glowering at the major.

William smiled, but then he knew exactly who was top of the commander’s current list.

‘And in any case,’ continued The Hawk, ‘I will also be retiring in the not-too-distant future, and someone’s going to have to take my place.’

This silenced even Beth, while William was distracted by a voice whispering in his ear, ‘Can I have a word with you before we leave for the airport?’

‘Of course,’ said William, leaving the commander to continue jousting with Major Kinsella.

‘Will I be back in time for the big one?’ asked Ross, once he was confident no one could overhear them.

‘I’ve delayed everything by a week to make sure you are. I don’t want to start this particular operation without you.’

‘How did the specialised movers feel about the Yard joining them for the trip?’

‘Not overjoyed, but they kept their counsel after The Hawk reminded them that most of their contracts have to be sanctioned by the government. They were still a bit bolshie for a few days, until the Home Secretary called their chairman. Not a long conversation, I’m told.’