Page 97 of Traitors Gate
‘Cabin crew, prepare for take-off.’
Harris turned to watch as the two flight attendants took their seats at the front of the aircraft and fastened their seatbelts. He looked back out of the cabin window to see the engines turning slowly, and then a little faster until the plane eased forward before gradually accelerating along the runway. Finally, the front wheels lifted off the ground and the plane took off.
Mr Robinson leant back and wanted to cheer.
3 MINUTES
Faulkner smiled when he heard a police siren in the distance. He remained standing outside the Sovereign’s Entrance, hoping the Hawk would appreciate the irony.
Three squad cars screeched to a halt and half a dozen uniformed officers leapt out and came charging towards him. Perfect timing, he thought as he pressed his stopwatch for the final time. He handed over the Tower of London shopping bag to the sergeant while a PC thrust his arms behind his back and handcuffed him. A third officer arrested and cautioned him, before he was frogmarched to a waiting car and bundled roughly onto the back seat.
The sergeant looked inside the shopping bag and couldn’t believe his luck. A broad grin appeared on his face.
‘Magnificent, isn’t it,’ said Miles.
‘Button your lip, Faulkner. You’re going straight back where you belong, and this time they’ll throw away the key.’
‘I don’t think so,’ said Miles as the officer continued to cling onto the bag as if he were a goalkeeper who’d just saved a penalty.
‘Call the Yard,’ he ordered his driver, ‘and get Commander Hawksby on the line.’
The Hawk listened carefully while an excited sergeant gave his report. When he came to the end, all the Hawk said was, ‘It’s all been too easy.’
60 SECONDS
Booth Watson picked up the private phone on his desk, not at all surprised to find who was on the other end of the line. After all, every prisoner is allowed to make one call.
‘It’s Miles Faulkner, BW. Just to let you know I’ve been arrested.’
‘For what offence?’ asked Booth Watson innocently, well aware that every word was being recorded and would be played back again and again, and later endlessly analysed by Commander Hawksby and his inner team.
‘Theft,’ replied Miles, sounding rather pleased with himself.
‘And what have you been accused of stealing?’
‘The 1937 Imperial State Crown along with the Sword of State from the Tower of London.’
‘Where are you now?’ asked Booth Watson.
‘In custody at Canon Row police station. I think they’re about to lock me up.’
‘And the crown and sword, dare I ask?’
‘They should both be on their way to Buckingham Palace by now.’
‘Then you can sleep easy. Because I’ll have you out first thing in the morning.’
‘But make sure it’s not before Her Majesty has delivered the Queen’s Speech to the House of Lords,’ Miles reminded him.
• • •
The team sat around the long table in the commander’s office and listened to the tape once again.
‘What’s he up to?’ said William.
‘What makes you think he’s up to anything?’ asked the Hawk.
‘The only words that matter on that tape arebut make sure it’s not before Her Majesty has delivered the Queen’s Speech to the House of Lords.’