Page 81 of Traitors Gate

‘Jojo keeps me well-informed of what you two are up to. She listens to every word you say and picks up information you wouldn’t dream of revealing in front of a criminal and then discusses it with Artemisia before passing it on to me.’

‘I’ll have to be more careful in future,’ said Ross, ‘remembering just how bright Artemisia is.’

‘Not as bright as her brother,’ said Alice, ‘who doesn’t like to be second in any subject.’

‘I thought Arte was hoping to be head girl?’ said Ross.

‘She is, but that requires a different set of skills thatArtemisia has in abundance. Mind you, I’m not sure if St Luke’s is ready to appoint a girl as head prefect, but if anyone can make it happen, she will.’

‘Not unlike her mother.’

‘The ideal role model. But Beth must have played a skilful hand to become chair of the Fitzmolean, while so many men already had their feet on the same ladder.’

‘Not unlike you,’ said Ross, taking Alice by surprise.

‘I’m not sure I understand,’ she said, trying to look innocent. ‘I’m just a simple primary school teacher.’

‘Who’s recently been offered the chance to become a headmistress.’

‘How do you know that?’

‘You obviously don’t realize that Jojo is a double-agent and I’m her handler.’

‘What has she told you?’ asked Alice, putting down her knife and fork.

‘She said you’ve been offered the chance to become headmistress of a girls’ school in Doncaster. Not bad for one so—’ he hesitated ‘—young.’

‘I’m thirty-seven,’ came back Alice, ‘and perhaps I’m ready to move on.’

‘Jojo would miss you.’

‘Only Jojo?’

‘And Artemisia and Peter, both of whom you taught before they moved on.’

‘Anyone else?’

Ross tried to think of a suitable reply which wouldn’t get him into even more trouble. ‘What else did Mata Hari tell you?’ he asked, looking down at his untouched salad.

‘That if I didn’t go to Doncaster, she’d invite me to supperon a Thursday evening and share her pizza with me,’ mused Alice. ‘A different kind of second date.’

‘I can’t wait to introduce you to my mother,’ said Ross.

‘A Caribbean woman,’ queried Alice, ‘who isn’t a Roman Catholic?’

‘I’ll start by telling her about your Irish mother.’

‘Who is a Roman Catholic,’ said Alice.

BOOK III

‘Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.’

Confucius (circa 481BC)

CHAPTER 23

THE COMMANDER TOOK TWO DICEout of the bottom drawer of his desk and tossed them onto the table. He waited for them to settle before he said, ‘Snake eyes.’

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