Page 62 of Traitors Gate

‘What’s happened to Blood’s wife?’ asked Beth. ‘Wasn’t she invited to supper?’

Peter and Artemisia looked at each other and spoke as one, ‘Don’t know, Mum.’

‘What we do know,’ countered Artemisia, ‘was that Blood promised Mr Edwards that he would bring his nephew to the Tower on the morning of the ninth of May 1671, so they could both sign the marriage contract.

‘And that’s as far as we’ve got,’ said Artemisia. ‘But we’re off to see Colonel Blood before we begin the next chapter.’

‘And Guy Fawkes,’ added Peter.

‘In a play or a film?’ asked Ross.

‘Neither,’ responded Peter. ‘They’re both on display at Madame Tussauds, which we’re visiting on a school trip next month.’

‘But I’m not allowed to go,’ said Jojo, ‘unless accompanied by a parent.’

‘Which day next month?’ asked William, checking his diary.

‘Wednesday May fourteenth.’

‘I’m afraid I’ve got a board meeting that day,’ said Beth, ‘which I can’t get out of. So one of you will have to accompany the children.’

‘We’ll have to hope that’s not the day of the Queen’s Speech,’ replied William. ‘I don’t think Her Majesty would be amused if I failed to turn up for work because my daughter wanted me to visit Madame Tussauds.’

‘Then it has to be you, Daddy,’ said Jojo, turning to her father. ‘Please say yes!’

William glanced across at his friend, well aware that by May 14th Ross’s case could have already opened, and if theverdict didn’t go in his favour he wouldn’t be taking Jojo anywhere. Both of them knew it could only be a matter of time before he had to let his daughter know … He waited for Beth to go upstairs and put the children to bed before he decided to confront the elephant in the room. He’d already discussed the problem with the Hawk, who’d recommended that such a sensitive subject should be discussed only in the privacy of William’s home and not back at the Yard where even the walls had ears.

William had gone over the questions endlessly, even the order he would take them in, while accepting that Ross would almost certainly take him by surprise.

• • •

Once Beth had taken the children up to bed, William poured his friend a large glass of Jameson’s and handed it to him as he sat down. William took a deep breath before delivering his first well-prepared sentence.

‘We have to talk about your future at some point,’ he said, ‘and assume the worst.’

‘Spell it out,’ said Ross as he took a large gulp of whisky.

William stood up and began pacing around the room before he stopped in front of him. ‘If you’re found guilty of trying to influence a juror, you could be sent down for two years, possibly longer as a serving police officer.’

‘But I’m innocent,’ protested Ross, ‘as you well know, and surely any jury—’

‘Will go on the evidence presented to them in court, which is looking pretty bleak at the moment, so for Jojo’s sake, if for no other reason, perhaps it’s time for you to consider every eventuality.’

Ross remained silent for some time before he responded. ‘I know there’s still some time to go before the trial, but don’t think I haven’t given it a lot of thought. I’ve already made out a standing order for Jojo’s school fees, as well as a monthly payment to Beth which should be more than enough to cover any extra costs.’

‘So you have given it some thought,’ said William, sounding relieved.

Ross looked up at his friend, put down his whisky and admitted, ‘Little else for the past month.’

William hesitated again before he ventured, ‘Have you also decided if Jojo will be allowed to visit you in prison?’

‘Never,’ said Ross firmly. ‘I don’t want her to see her father in jail surrounded by a bunch of criminals, some of whom are there because of me and will be only too happy to taunt the poor girl given the slightest opportunity. I don’t want that to be the abiding image of her father that remains in her mind. Never,’ Ross repeated.

‘But she could be a young woman by the time you come out,’ said William.

‘So be it,’ said Ross with a finality that brooked no discussion.

‘Does that also apply to me and Beth?’

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