Over My Dead Body by Jeffrey Archer

Author:Jeffrey Archer [Archer, Jeffrey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2021-07-26T12:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 17

‘THAT BRINGS US TO THE end of the tour,’ said the guide. ‘I hope you enjoyed it.’ A warm round of applause followed. ‘If you would like some mementoes of your visit, the shop on the ground floor is open, as is the café, should you require any refreshments. Do feel free to roam around the grounds, but please remember the gates will close at one p.m. today. Thank you.’

William and Ross followed the crowd out of the room, ignoring the shop and the café as they headed for the front door.

‘Keep moving,’ said William, as they strolled across a broad stretch of unmowed lawn towards a large clump of trees that overlooked the castle. ‘Observations?’ he asked, once they were safely out of earshot of any other visitors.

‘The Caravaggio’s still hanging above the fireplace in the dining room for all to see.’

‘What else did you notice about that room?’

‘A table had been laid for four. So they are clearly expecting Booth Watson for lunch,’ suggested Ross. ‘With or without his client.’

‘Security?’ said William, moving on.

‘Virtually non-existent. The smaller paintings are all screwed to the wall, and there’s only a rope barrier to prevent anyone getting too close to the pictures.’

‘Alarm system?’

‘Penfold, but years out of date.’

‘And what didn’t you see?’

‘Any security guards, which you’d find in every room if it were a public gallery and not a private house.’

‘Conclusion?’

‘His Lordship can only afford to employ the bare minimum of staff, which you can be sure Faulkner will clock,’ said Ross. ‘That’s assuming he turns up.’

‘That’s assuming he hasn’t already,’ said William. ‘Don’t forget the local police could only spare one constable to keep a lookout, 24/7.’

Ross didn’t comment.

‘However,’ continued William, ‘back to the dining room. What else did you notice?’

‘A minstrels’ gallery runs right around the upper level of the room.’

‘Access?’

‘A narrow spiral staircase leads up to it. The only security is a rope and a “No Entry” sign on the bottom step.’

‘Any other observations?’

‘There’s a large window directly opposite the Caravaggio that looks out onto the courtyard. You can probably see the front gate from up there.’

‘What else?’

Ross thought for a moment, but didn’t respond.

‘There’s a small Hamburg organ on the left-hand side of the minstrels’ gallery,’ said William. ‘Anyone hiding in the gallery wouldn’t be spotted from the dining room below.’

‘Is there room for both of us?’

‘No. Only a choirboy,’ said William, grinning. ‘In any case, if both of us went missing, it’s possible the guide would notice and come looking for us.’

‘He didn’t count us before he began the tour.’

‘Well spotted,’ said William, touching his forehead in mock salute. ‘Nevertheless, when the tour ends, I want you to come back here and brief our boys, who will be waiting in squad cars ready to move at a moment’s notice should Faulkner appear. Anything else the guide said that was particularly revealing?’

‘The gates of the grounds will be closed at one o’clock.’

‘Which suggests there’ll only be one more tour today. So let’s get moving, because we can’t afford to miss it.

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