Page 112 of Traitors Gate

‘I already have,’ said Ross.

‘How can you possibly have known what took place inside the Jewel House when you weren’t even there?’

‘Three clues, Chief Superintendent,’ replied Ross. ‘I don’t think the Crown Jeweller would have left quite so quickly if the crown hadn’t been back in place. He might just have hung around and demanded an explanation.’

‘Circumstantial at best.’

‘Possibly,’ said Ross, ‘but the resigned looks on the faces of the two hacks who followed him out a few moments later rather confirmed my suspicions.’

‘Hardly conclusive,’ suggested William.

‘My dear Watson,’ said Ross as if he were playing a violin, ‘they would have both been on their phones and running ifthey’d nailed their lead front page exclusive. In any case, there was a final clue that would have convinced any jury.’

‘Namely?’ said William, who stopped in his tracks and turned to face his friend who had clearly decided to keep him in suspense for a few more moments. ‘Get on with it!’

‘The next person who came out of the Jewel House looked rather pleased with himself.’

‘Guilty,’ admitted William. ‘But I still have to call the commander and ask him to arrange for Faulkner to be released from solitary.’

‘Why would you want to do that?’ asked Ross.

‘Elementary, my dear Hogan,’ said William as they headed for the Governor’s residence. ‘But I’ll let you think about it for a few moments while I have a quick word with the Hawk, because he won’t need to be told why.’

• • •

No one was more surprised than Miles when a senior prison officer unlocked his cell door and told him he was being released from solitary.

‘Why?’ Miles asked suspiciously as he followed the PO out into the corridor.

‘Don’t ask me,’ said the PO as he led the prisoner down a long dark corridor back to his cell on the first floor. ‘Way above my pay grade.’

‘I need to make a call to my lawyer,’ said Miles, blinking as he stepped back into the daylight.

‘Can’t stop you doin’ that, Mr Faulkner. But don’t forget, only one call per day is permitted and they’ll cut you off after three minutes.’

It wouldn’t take three minutes for BW to confirm he’dbriefed the editor of theDaily Mailto let him know the Imperial State Crown hadn’t been returned to the Tower of London following the State Opening of Parliament. However, when he appeared in court tomorrow morning, he would finally reveal where they could find it – for an entrance fee of five pounds. Miles had a feeling he would be playing to a packed house.

‘And don’t forget, Mr Faulkner,’ said the PO, lowering his voice. ‘Everything you say is being recorded.’

‘Couldn’t ask for more,’ said Miles as he headed for the phone booth, assuming Commander Hawksby and his team would be listening to every word.

• • •

Booth Watson picked up the phone, knowing exactly who would be on the other end of the line, because only one other person had that number.

‘I’m out of solitary, BW, and presumably I have you to thank for that?’ were Miles’s opening words as he didn’t have a moment to spare.

‘I’d like to take the credit,’ said Booth Watson, ‘but no, I suspect it was Warwick who arranged that.’

‘But why when I’m about to cause him so much grief?’

‘Possibly because the Imperial State Crown is back in the Tower, as the public will discover when they open for business in the morning.’

‘How can that be possible when no one else knows where it is?’

‘The simple answer, Miles, is, once again, you underestimated your favourite Chief Superintendent.’

‘But when I appear in court tomorrow, how will Warwickexplain that I’ve been charged with stealing the Imperial State Crown?’

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