Page 64 (1/2)

Willia so much he spilt some coffee on the carpet ‘I’m so sorry,’ he said ‘How clumsy of me’

‘Don’t worry, Mr Warwick, it’s not important’

If you only kne i with the implications of what she’d just revealed

‘Can I teive me a chance to show you the rest of the collection’

‘That’s kind of you, butback’

‘Another time, perhaps’

William nodded nervously, as Mrs Faulkner acco by the front door

‘It was nice to meet you, Mr Warwick,’ she said as they shook hands

‘You too, Mrs Faulkner,’ said Willia him closely

Williaet back to the Yard and let the team know that Mrs Faulkner had accidentally let slip that the original of The Syndics was hanging in Faulkner’s villa in Monte Carlo He could already see Beth ju up and doith joy when he told her the news But as the gates closed behind him, he put his head in his hands and shouted, ‘You’re an idiot!’ Why hadn’t he accepted her invitation to lunch? He could have seen the entire collection and possibly identified other paintings that were unaccounted for

‘Idiot!’ he repeated even louder Perhaps he wouldn’t mention the missed opportunity to Lamont when he wrote his report

Willia 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 Las, as they put the finishing touches to Operation Blue Period, which he kneas 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’