Page 67 of Traitors Gate

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A general election is always a demanding time for any police protection officer because they have to let their ministers off the leash and allow them to visit marginal constituencies and help prospective candidates go in search of votes.

Cabinet ministers and shadow front bench ministers will walk slowly down an unfamiliar high street, listening intently to the views of the local people.

‘Of course, you’re right, sir,’ one will say.

‘I’ll bear that in mind, madam,’ another will promise.

‘I’ll pass your views on to the Prime Minister when I next see him,’ a third will offer. But they always end with the words, ‘I do hope I can count on your vote on …’ The date of the general election would be mentioned only if the minister concerned was confident the constituent was likely to support their candidate.

William decided to use the run-up to the election to watch his top ministerial protection officers in action. He began with the Leader of the Opposition, Tony Blair (what’s the first thing you’ll do if/when you become Prime Minister?). Jackie, who was covering the Home Secretary (several tough questions about immigration), followed by the Chancellor, Rebecca’s responsibility (Britain should never have joined the European Exchange Rate Mechanism), and ending on the most sensitive of all, the Northern Ireland Secretary, who rarely left the safety of his car.

His final brief was the Prime Minister, who could be found listening intently to the same sentiments being expressed again and again without ever sounding bored. John Major made several visits to marginal seats during the campaign, in the hope it would tip the balance in his party’s favour.

William remained quietly in the background, watching his officers going about their business. He regularly reportedback to the commander to let him know what a professional job they were doing, often under considerable pressure. He called home most nights to speak to Beth and the children, but didn’t admit to the Hawk that he was still in regular touch with Ross as the date of his trial, like that of the general election, drew inexorably closer. He was sure of one result, but not the other.

William often reflected that if Ross had remained Princess Diana’s protection officer, none of the problems he was now facing would have arisen. When he shared those thoughts with Beth, all she said was, ‘And if he had, he might be facing an even bigger problem.’

With just a couple of days to go before the general election, the Prime Minister returned to his constituency in Huntingdon, while Tony Blair travelled up to Durham.

When the sun rose on May 1st to allow the public to cast their votes, William had finally made up his mind which party he would support.

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By four o’clock the following morning, it was clear that New Labour had won by a landslide, sending the Tories into opposition for the first time in eighteen years.

Once Mr Blair had visited the Queen at Buckingham Palace and kissed hands, he announced from the steps of Number 10 that Her Majesty had agreed the Queen’s Speech would be delivered to the House of Lords on Wednesday 14th May, just as Booth Watson had predicted.

Artemisia and Peter began working on the final chapter of their essay on Colonel Blood, not allowing the election to interfere with their chances of winning the prize essay competition.

William returned to Scotland Yard having had – not unlike the public – more than enough of general elections. He was relieved there wouldn’t be another one for at least four years. He’d voted Labour.

Ross spent election day having a long consultation with Sir Julian Warwick in preparation for the opening day of his trial. He didn’t vote.

Miles held a team meeting on his yacht on the morning of the election to wrap up the finer details of Operation Queen’s Ransom. He’d voted Conservative.

Booth Watson became so involved in preparing his opening statement for the Crown v Hogan, he forgot to vote.

Miles Faulkner, Ross Hogan, William Warwick, Booth Watson and the twins were all expecting to win. But all of them had other things on their mind.

CHAPTER 21

THECENTRALCRIMINALCOURT, BETTERknown as the Old Bailey, resembles a theatre on the opening night.

Although the doors to its courts are not opened until thirty minutes before the curtain rises, business is already taking place backstage. The actors – the judge, barristers and solicitors – are all rehearsing their lines. The critics – the jury who have their own box in the front row – are waiting to consider their verdict on the play and the individual performances. The two leads – Inspector Ross Hogan and Mrs Kay Dawson – are standing in the wings and experiencing first-night nerves as one waits to enter the dock and the other the witness box. Both have everything to lose.

Already on stage is the clerk of the court. His job is to make sure all the props are in place before the curtain rises. Next to appear will be the court stenographer, who will record every word of proceedings of a yet unwritten script.

Once the doors are opened, members of the public will take their places in the dress circle overlooking the stage. Aswith any West End performance, it’s only ever packed for a hit.

They will be followed in the stalls by the press, who have reserved seats, usually unoccupied, but not on this occasion because the case offers their readers the ingredients they most enjoy over breakfast: sex, police corruption and money. The one great difference between the Old Bailey and the West End is that no one can be sure of the ending.

By 9.50 a.m. almost all the actors are in place except for the judge, the Honourable Mrs Justice Stephens. Meanwhile, Mr Booth Watson QC, representing the Crown, is going over his opening lines, while Sir Julian Warwick QC, for the defence, is chatting to his junior, Ms Grace Warwick, and their instructing solicitor, Ms Clare Sutton, none of whom will deliver a line until the curtain rises for the second act.

Inspector Hogan will be the next to appear, stage left. He will be accompanied by two security guards and take his place in the dock moments before proceedings begin.

When the clock strikes ten, Mrs Justice Stephens makes her entrance and everyone in the stalls rises. She bows and the compliment is returned before she takes her place centre stage, in a high-backed chair on a raised platform above them.

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