Page 13 of Next in Line

Booth Watson gathered up his papers and put them back in his Gladstone bag, feeling he’d achieved everything he could have hoped for. As he stood up, he said, ‘You are entitled to a private consultation with your legal representative once a week. May I suggest we meet every Friday morning at ten?’

‘Suits me,’ said Miles. ‘I’m not going anywhere for the foreseeable future.’

‘I’m rather hoping to remove the word “foreseeable” and replace it with “near”,’ said Booth Watson, ‘so that we can once again enjoy breakfast together at the Savoy.’

‘Amen to that,’ said Miles.

Booth Watson headed for the door. ‘Thank you, officer,’ he said, standing between them for a moment to allow Miles to pick up the Rolex watch and strap it on his wrist.

The guard accompanied prisoner 0249 back to his cell in A block, while Booth Watson went in the opposite direction and made his way to reception, feeling things couldn’t have worked out much better. However, he knew he would still have to keep a close eye on Christina, to make sure she kept her part of the bargain.

CHAPTER 6

‘I’VE NO IDEA WHERE WEare going,’ admitted William to a guard carrying the inevitable clipboard.

‘Then it must be your first visit, sir,’ responded the guard as he checked William’s warrant card, and placed a tick next to his name.

William nodded as he slipped the card back into his pocket.

‘If you continue on up the road, you’ll see a large white house on your right. I’ll call ahead, to warn them you’re on the way.’

‘Thank you,’ said William as the barrier rose, and Danny proceeded along a wide drive, never exceeding ten miles an hour. A speed he was unfamiliar with.

When the magnificent Wren mansion came into sight, Danny slowed down and circled a large rose garden before coming to a halt.

As if by magic, the front door opened just as William stepped out of the back of the car.

‘Good morning, Chief Inspector,’ said a man dressed in ashort black jacket, white shirt, grey tie and pinstriped trousers, with black shoes that shone like a guardsman’s. ‘Her Royal Highness is expecting you.’

William and Ross followed the butler into the house and up a wide sweeping staircase to the first floor. William was so nervous he didn’t even glance at the paintings that adorned the walls. And then he saw her, standing by the entrance to the drawing room.

‘How nice to see you again, William,’ the Princess said as William bowed. He was taken by surprise when she called him by his Christian name, although the protocol officer at Scotland Yard had told him she often did so to put her guests at ease. However, the PO had reminded him firmly never to become overfamiliar and to always address her as ‘Your Royal Highness’ or ‘ma’am’.

‘May I introduce Inspector Hogan, ma’am.’

‘We met at Scotland Yard, Inspector, but only briefly,’ said Diana, ‘when you accompanied my lady-in-waiting around the Black Museum. In fact, it was Victoria who suggested you might be suitable to take over as my personal protection officer.’

Ross didn’t comment as the butler reappeared, carrying a heavily laden tea tray, which he placed on the table in front of them. William admired the Herend porcelain tea set decorated with insects and flowers, knowing that Beth would expect him, like a good detective, to recall every detail.

‘Do sit down, both of you,’ said Diana. ‘I’ll be mother. China or Indian, Inspector?’

The protocol officer had mentioned how to bow – from the neck, not the waist, like a cabaret artist – but she hadn’t mentioned China or Indian.

‘Indian,’ said William, while Ross simply nodded.

‘I read your service record with interest, Inspector,’ Dianacontinued as she passed Ross a cup. ‘Two Queen’s Gallantry Medals and countless commendations. You sound like a cross between Sydney Carton and Raffles. Most impressive.’

‘More Raffles, ma’am,’ said William. ‘We spared you the three official reprimands, not to mention a temporary suspension.’ Diana laughed, while Ross remained silent. ‘DI Hogan is the still waters type, ma’am,’ added William, coming to his rescue.

‘That’s not what Victoria told me,’ said Diana, placing a slice of plum cake on a plate in front of Ross, who didn’t touch it. ‘I also read about you, William, and your remarkably swift rise through the ranks,’ she added as William picked up a pair of silver tongs and dropped a lump of sugar into his tea. ‘But after my brief encounter with Artemisia, that hardly comes as a surprise.’ She turned her attention back to Ross. ‘I understand you also have a daughter?’

Over the years William had witnessed Ross chat up several women he hadn’t even been introduced to, but this time he just sat there, bolt upright, his tea going cold and his cake still untouched.

‘What a magnificent Frith,’ said William, once again coming to Ross’s rescue as he looked at a painting on the wall above the fireplace.

‘Yes, one of my favourites,’ said Diana, without glancing around. ‘Ladies’ Day at Ascot. Not part of the royal collection,’ she whispered, ‘but a gift from my late grandfather. Do tell me, William, how is my new best friend, Artemisia?’

‘She tells everyone about meeting you, and the story becomes longer with each telling. She wanted me to let you know that she’s looking forward to seeing you again when you open the Frans Hals exhibition at the Fitzmolean. I fear she’ll be presenting you with another bunch of flowers.’

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