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‘Thank you, lieutenant’

‘Actually, sir, when I next call, I may well be a captain’

‘Congratulations,’ said Hawksby ‘You’ve certainly earned it’

William returned to his office and stared at the pile of case files on his desk that never seeh week ahead, but at least a quiet weekend to look forward to Just a doctor’s appointment for his annual check-up on Saturday, and lunch with his parents on Sunday Beth had pro her sick friend in ti, but he was disappointed that she still hadn’t met his family, because he felt he couldn’t propose to her before she did ‘Call

23

WILLIAM ARRIVED A few minutes early for his appointment at 31A Wimpole Street, and pressed the bell marked Dr Ashton He felt confident he would tick every box After all, he ran two or three tiularly, and his newfive miles a day had usually been achieved by the ti

‘All you’ll have to do, laddie,’ Lamont had told hih when he grabs your balls, and you’ll be clear for another year’

A buzzer sounded Williaave the receptionist his name

‘The doctor is with another patient at the moment, Mr Warwick, but he’ll see you shortly Please take a seat’

William sat down in an ancient leather chair and exa material neatly laid out on the coffee table Out-of-date copies of Punch and Country Life see rooe selection of the Metropolitan Police’s fortnightly newspaper, The Job

After he’d exhausted the wit and wisdom of Mr Punch and admired the photos of several country houses he would never be able to afford, Williaave in and turned to copies of the Met’s frayed newspapers He flicked through several editions, only stopping when he ca to the editorial, the heroism of the es; William offered up another silent prayer in Fred’s memory H

e was just about to put the copy back on the table when the front page headline from an earlier issue caused him to catch his breath: ‘RAINSFORD SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR MURDERING BUSINESS PARTNER Two Met officers praised for their handling of the case’

‘The doctor will see you now, Detective Constable Warwick,’ said the receptionist, before he’d had a chance to finish the article

As predicted by Lah Dr Ashton did check Williaht it was quite high for a e

After a page of little boxes had been filled in with ticks, Williaiven a clean bill of health ‘See you next year,’ said Ashton