Page 57 of Traitors Gate

‘Never in a hundred years,’ said William. ‘Ross isn’t that stupid. Even if he fancied the woman he would have waited until the trial was over.’

‘She’s also claiming they slept together the night before the jury reached its verdict, when he tried to influence her decision.’

‘I don’t believe it,’ said William.

‘I don’t want to believe it either,’ said the Hawk. ‘But, as we both know, it wouldn’t be the first time he’s stepped out of line.’

‘He may well have slept with her,’ said William, ‘but I can’t believe it was before the verdict had been reached. And there’s no way he’d ever try to influence a juror. I’d stake my reputation on that.’

‘So would I,’ said the Hawk. ‘But unfortunately, there’s enough circumstantial evidence, including a tape recording and photographs to support the allegation. CIB3 have yet to interview Ross, but if the woman sticks to her story, they’ll have no choice but to charge him. And if he’s found guilty, suspension will be the least of his problems.’

‘But he hasn’t even raised the subject with me.’

‘That’s because CIB3 haven’t contacted him yet, so we’ve got some time to decide what our tactics should be.’

‘Then the least I can do is warn Ross,’ said William.

It was some time before the Hawk responded. ‘Tread carefully, William. However, while he hasn’t been charged, I can see no harm in you alerting him as to what he might be up against. But I repeat, tread carefully.’

‘And if he’s charged?’

‘You must stand back, as you don’t need to be named as an accessory in a criminal case, which could end your career as well as his. I can just about afford to lose Ross, but I’m not willing to sacrifice you on the same altar while the commissioner is considering you as my successor.’

‘But he’s like a brother,’ protested William.

‘More like Cain than Abel, I fear.’

‘There must be something I can do to help,’ said William, unable to hide his frustration.

‘There is. If the case ends up in court, you could ask your father to represent him.’

• • •

Lamont called Miles at eight o’clock the following morning to let him know he’d found both the cars they were looking for, and they were identical to those used by the Lord Chamberlain and Warwick on their journey to the Tower the previous year. He couldn’t get himself to say Chief Superintendent Warwick.

‘Good start,’ said Miles. ‘Once you’ve picked them up, Harris and Collins will need to do several dry runs, half a dozen in fact, so they can familiarize themselves with all the possible routes.’

‘Is it too early to be thinking about the three police motorcycles?’

‘Yes, we won’t need them until the last moment. Don’t want to attract any unnecessary attention and cause someone to become suspicious.’

‘Understood,’ said Lamont.

‘Have you begun putting your team together?’ asked Miles, moving on.

‘Sure have. I caught up with Jerry Summers yesterday evening. We had a long chat in an empty tube carriage on the circle line. He’s on side.’

‘Summers? Remind me.’

‘He got four years for taking kickbacks from a local drugs boss in Romford. Warwick was the arresting officer despite the fact they were at police college together, so he’ll be only too happy to return the compliment. He also knows several other former officers who fall into the same category of having losttheir jobs, and would be grateful for some ready cash. But I’ll double-check each one of them before I sign anyone up.’

‘Triple-check,’ said Miles. ‘We can’t afford to have a weak link in the chain. Can I assume that Summers doesn’t know what we’re really up to?’

‘Not a clue. All he was interested in was how much he’ll be paid and when.’

‘Let’s keep it that way. The fewer people who know what the end game is the better.’

‘Agreed,’ said Lamont.

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