Archer, Jeffrey - Hidden in Plain Sight

‘This is the last call for BA flight 012 to Rio de Janeiro. Will all remaining passengers please make their way to gate twenty-seven, as the plane is about to depart.’

‘—that no one other than the lab liaison sergeant and the FME are allowed anywhere near the body. And one more thing—’

‘You’re leaving me in charge?’ said the officer.

‘Yes, but not for long,’ said William, as the sound of blaring sirens grew louder and louder. ‘There’s someone I have to question before her plane takes off.’ Without another word he began running towards the escalator, taking the steps two at a time.

The officer at passport control looked up in alarm at the blood-stained, breathless man who’d jumped the queue. He was about to press the panic button below the counter when William produced his warrant card, shouting, ‘Rio?’

‘The gate’s about to close, sergeant,’ he said. ‘I’ll call ahead and warn them you’re on your way. I hope you catch the bastard.’

William took off once again. Two ground staff were waiting for him by gate twenty-seven, and after a cursory check of his warrant card he was ushered down the walkway and onto the waiting aircraft, where he joined the last of the passengers looking for their seats. He checked the seat number on Adrian’s boarding pass, before making his way down the aisle searching for a woman he’d never met. He came to a halt when he saw Maria Ruiz clutching on to a briefcase, anxiously searching for a different face.

William changed his mind. He turned around, walked back along the aisle to the exit, thanked the stewardess and returned to the terminal.

BA flight 012 to Rio de Janeiro took off on time, although one of the passengers was a no-show.

‘That was the Director of Public Prosecutions,’ said Sir Julian, putting the phone down.

‘It’s not hard to guess what they’ll be recommending,’ said Grace.

‘Following Heath’s evidence this morning, they’re advising me to contact Booth Watson and try to make a deal.’

‘I know exactly what two words I’d say to that suggestion if I was BW,’ said Grace, ‘and one of them would have four letters. What sort of deal did the DPP have in mind?’

‘We agree to drop the charge of intent to supply, in exchange for Faulkner pleading guilty to possession. He’ll have to pay a heavy fine, but will only be given a two-year suspended sentence. However, typical of the DPP, they say they’ll leave the final decision to us.’

‘That’s why they’re known as the Department of Pontius Pilate,’ remarked Grace. ‘So Faulkner will get away with it yet again. If he goes on like this, he’ll be on suspended sentences for the rest of his life, and never see the inside of a prison cell.’

‘What would you do, Grace, if you were my leader on this case, and I were your junior?’

Grace was taken aback for a moment, as her father had never before sought her advice on such a major call. She thought about his question for some time, because although she was flattered, the look on his face left her in no doubt that he was waiting to hear her opinion before he came to a decision.

‘I wouldn’t let Faulkner off the hook quite that easily,’ she said. ‘He still has to explain away the twelve grams of cocaine that the police found in his home, and even if he could convince the jury that he didn’t know how it got there, he won’t find it easy to account for the twenty-pound note, which William’s convinced is the one question he won’t be able to answer.’

‘I agree with William. But we’ll still need Faulkner to give evidence before we can raise the subject of the twenty-pound note. If I was representing him, I’d advise him strongly against going anywhere near the witness box. That will leave us with the task of having to prove him guilty beyond reasonable doubt, which will be all but impossible after Heath’s evidence this morning.’

‘Then we’ll have to try and appeal to Faulkner’s vanity,’ said Grace, ‘and make it impossible for him to resist taking us on.’

‘And how do you propose to do that?’ asked Sir Julian.

‘By replacing the opening batsman,’ said Grace, as the phone on his desk began to ring.

He picked it up and listened to the caller for some time before he said, ‘Yes, I can see how that changes the situation, Desmond. Thank you for keeping me informed.’

‘What changes the situation?’ asked Grace, after he’d put the phone down.

‘Adrian Heath’s dead.’

‘The other side have made us an offer,’ said Booth Watson.

‘After Heath’s evidence this morning, that’s hardly surprising,’ said Faulkner. ‘But you may as well tell me what it is before I dismiss the offer out of hand.’

‘They’ll drop the charge of intent to supply, if you’ll plead guilty to possession.’

‘What will the damage be?’

‘A million-pound fine, and a two-year suspended sentence.’

‘That might be tempting if I didn’t think the jury is going to find me not guilty on both charges.’

‘Possibly,’ said Booth Watson, ‘but why take the risk?’

‘Because the odds are now heavily stacked in my favour, so you can tell Sir Julian Warwick QC to get lost.’

‘I’d advise against that, Miles, especially as I won’t be putting you on the stand.’

‘Why not? I’ve got nothing to hide.’

‘Except twelve grams of cocaine.’

‘Which you can tell them Lamont planted.’

‘You know that’s not going to wash, and the jury won’t fall for it either. Lamont is a long-serving police officer with an unblemished record, and in my experience, juries tend to like the plain-speaking Scotsman, which is why I don’t intend to cross-examine him.’

‘But you will after you’ve read this,’ said Faulkner, handing his silk a thick brown envelope.

Booth Watson took his time reading its contents before asking, ‘How did you get hold of this?’

‘It’s all a matter of public record,’ said Faulkner, ‘if you know where to look.’

‘Am I to understand, Sir Julian, that you wish to make a statement on behalf of the Crown?’ enquired Mr Justice Baverstock.

‘That is correct, m’lud. With your permission, the Crown will be dropping the first charge on the indictment, namely intent to supply. However, we still intend to proceed with the second charge, that of possession of a controlled substance, namely twelve grams of cocaine.’

The judge raised an eyebrow, as he had been privy to the advice the DPP had given Sir Julian to drop both charges and beat an expeditious retreat. He was surprised that such a normally cautious man would ignore such sage opinion.

‘So be it, Sir Julian. Then you may call your next witness.’

‘I call Detective Superintendent Lamont.’

The first thing William did on arriving back at the Yard later that evening, was to ask the commander if there was any news about Paul.

‘It’s not good, I’m afraid,’ said Hawksby. ‘He had a collision with another motorbike on his way back from the airport, and both of them ended up in hospital.’ William looked anxious. ‘But Paul got off pretty lightly, just a few cuts and bruises, and he should be discharged in a couple of days. Tulip unfortunately broke a leg, and won’t be leaving the hospital for some time.’ The flicker of a smile appeared on the commander’s face.

‘Has he been arrested for Heath’s murder?’

‘Yes. The murder squad took care of that, and they’ll post a guard outside his room night and day.’

‘Then I’ll complete my report, and leave it on Superintendent Lamont’s desk before I leave tonight.’

‘Good,’ said the Hawk. ‘Bruce was sorry that he couldn’t help you out, but at short notice he was asked to give evidence at Faulkner’s trial.’