Nothing Ventured by Jeffrey Archer

Author:Jeffrey Archer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: St. Martin's Publishing Group

* * *

William reluctantly left Limpton Hall, but not before repeating the word “idiot” several more times before he reached the motorway.

On his arrival back at the Yard, he parked the van, returned the keys, and went straight up to the office. He found Lamont and Jackie poring over a map covered in little red flags, as they put the finishing touches to Operation Blue Period, which he knew was planned for the following evening. They both looked up as he entered the room.

“Did you get past the front gates?” asked Lamont.

“I not only got past the front gates, I can tell you where the Rembrandt is.”

The little red flags were abandoned while Lamont and Jackie listened to William’s report. After he had fully briefed them—well, almost fully—all Lamont had to say was, “We should inform the commander immediately.”

As William and Jackie assumed he wasn’t using the royal “We,” they followed him out of the room and down the corridor to Hawksby’s office.

“Angela, I need to see the commander urgently,” Lamont told Hawksby’s secretary as he entered the room.

“Chief Inspector Mullins is with him at the moment,” she said, “but I don’t expect them to be too much longer.”

“Mullins?” whispered William to Jackie.

“Drugs. Pray you don’t get transferred to his section. Few survive, and the ones that do are never the same again.”

After a few more minutes the door opened and the chief inspector came out, accompanied by Commander Hawksby.

“Good morning, Bruce,” said Mullins, not breaking his stride as he left the room.

“I hope you have some good news for me,” said Hawksby. “Because so far, it’s been one lousy day.”

“A possible breakthrough in the missing Rembrandt case, sir.”

“Then you’d better come in.”

Once they had all settled around the table in Hawksby’s office, William went over his meeting with Mrs. Faulkner in great detail. He was surprised by the Hawk’s immediate response.

“I don’t think that ‘we have one just like it in our drawing room in Monte Carlo. In fact I can never tell the difference between the two’ was a slip of the tongue. I think Mrs. Faulkner knew exactly what she was telling the young detective she’d invited to join her for coffee.”

“I agree,” said Lamont. “And coupled with that, she asked for the name of a private detective who can be trusted. It’s no wonder the gates were opened.”

“So what’s she up to?” asked William.

“At the risk of stating the obvious,” said Jackie, “it’s my bet she needs a private detective because she’s planning to divorce her husband, and getting her hands on a large settlement won’t be enough. She’s looking for revenge, and what better way than telling us where the Rembrandt is?”

“That’s a risky game she’s playing,” said Hawksby, “considering who she’s up against.”

“She’s had seven years to think about it,” said William.

“It still may not be enough,” said Lamont.

“Got anyone in mind for the job, Bruce?” said Hawksby.

“Mike Harrison would be my first choice. Capable, reliable, and trustworthy. And if she gives him the job, we’d have someone on the inside.

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