Page 94 of Traitors Gate

‘Crown roast,’ she replied.

11 MINUTES

Chris Robinson resisted the urge to look back as he climbed the aircraft steps. Well, not more than once.

Once on board, he quickly located his seat and fastened his seatbelt. He checked his watch: forty-nine minutes had already passed since he left the Tower. Would the next person to get on the plane be a police officer, checking every passenger against a recent photograph?

‘This is your captain speaking. I’m sorry that we’re running a few minutes late, but as we’ll have a following wind, we can expect to make up the time before we land in Brussels.’

To hell with the following wind, thought Harris, just get moving.

‘As soon as everyone’s on board, we’ll be taking off.’

Chris Robinson may have boarded the plane, but would Phil Harris be leaving by the same door, accompanied by the police officer, even before the plane took off?

9 MINUTES

As Lamont poured himself a whisky – one that even a Scot would have considered stiff – his wife noticed his hand was trembling. She didn’t comment. Though as each minute passed, he felt more confident. He wondered if Faulkner had already been arrested, or was he standing outside the Palace of Westminster waiting to be caught red-handed? His thoughts were interrupted by his wife.

‘Are we still going on holiday tomorrow?’ Jenny asked as she removed the bottle of whisky from the table.

‘Let’s hope so,’ he responded as if in another world.

‘It’s just that I’ve already started packing and even booked our flights.’

‘Business class?’

‘Yes, as well as a four-star hotel,’ she said as a siren could be heard in the distance.

9 MINUTES

Miles crossed the road and began to walk slowly along a crowded pavement towards the Palace of Westminster. He passed the House of Commons and the statue of Oliver Cromwell, but didn’t stop until he’d reached the Sovereign’s Entrance to the House of Lords. He stood there, waiting patiently for the first copper to appear. He wondered how long it would be before they spotted him and demanded to see what was in his Tower of London shopping bag. He once again checked his stopwatch. Nine minutes of the golden hour still to go.

8 MINUTES

Lamont opened the front door to find Inspector Adaja and Sergeant Roycroft standing on the doorstep.

‘Good morning, Paul,’ he said, feigning surprise. ‘To what do I owe this pleasure?’

‘May we come inside, sir?’ asked Paul formally.

‘Of course,’ said Lamont, who stood aside to allow them to enter. ‘Let’s go into the front room,’ he suggested as his wife came bustling out of the kitchen.

‘You know Jenny, of course. Paul and Jackie have just dropped round for a chat. Could you rustle up some coffee?’

‘Not for me, thank you, Mrs Lamont,’ said Paul.

‘Nor me,’ said Jackie.

‘In fact,’ said Paul, ‘we would like to have a word with you later, Mrs Lamont, once we’ve finished questioning your husband.’ She retreated back into the kitchen.

‘That didn’t sound very friendly,’ said Lamont as he led them into the front room and offered them a seat.

‘I won’t bother cautioning you, sir,’ said Paul who remained standing, ‘but we are here to question you on a matter of national importance.’

The same surprised look returned to Lamont’s face as he took the seat opposite them. Paul assumed Lamont would have anticipated every one of his questions and would have well-prepared answers.

‘Let me begin by asking you where you were at eight thirty this morning?’

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