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“The Three Feathers pub in Battersea.”
Tulip’s third mistake.
A grin crossed William’s face as he made his way back into the station. But it soon disappeared when he saw the desk sergeant devouring the evidence.
“What are you up to?” he asked in disbelief.
“Removing any damning evidence we found in the shopping bag,” said the sergeant. “Care for a slice?”
* * *
“I wonder if I might seek your advice on a private matter, Sir Julian,” said Beth, as they sat in the corner of the drawing room after lunch.
“I do wish you wouldn’t call me Sir Julian, my dear. It makes me feel so old. But how can I help?”
“Some of my colleagues at the Fitzmolean feel our director Tim Knox should be awarded a knighthood, but we have no idea how to go about it. After all, we’ve been voted Museum of the Year for the past two years, ahead of the Tate and the National Gallery, and both of their directors have been honored. I thought as you had a knighthood, you might be able to point me in the right direction.”
“Don’t tell anyone what you’re up to, would be my first piece of advice, because if it were to leak out, his rivals might try to scupper the whole idea.”
“Tim’s such a decent and kind man, I can’t believe he has any rivals.”
“Anyone who’s hoping to be knighted has rivals, not least those who think they’re more deserving of an honor than him. But on a more practical level, you’ll need a sponsor, preferably someone whose reputation is like Caesar’s wife, beyond reproach. Who is the gallery’s chairman?”
“Lord Kilholme.”
“Fine fellow,” said Sir Julian. “A former cabinet minister whose reputation has grown since leaving office, and that’s a rare thing.” He paused while his wife handed them both a coffee. “However, Kilholme will still need several letters of support from leading figures in the art world, and not all from the same political party. But Kilholme is an old pro, so he’ll know exactly how to go about it.”
“And surely he’ll also know who sits on the honors committee?” said Beth.
“No one knows who sits on the committee. If people did, imagine the pressure they’d come under. It’s a more closely guarded secret than the contents of the next budget. They’re simply referred to as the great and the good.”
“How interesting,” said Beth. “Is that how you got your knighthood?”
“Certainly not, I was simply born in the right cot. I succeeded my father, who succeeded his father, who switched parties when Lloyd George became prime minister.”
Beth laughed. “Does that mean that one day William will be Sir William?”
“And you will be Lady Warwick, which—”
“What are you two whispering about?” asked William, as he walked across to join them.
“The arrangements for our wedding,” said Beth.
“You’d make a rather good member of the honors committee,” whispered Sir Julian.
* * *
“Care for a slice of Black Forest gâteau, superintendent?” asked Commander Hawksby.
“Don’t mind if I do,” said Lamont.
“How about you, DC Roycroft?”
“Always been one of my favorites,” said Jackie, as the commander cut her a thick wedge.
“Have to make sure we destroy all the evidence,” said the Hawk, after handing Paul a second slice, “because I hear Tulip is considering suing the Met for wrongful arrest, using unnecessary force while dealing with a law-abiding citizen, and racial prejudice.”
“Pity it wasn’t me who arrested him,” said Paul. “Then at least he would have had to drop one of the charges.”
