Page 103 of End Game
William thanked him, but before he rose to leave, he warned Collins not to be surprised if Booth Watson was his next visitor.
‘Don’t worry, I’ll be waiting for him,’ said Collins, as he accompanied the Commander back to the front door.
William thanked him once again, before he jogged down the steps and got back into his car. He was just about to call the Hawk, when a taxi drew up outside number 37.
He watched as Booth Watson climbed out and paid the cabbie before making his way up the steps to the front door.
He knocked firmly and waited, but it was some time before the door was opened.
Booth Watson gave Collins a warm smile and was about to step inside when it was slammed in his face.
•••
Rebecca waited at the Departure Terminal for the passenger to appear.
When he arrived, he made his way straight to security, where he showed his boarding pass before passing through the barrier.
Once he was out of sight, Rebecca joined the queue. She produced her warrant card, skipped security, and followed him through duty-free, while keeping her distance.
The passenger checked the departures board before proceeding to Gate 43, where he took a seat and waited for his flight to be called. Rebecca took a place three rows behind him.
A few minutes later, the attendant on the departures desk announced, ‘Aeroflot Flight 025 to Moscow is now ready for boarding. Will all first-class ticket holders and priority boarding please come forward?’
He didn’t move and neither did Rebecca.
The next call was for business class, but he remained in his seat, which surprised Rebecca. In fact, he didn’t join the queue for boarding until economy class was called, when he finally joined the back of the queue.
Rebecca watched as he made his way over to the departure desk, where once again he presented his boarding pass and passport for inspection, before proceeding down a long corridor and disappearing out of sight.
Rebecca didn’t follow him this time, but then she was no more than an observer, who had been ordered to report back what she’d witnessed, but not quite yet.
She got up and strolled across to a nearby window, which gave her a clear sighting of the waiting plane. Rebecca watched as the few remaining first-class passengers began to board, and didn’t stray while she waited for him to reappear. She didn’t have long to wait before he walked out onto the tarmac, climbed the steps and boarded the aircraft. Rebecca hung around until she saw the heavy aircraft door slam shut, and still didn’t move when the aircraft taxied out onto the runway and took its place in the long queue for take-off.
She watched as the Aeroflot jet accelerated down the runway, took off and finally disappeared through a bank of clouds. Then she dialled a number on her mobile, which was answered immediately.
‘His plane took off a few moments ago,’ said Rebecca, ‘but I still don’t understand why you didn’t allow me to arrest him, charge him and bring him back to stand trial.’
‘That wasn’t my decision,’ said William, ‘and while I might agree with you, the mandarins in Whitehall clearly have their own agenda. However, I can tell you that on arrival in Moscow, Mr Petrov will not be going home, but will be accompanied onto a domestic flight that’s destined for Irkutsk in Siberia, which I can assure you is not a tourist hotspot.’
•••
‘Do you usually come dressed in such a casual manner, Hogan, when being interviewed by a senior officer?’ asked Sinclair.
‘I was about to set off for the airport when you called, sir,’ retorted Ross. ‘I’m meant to be catching a plane to Dublin.’ He sat down in the chair opposite the head of the murder squad, without being invited to do so. Ross had memorizedand rehearsed his story, but he knew he had to tread carefully to ensure Rebecca’s unblemished record remained uncompromised. ‘I hope this won’t take too long,’ said Ross, ‘as my mother was taken into hospital last night.’
Sinclair was momentarily taken aback, but quickly recovered. ‘May I ask what your mother is suffering from?’
‘She had a stroke during the night,’ replied Ross.
‘And of course,’ said Sinclair, returning to the attack, ‘I will be able to confirm that with the hospital?’
‘In my experience, Commander,’ said Ross, ‘hospitals have strict rules about patient confidentiality, and will only speak to relatives or close family members. But you’re welcome to give St Vincent’s a call.’
A flicker of embarrassment crossed Sinclair’s face, but not for long.
‘You’ll be well aware, Hogan, that I’m investigating a very sensitive matter, and it is my responsibility, however unpalatable, to make sure that a senior officer – in this case you – was not involved in a serious crime. A man was murdered last night at the Olympic Stadium, while you were on duty.’
Ross remained silent.
