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“Not least your triumph as a leading member of the Trojan Horse team,” suggested Grace. “And there are rumors you’re about to become the youngest inspector in the force.”
“It’s that so-called triumph that’s the cause of my current dilemma.”
“What do you mean?” said Grace.
“One of the senior officers involved in that operation turns out to be just as crooked as the criminals I’m trying to put behind bars.”
“I’ve given the problem a great deal of thought since we discussed it over the weekend,” said Julian, “and have reluctantly come to the conclusion that you’ll have to expose him.”
“I agree with you,” said William, “but I wouldn’t be surprised if he decided to brazen it out until he’s due to retire in eighteen months’ time.”
“Given the circumstances,” suggested Sir Julian, “the Hawk might consider it politic to move him to a less high-profile department before he retires.”
“Like burglary perhaps?” said William, which at least brought a smile to his father’s face.
“So, what do you plan to do instead?” asked Grace. “Because you’re still young enough to consider a new career.”
“I’ll do what Father always wanted me to do. Apply for a place at King’s College London to read law. Though the timing isn’t ideal…”
“Don’t worry about the money,” his father assured him.
“And once you’ve graduated,” said Grace, “you can join us in chambers.”
“Only if, like your sister, you’re awarded a first-class honors degree,” said Julian. “I don’t believe in nepotism, so there will be no ‘Bob’s your uncle’ in these chambers.”
“Remind me, Father,” said William, playing a game that had begun in the nursery.
“The saying derives from the days when Sir Robert Peel, later Lord Salisbury, was prime minister and put two of his nephews in the cabinet. Hence, Bob’s your uncle. But can you tell me which one of them went on to also become PM?”
“Sir Anthony Balfour,” said Grace.
“Correct,” said Julian. “But as you’re in a hurry to get back to the Yard, may I suggest that we discuss your future in greater detail when you and Beth join us for lunch on Sunday?”
“By which time I will have resigned,” said William, as he rose from his place.
“Then you’ll need to get your application into King’s College fairly quickly if you’re hoping to join the law faculty in September.”
“I’ve already filled in the application form,” said William. “All I need to do now is hand it in.”
“Would you like me to have a word with Ron Maudsley, who’s the law professor at King’s? We were contemporaries at Brasenose and—”
“If you do that, Father, I’ll
go to Battersea Polytechnic and take up basket-weaving.” He’d closed the door behind him before Julian had the chance to reply.
“How disappointing,” said Grace. “I agree with you, Father. He made the right choice in the first place.”
“But it’s not without a silver lining. He’ll make a fine barrister, and all that knowledge gained as a policeman will serve him in good stead whenever he comes up against a hardened criminal in the witness box.”
“Or a police officer for that matter. But I still think he should have remained in the force and gone on locking up criminals rather than joining us and trying to get them released.”
“Don’t ever tell him, but I agree with you, and will try and talk him out of it on Sunday.”
“It may be too late by then.”
* * *
Tim Knox picked up the phone.
