‘Not an Act the South Africans are all that familiar with,’ he said. ‘Especially when even the judges can be bought.’
‘Maybe he’ll think again, once Booth Watson tells him we’ve reopened the file on his wife’s murder,’ suggested Paul.
‘I doubt it,’ said The Hawk. ‘Pugh’s a gambler. He’ll weigh up the amount of money he stands to gain against his chances of being caught, and back himself against the South African police.’
‘It’s too bad we can’t afford to send you to the Cape for Christmas, Jackie,’ said William, ‘so you could brief us on what he’s up to at our next meeting.’
‘Where’s DC Pankhurst?’ asked the commander, pushing Jackie’s file to one side. ‘I was looking forward to finding out how she’s been getting on with her nightclub bouncer.’
‘She’s on leave, sir,’ said William.
‘With the bouncer?’ asked the commander.
‘No, sir. A certain Captain Archibald Harcourt-Byrne.’
‘Who’s he?’
‘He’s an officer in the Grenadier Guards,’ chipped in Jackie. ‘She doesn’t talk about him much, so I suspect it’s quite serious.’
‘I hope we’re not going to lose her,’ said The Hawk, his tone changing. ‘She’s a damn fine officer, with a promising career ahead of her.’
‘I agree,’ said William, ‘but DC Pankhurst is every bit as independent as her suffragette ancestor, and I’m sure she’s well capable of handling a Guards Officer while she continues to lock up miscreants on the side. So let’s allow her to enjoy a well-earned holiday while we all get back to work.’
? ? ?
‘Hurry up, old thing, or we might miss our flight,’ said Archie.
‘Relax. We’ve got more than enough time,’ said Rebecca calmly.
‘You’re right,’ said Archie, taking her hand. ‘What’s our gate number?’
‘Sixty-three.’
‘Why is my plane always parked at the other end of the airport?’ grumbled Archie.
‘And whenever I get back home,’ chipped in Rebecca, ‘I’m always stuck behind four hundred passengers who’ve just got off a jumbo jet. But I don’t care. I’ve been looking forward to this holiday. It will be my first real break in heaven knows how long.’
As they passed the departure lounge for Gate 49, she spotted him seated in the far corner reading The Times. Rebecca took a second look to confirm she wasn’t mistaken.
‘I have to go to the loo,’ she said, letting go of Archie’s hand. ‘You go ahead. I’ll join you in a few minutes.’
As soon as Archie was out of sight she headed for the nearest phone. Would he still be at the commander’s meeting, or back at his desk?
‘DCI Warwick,’ said his voice, just when she’d almost given up hope.
‘Good morning, sir. It’s Rebecca.’
‘I thought you were meant to be on holiday.’
‘I am, but I thought you’d want to know that I’ve just spotted Booth Watson waiting to board a plane.’
‘He’s allowed to take a holiday too.’
‘Dressed in a three-piece suit and carrying a briefcase?’
‘Where’s he going?’
‘Barcelona.’
‘Then so are you, constable. Call me the moment you land. By then I’ll have worked out what your next move should be.’
‘Can I remind you, sir, that I’m on holiday?’
‘Were on holiday, DC Pankhurst. You’re about to discover where Miles Faulkner is holed up.’
‘But I …’
‘No buts, constable. We may not get another opportunity like this.’
William put down the phone and dialled the commander’s office, while Rebecca poured forth a stream of invective her mother would not have approved of. She walked quickly back to Gate 49, to see that the first-class passengers were already boarding the plane. She checked her watch; not enough time to return to the BA desk and exchange her ticket. She slipped into WHSmiths and waited until Booth Watson had presented his boarding pass and disappeared down the corridor that led to the waiting aircraft. She was hoping that Archie would come back looking for her, so she could explain what had happened. He didn’t. She waited until the last few passengers were being cleared for boarding before she approached the check-in desk, where she took out her warrant card and showed it to the flight attendant.