‘You have a message,’ said the receptionist.
He unfolded the little slip of paper, and after reading it he said under his breath, ‘You’re good, choirboy. Very good.’
‘I beg your pardon?’ said the receptionist.
‘Can you tell me the time of the next flight to London?’
‘The first flight in the morning is at nine o’clock,’ she said, before glancing at her watch. ‘But if you were to hurry, sir, you might just catch the red-eye which leaves in a couple of hours.’
‘Please have my bill ready, and book me one business-class seat on that flight. I’ll also need a taxi to take me to the airport.’
Ross bounded up the stairs to the third floor, where he quickly opened his door and began throwing all his possessions into his suitcase, before he ran back down to reception and paid his bill. A porter put his bag into the boot of a waiting taxi, its engine turning over. The promise of a hundred-rand tip if he made it to the airport in time ensured that the driver ignored every speed limit. Ross was the last person to board the plane that night.
‘Will you be wanting dinner tonight, sir?’ asked the steward, once they’d taken off.
‘No, thank you,’ said Ross. ‘Just a pair of eyeshades.’
‘Of course, sir.’
As there wasn’t a Larry T. Holbrooke the Third seated next to him, Ross looked forward to a good night’s sleep. He should be back in time to have breakfast with Jimmy the dip at the Putney Bridge Café, before reporting to Chief Inspector Warwick at the Yard. He could only wonder how much the choirboy already knew.
CHAPTER 28
‘ARE YOU PC PLOD?’ ASKED Peter, when Juan came down for breakfast the following morning.
‘No,’ said Juan, taking a seat opposite the twins. ‘My youngest daughter tells me I’m not as clever as PC Plod, because I don’t solve every one of my cases immediately. She thinks I’m more like Inspector Watchit.’
Artemisia giggled, as Beth placed a plate of bacon and eggs in front of their guest.
‘My father will be jealous when I tell him what I had for breakfast this morning,’ said Juan, picking up his knife and fork.
‘Doesn’t your daddy have breakfast?’ asked Artemisia.
‘Don’t talk with your mouth full,’ said William.
‘Who stole the pearl necklace?’ asked Peter.
‘I don’t know,’ admitted Juan.
‘We’ll find out when Daddy gets back tonight and reads us the last chapter,’ said Artemisia.
‘If Daddy gets back tonight,’ said William as the phone in the hall began to ring.
‘Who can that possibly be at this time in the morning?’ said Beth.
‘Probably The Hawk,’ said William as he got up and headed for the door.
‘It’s PC Plod,’ whispered Juan.
‘I hope so,’ said Artemisia, ‘then he can help you solve—’
William closed the door behind him and picked up the phone on the hall table. ‘William Warwick.’
‘Good morning. Geoff Duffield from Heathrow security. DI Hogan flew in from Cape Town first thing this morning, and has just passed through passport control.’
‘Thank you, Geoff. At least that’s one of my problems dealt with. Thank you,’ he repeated before hanging up the phone and returning to the kitchen.
‘Have you met PC Plod?’ Peter was asking Juan.
‘No, but I’d like to, because your father and I could do with his help at the moment.’
‘That was him on the phone,’ said William, joining in the game. ‘He’s on his way to the Yard, so we’d better get going.’
‘Naughty Daddy. Grandpops says you must always finish your breakfast before going to work.’
‘I agree with your grandpops,’ said Juan, who continued to enjoy his eggs and bacon, as William gave in and sat back down.
‘I apologize,’ said Beth. ‘Artemisia tends to repeat the last thing she’s heard.’
‘No need to apologize,’ said Juan. ‘Don’t forget I have three daughters.’
‘And another on the way, William tells me.’
‘What can I possibly have done to deserve that?’ said Juan.
? ? ?
‘Good morning, Inspector,’ said Jimmy the dip. ‘Will you be joining me for breakfast?’
‘Haven’t the time,’ said Ross, staring enviously at Jimmy’s empty plate before it was whisked away. ‘But if you’re still hoping for the second two hundred, make sure you’re outside the Queen’s Theatre in Wardour Street at ten thirty tonight.’