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Mia safe. Evangeline in handcuffs. Claire was in handcuffs as well, but she was also in love and engaged to the man of her dreams. Maybe it hadn’t been such a bad day after all, she mused.
CHAPTER17
CLAIRE
Claire wondered where they were going when instead of turning on the road outside the estate toward the village they turned back toward the main highway.
“The task force is based in London; that’s where they’re going to do the interview,” said Fletch via the comm link. It was comforting to know that even if they weren’t in the same physical space, he could still reach out and touch her. “I’m going to get a little bit ahead of you so I can be there when they escort you into the building, but Baxter is in an SUV behind you. If anything goes wrong, he’ll be there.”
They pulled alongside Thames House, the home of MI5. She was helped out of the car and as promised, Fletch was standing beside a very distinguished-looking woman. The pair fell in behind those who escorted her into the building and to an interrogation room. Claire almost laughed. It looked like every interrogation room in every police procedural on television that she’d ever seen. The chairs looked more comfortable, but otherwise it was a table with a pair of chairs on either side. There was a mirror on one side wall that Claire suspected was a two-way mirror.
“Ms. Mitchell?” said the interrogator, which sounded like a dreadful way to refer to him as he seemed more like a kindly seasoned gentleman than someone who sought confessions from hardened criminals. But then again, she wasn’t much of a hardened criminal. He waved her into a chair Fletch was quick to pull out before seating himself.
“Charlie,” said the lady solicitor.
“Maggie. How are you?”
“I’m good. I believe you have an affidavit for my client to sign. We’d like to take her out the back when you’re done.”
“Of course,” Charlie said, handing over a copy each to Maggie, Fletch, and her.
“And the evidence retrieved by my client this morning?”
“It was included in the amended affidavit and is attached at the back along with the rest of the evidence.” Charlie turned to her. “By the way, Ms. Mitchell, bloody well done. We’ve been after these bastards for years. With what you’ve been able to give us, we should be putting them away for a long time.”
It was succinct and to the point. It laid out not only the original thefts as documented by her granda’s ledger, but the signed confessions of Sir Godfrey’s accomplices and her conversation with Evangeline in the stables.
“This looks to be in order,” said Maggie. “Fletch? Claire? Anything to add?”
“No, I think this covers it,” said Claire, “but I’m a little surprised there’s nothing in there about Mia and I walking away free and clear.”
Charlie chuckled. “Oh, it’s there in the language about special assistance from certain third parties—that would be you and your friend Mia. There is a separate agreement regarding that matter. I was just going to hand those over.”
Again, Charlie passed out copies to each of the other three people, who scanned everything.
“This, too, looks to be satisfactory. I take it Mia and her solicitor have seen it?” asked Maggie.
“Yes, ma’am,” replied Charlie.
“Then I say, let’s get these things signed and Fletch and Claire can leave us. We have taken precautions regarding Claire and Mia’s safety. If and when you need them to testify, we will, of course, make them available to you.”
“Very good,” said Charlie, standing and extending his hand first to Maggie, then to Fletch, and then to Claire. “You three have provided invaluable assistance. MI5 and Interpol are both deeply grateful.”
Fletch took her elbow and helped her to her feet.
“That’s it?” she said.
He nodded. “That’s it.” He leaned over and kissed Maggie’s cheek. “Thanks, Mags. I owe you one.”
Maggie laughed. “Just take it off my tab with you. Now, why don’t you take Claire back to the Savoy and take it easy. Claire? I wish we’d met under different circumstances, but I’m glad we met. You have no way of knowing this, but I met your grandfather when I was a little girl. He returned a pair of earrings that had belonged to my great grandmother. It was all we had left of the things that were taken from her. So, from my family to yours, I offer you my deepest gratitude. Your grandfather may not have done what was legal, but he did do what was right.”
Night had fallen by the time Fletch led her out to a waiting taxi which pulled away and drove them to the Savoy. Once inside the lobby, they were hailed by Baxter telling them supper had been served in one of the private dining rooms where everyone had gathered to celebrate.
Fletch, his team, Mia and Claire all enjoyed an evening of eating, drinking, and general merrymaking in the Gondoliers Room. Its painted decorative panels and delightful murals of Venetian life in the nineteenth century made it the perfect backdrop for those who were celebrating. It wasn’t as fancy as some of the other meeting/private dining venues in the Savoy, but it was Claire’s favorite.
The room was luxuriously appointed and inspired byThe Gondoliersopera, which opened in 1889 and was the first opera to premiere after the Savoy opened its doors, running for a record five hundred performances.
The food and drink were delicious and plentiful; the company and atmosphere celebratory and excellent. Finally, Fletch stood. “To the team, my deepest thanks for hanging in there with me and getting this done. You are all on a week’s paid vacation and will find a more lucrative form of my gratitude in your paychecks. Mia? I’m going to leave you in Carter’s capable hands. As for you,” he said, turning to Claire, “I have nefarious plans of my own for you.”
