Page 84 of Traitors Gate

‘Number one, sir.’

‘I look forward to meeting you, Chief Superintendent.’

William replaced the receiver. In the unlikely event of someone overhearing the call, he had given nothing away. Despite this, he realized he couldn’t afford to relax until the Imperial State Crown and the Sword of State had been delivered safely to the palace.

• • •

The Resident Governor of the Tower put down his morning paper as his wife entered the drawing room.

‘Just off to take the children to school,’ she announced. ‘What’s the password?’

‘Colonel Blood,’ replied the Governor.

‘I’m glad to see someone’s got a sense of humour,’ his wife replied before going off in search of the children.

• • •

‘Good morning, Mario, I’d like to book my usual table for lunch tomorrow.’

‘Of course, Mr Faulkner,’ Mario replied, before placing an entry in his appointments book. ‘For two?’

‘Yes, just me and Mr Booth Watson. Would you place a bottle of champagne on ice half an hour before we arrive?’

‘Of course, sir,’ Mario replied.

Miles turned to leave, hesitated for a moment, checked his watch and said, ‘What time do you make it?’

‘Twenty-two minutes past eight,’ said Mario.

‘As I thought, my watch is running a couple of minutes late.’ He pretended to adjust it before leaving. On his way out of the hotel he said good morning to the manager and told the doorman he wouldn’t be needing a taxi. He beganto walk slowly along the Strand as he made his way towards Westminster, his alibi now firmly established.

• • •

Lamont pressed the green button on his third phone before it had a chance to ring a second time.

‘They’ve just passed the Playhouse Theatre and are turning left onto the Embankment, so it can’t be route four,’ said yet another anonymous voice. ‘I’ve informed the group leader that it has to be one or five, and he’s already moving any surplus bodies to both those locations.’ The phone went dead just as another began to ring.

‘The new number plates are on their way. Should be with you in about five minutes.’

‘Make it three and you’ll get a bonus,’ promised Lamont as the Lord Chamberlain’s car came to a halt at the traffic lights outside Somerset House.

• • •

Paul watched as a young woman pushing a stroller crossed the road, followed moments later by a blind man with a guide dog. Paul could have sworn he’d seen the man somewhere before but couldn’t place him. William became distracted by three taxis that slipped out of a side road and joined the traffic in front of the Lord Chamberlain’s car. The light turned green, but one of them pulled over to pick up a passenger so they were held up once again. William considered telling Danny to use the bus lane and then he remembered the commander’s advice. Never use the bus lane unless it’s an emergency. It only attracts unnecessary attention.

Three taxis couldn’t be described as an emergency, and he wasn’t worried about the occasional hold-up on the way to the Tower. It was on the way back to the palace with the crown and sword on board when any hold-up would set alarm bells ringing.

No sooner were they on the move again than the second taxi slowed down at the next roundabout and made no attempt to slip into the oncoming stream of traffic until the road was clear. William accepted they were going to be a few minutes late, but his orders were clear: never call the Governor a second time, unless it’s an emergency.

• • •

The Governor’s wife came to a halt at the West Gate and waited for the barrier to rise. The helpful young woman who’d recently joined the ticketing staff walked across and tapped politely on the window.

‘Just checking you know the password, ma’am.’

‘Colonel Blood,’ said one of the children from the back seat.

‘Correct!’ said the young woman, who until that moment had no idea what the password was, and was relieved she hadn’t had to move on to Plan B. As the Governor’s wife drove out of the Tower, she made her way to the nearest bathroom. Thirty seconds laterCOLONEL BLOODflashed up on the screen of Lamont’s second mobile. He immediately got out of the Land Rover, walked quickly across to the Jag and informed Harris, who was seated behind the wheel waiting impatiently for the off.

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