Page 95 of End Game
‘I also wonder,’ said the Hawk, once William had finished his summing up, ‘if I’m every bit as much in the dark as the Home Secretary.’
William should have seen that coming.
‘I am, of course, aware,’ he continued, ‘that a lone pilot in a light aircraft was arrested for violating air space and, after spending the night in jail, was later released without charge. I’ve even been told about the drunk who slept throughout the entire ceremony, and only woke when the Grenadier Guards—’
‘The Royal Marines, sir,’ said Paul, immediately regretting the intervention.
‘When the Royal Marines played “Jerusalem”.’ The Hawk paused and looked slowly around the table. ‘What I can’t be sure about, but perhaps one of you could enlighten me, is why the lady who collapsed during the firework display and was driven off in an ambulance doesn’t appear on any hospital records and, what’s more, hasn’t been seen or heard of since?’
‘She died before she reached the hospital,’ said William, without further explanation.
‘A sentence that covers a multitude of sins, Commander, but it doesn’t answer my question.’
‘What I can tell you, sir,’ said William, ‘is that no one has claimed the body.’
‘How convenient,’ said the Hawk.
William didn’t offer an opinion.
‘I also found it rather strange,’ continued the Hawk, ‘that last night there were two empty boxes near the Royal Box – one that should have been occupied by the Russian Ambassador and his guests, and the other by the Chinese Ambassador.’ The Hawk looked around the table, to be greeted with ‘not me guv’ looks. ‘It wasn’t until this morning, when I received a phone call from no less a figure than Sir Julian Warwick QC,’ continued the Hawk, ‘that one half of the mystery was resolved. He informed me that the CPS will be dropping all charges against Miles Faulkner for his ticket scam, even though he managed to pocket a small fortune, and was as guilty as sin.’
Silence prevailed.
‘There has to be a simple explanation,’ continued the Hawk, looking directly at William, who – like a practised criminal – had taken counsel’s advice and remained silent.
‘And finally, I’m bound to ask, why is Inspector Hogan not among us today?’
‘Inspector Hogan is in hospital,’ said William, ‘although he’s due to be discharged later this afternoon. I’ve told him to take the rest of the week off.’
‘By which time, I suspect, you are hoping I will have forgotten what my next question was going to be.’
‘It might also be wise,’ William said, glancing at Rebecca and Paul and then back at the Hawk, ‘to let Sinclair know he can now close his investigation into Jackie’s death, as the killer is no longer at large.’
‘A very clever non sequitur, Commander. May I suggestyou all now return to your duties,’ he paused, ‘with the exception of Commander Warwick.’
While Paul and Rebecca left, William remained seated and thought about the events of the past few hours and how much he could tell the Hawk. When he’d arrived back in his old office earlier that morning, his first call had been to the Chinese Embassy to inform them of the death of Sun Anqi. The Deputy Ambassador claimed he’d never heard the name, and whoever this Sun Anqi might be, she certainly wasn’t a member of the Chinese Olympic squad who, incidentally, would be flying home later that morning.
When William had then asked to be put through to the Ambassador, he was informed that Mr Wei Ming had been called back to Beijing at short notice, and his replacement had not yet been announced.
William’s next call was to the unregistered hospital, and was told they had no record of a Ms Sun Anqi on their files. William didn’t press the senior staff member for further information, aware none would be forthcoming. Only a handful of people knew as much as William did, and for their own reasons would be taking the secret to their graves. One of them quite literally.
But in his opinion, there was no need for the Hawk to be among them.
‘What exactly happened last night?’ the Assistant Commissioner asked once they were alone.
William paused. ‘Do you know, I read Queen’s regulations before I came to work this morning, sir.’
‘Unputdownable,’ said the Hawk. ‘But what has that got to do with last night, Commander, dare I ask?’
‘My attention was caught by regulation 1062,’ said William.
‘Enlighten me.’
‘If the Assistant Commissioner learns of anything that might endanger public safety, it is his duty to inform the Commissioner immediately.’
‘Rightly so,’ said the Hawk.
‘The regulation goes on to say that the Commissioner must then inform the Home Secretary of said danger, who should in turn brief the Prime Minister.’
