‘You’re enjoying yourself, you hussy.’
‘Any more remarks like that, Detective Constable Warwick, and I might just forget what else my new friend Zac told me. Now, where was I before you interrupted me?’
‘It’s more complicated than that...’
‘Ah yes. “I’m not sure I know what you mean,” I said. “But if you can’t tell me, I quite understand.” He then admitted, “I shouldn’t be telling you this, but he’s in jail.”’
‘I adore you.’
‘Shh.’
‘What’s he in jail for?’
‘It seems he tried to sell a West End art dealer a long-lost Vermeer and got caught red-handed. “How?” I asked. Apparently he didn’t ask for enough money, which made the dealer suspicious, so he reported it to the police.’
‘What’s his name?’
‘I didn’t ask.’
‘Why not?’
‘Zac was beginning to sound suspicious, so I moved on to the Renoir, which is why it took so long to escape. In any case, it shouldn’t be too difficult for one of the nation’s leading detectives to track down someone who’s in jail for faking a Vermeer.’
‘True, but Zac still thinks you’re going to his opening on Wednesday?’
‘Sadly Barbara won’t be able to make it, or take up his kind offer to join him for the after-dinner party at the Mirabelle.’
‘But you gave him your number.’
‘01 730 1234.’
‘What’s that?’
‘Harrods Food Hall.’
‘I adore you.’
13
They didn’t sit down for breakfast on Sunday morning until just after ten.
Beth wanted to go for a run in Hyde Park, claiming she needed to lose a couple of pounds. William couldn’t work out from where, but he agreed to join her.
‘We won’t need lunch,’ he said as he buttered another slice of toast. ‘This counts as brunch. But I’ll have to call my mother and let her know I won’t be joining them.’
‘You could still make it if you left now,’ teased Beth.
William ignored her as he helped himself to a dollop of marmalade.
‘Jez and I usually go to the cinema on a Sunday evening,’ said Beth. ‘So we can be tucked up in bed at a sensible hour.’
‘Suits me. I’ve got a commander’s meeting first thing in the morning.’
‘Sounds impressive.’
‘He is impressive, and responsible for four departments. A and A is his favorite, although it’s the least important.’ William took a bite of toast before adding, ‘The team meet on the first Monday of every month to bring him up to date on the cases we’ve been investigating.’
‘Then you’ll have rather a lot to tell him, won’t you, Detective Constable Warwick?’
‘You can be sure that if our artist is banged up, the Hawk will know his name, which prison he’s in, and how long his sentence is.’
‘You’d like his job one day, wouldn’t you?’ said Beth, pouring herself another cup of coffee.
‘Yes, but I’m not in any hurry. How about you? Do you want Tim Knox’s job?’
‘I love what I’m doing, and am quite happy to stay put until I get a better offer.’
‘My bet is you’ll be director of the Tate before I sit in the commander’s chair.’
‘I can’t imagine the Tate will ever appoint a woman as its director.’
‘Even if she’d been captain of the school and captain of hockey?’
‘Who told you that?’
‘A policeman never reveals his sources.’
‘I’ll kill Jez.’
‘Pity. I rather like him.’
‘He’s the ideal flatmate,’ said Beth. ‘Clean, tidy, and considerate, and his rent helps to supplement the derisory salary the Fitzmolean pay me.’
‘I didn’t realize you owned the flat.’
‘I don’t. It belongs to my parents. Dad works for HSBC and he’s been posted to Hong Kong for the next three years. The moment they return, Jez will have to go and I’ll be moving back into his room.’
Or mine, William wanted to say.
‘You’d better call your mother while I do the washing up. The phone’s in the study.’
‘Once a head girl, always a head girl,’ said William as he left her and made his way to the study. He picked up the phone and dialed the first number he’d ever known. He was hoping his father would pick up the phone, but a female voice came on the line.
‘Nettleford 4163.’
‘Hi, Grace, it’s William. I won’t be able to make lunch today. Something’s come up. Would you apologize to Mum and Dad for me?’
‘Something or someone?’
‘It’s a work thing.’
‘You’re such a lousy liar, William. But I won’t say anything, even though I was hoping you’d be around today.’
‘Why, is there a problem?’
‘Dad will be meeting Clare for the first time, so I was relying on you for moral support.’
‘I’ve never really cared much for blood sports.’
‘Thanks a lot. Will you be around next week? I can’t wait to meet the girl who would go on a second date with you.’
‘And I can’t wait to meet the girl who would go on a second date with you.’
‘Touché. But I still wish you were here.’
‘You’ll be fine, Grace. Just remember, when Dad snorts, only hot air comes out, no flames.’
‘That’s easy for you to say from a safe distance.’
‘And in any case, you’ll have Mum on your side.’
‘Two against one will make it a close-run thing. Three might have tipped the balance in my favor.’
‘I’ll be there in spirit,’ said William, before he wished her luck and put the phone down. He was just about to leave the room when he spotted a row of postcards of the Hong Kong skyline displayed on the mantelpiece. The policeman in him wanted to look on the other side, but he resisted the temptation. He returned to the kitchen to find Beth doing the washing up.
‘Jez usually does the drying.’
‘Subtle,’ said William, picking up a tea towel. ‘When we’re finished, I’ll go home, put on a tracksuit, and join you in the park.’
‘No need. You’ll find everything you want in Jez’s room.’
‘I’ve always wondered what a ménage à trois would be like.’
A run in the park, followed by My Beautiful Laundrette, and then a Pizza Margherita — half each — before returning to Beth’s flat and disappearing under the blankets, to end an idyllic weekend.
When William woke the following morning, he had to untangle himself before he could check his watch.
‘Help!’ he said as he leaped out of bed and charged into the bathroom. This was one meeting he couldn’t afford to be late for. It would start at nine, with or without him.
Once he returned to the bedroom, he threw on his clothes and kissed a half-awake Beth.
‘Hoping to escape before I woke, were you?’
‘I have to go back to my place and get changed. I can’t afford to be late again.’
Beth sat up and stretched her arms. ‘Now you’ve had your way with me, Detective Constable Warwick, will I ever see you again?’ She sighed and draped a languishing arm across her forehead.
‘I could come back straight after work if that’s OK. In which case, I’d be with you around seven.’
‘Suits me, then we can all have supper together. Jez can do the cooking, and you can do the washing up.’
William sat on the bed and held her in his arms. ‘And what will you do?’
‘Read Proust.’
‘By the way,’ said William, as he rose to leave, ‘my sister can’t wait to meet you.’
‘Why?’
‘It’s quite complicated, but I’ll reveal all this evening.’
‘Make sure you find my painting, DC Warwick!’ were the last words William heard before he closed the bedroom door.