The book came from Clifton Chronicles as mentioned therein, several times over several volumes, as series of books written by Harry Clifton, and one is a bit uncertain about reading a detective series by Jeffrey Archer, until one begins reading about a bright scion of a well to do family, with a barrister father, wanting to be a detective in service of law, even when he's picked up by Scotland Yard in Arts And Antiques Division - by unsolving a case in passing. It begins to be familiar territory then, and one recalls that one of the best works of Archer is A Matter Of Honour, with international and historical treaties, murders, crimes, suspense and thrill; still, one isn't yet quite into it - until, on William's last night as a constable, he's knifed in the chest, only to wake up and realise his partner was killed so close to retirement. Then one is hooked, and it's a pleasure, by and by.
Apart from, that is, the fact that his references to India or Indians remain derogatory, at best.
................................................................................................
"‘For the past seven years we’ve been trying to catch a thief who by any standards is a master criminal, and to date he’s been running rings around us. Miles Faulkner has developed an almost infallible system that allows him to steal major works of art and make a fortune without appearing to break the law.’ Several questions had already occurred to William, but he decided not to interrupt his new boss.
"‘First, you’ll need to realize, Bill—’
"‘William, sir.’
"Lamont frowned. ‘You’ll need to realize that if you’ve ever seen the film The Thomas Crown Affair, you should dismiss it for what it is. Pure fiction. Entertaining, I accept, but nevertheless, fiction. Miles Faulkner is no Steve McQueen. He doesn’t steal masterpieces for the sheer pleasure of it and then hide them in his basement where he alone can spend hours admiring them. That’s for filmgoers who want to enjoy a couple of hours imagining what it would be like to fool our colleagues in Boston, while sleeping with a beautiful woman who just happens to be the insurance broker working on the case. Although that’s the one person in the film who does bear some similarity to the real world: the insurance broker – except in our case he’s more likely to be a middle-aged, middle-management pen pusher who goes home at six every evening to his wife and two children. And more important, he won’t be in Faulkner’s league.’"
"‘But if Faulkner is the fence . . .’
"‘Faulkner, according to his tax return,’ said Lamont, ‘is a farmer. He lives in a nine-bedroom mansion in Hampshire surrounded by three hundred acres on which a few cows graze, but never go to market.’
"‘But presumably someone has to carry out the negotiations with the insurance companies?’
"‘Faulkner leaves that to another of his acolytes,’ said Lamont. ‘Mr Booth Watson QC. A barrister who always acts on behalf of an unnamed client. However hard we press him, he simply reminds us about lawyer–client confidentiality.’"
"‘But he still practises,’ said William.
"‘Yes, but he rarely appears in court nowadays,’ said Hawksby, ‘having discovered a way of charging exorbitant fees without ever having to leave his chambers. Whenever a major work of art is stolen, it’s no coincidence that the first call the insurance company makes is to Mr Booth Watson, who they ask to act as an intermediary. Surprise, surprise, the picture reappears a few days later in perfect condition, and the insurance company settles, often without even bothering to inform us.’"
................................................................................................
William returned the moon dust vial to the embassy at Grosvenor square after travelling to Manchester to get the release form for Sotheby signed by professor Talbot, who turned out to be another art connoisseur. He went to Mac is to ask if the department would buy his ticket to the exhibition.
"‘CAN I CLAIM five pounds on expenses to attend an art lecture at the Fitzmolean?’
"‘Is it directly connected to a crime you’re investigating?’ asked Mrs Walters. ‘Yes and no.’
"‘Make up your mind.’
"‘Yes, it is connected to a crime I’m investigating, but I must admit I would have gone anyway.’
"‘Then the answer is no. Anything else?’
"‘Can you get me a ticket for the opening night of the new James Bond film?’ William waited for the explosion.
"‘Is it directly connected to a crime you are working on?’
"‘Yes.’
"‘Which row would you like to sit in?’
"‘You’re joking?’
"‘I don’t joke, detective constable. Which row?’ ‘In the row behind Miles Faulkner. He’s—’
"‘We all know who Mr Faulkner is. I’ll see what I can do.’
"‘But how—’
"‘Don’t ask. And if you don’t have any more requests, move on.’"
"‘For the past seven years we’ve been trying to catch a thief who by any standards is a master criminal, and to date he’s been running rings around us. Miles Faulkner has developed an almost infallible system that allows him to steal major works of art and make a fortune without appearing to break the law.’ Several questions had already occurred to William, but he decided not to interrupt his new boss.
"‘First, you’ll need to realize, Bill—’
"‘William, sir.’
"Lamont frowned. ‘You’ll need to realize that if you’ve ever seen the film The Thomas Crown Affair, you should dismiss it for what it is. Pure fiction. Entertaining, I accept, but nevertheless, fiction. Miles Faulkner is no Steve McQueen. He doesn’t steal masterpieces for the sheer pleasure of it and then hide them in his basement where he alone can spend hours admiring them. That’s for filmgoers who want to enjoy a couple of hours imagining what it would be like to fool our colleagues in Boston, while sleeping with a beautiful woman who just happens to be the insurance broker working on the case. Although that’s the one person in the film who does bear some similarity to the real world: the insurance broker – except in our case he’s more likely to be a middle-aged, middle-management pen pusher who goes home at six every evening to his wife and two children. And more important, he won’t be in Faulkner’s league.’"
"‘But if Faulkner is the fence . . .’
"‘Faulkner, according to his tax return,’ said Lamont, ‘is a farmer. He lives in a nine-bedroom mansion in Hampshire surrounded by three hundred acres on which a few cows graze, but never go to market.’
"‘But presumably someone has to carry out the negotiations with the insurance companies?’
"‘Faulkner leaves that to another of his acolytes,’ said Lamont. ‘Mr Booth Watson QC. A barrister who always acts on behalf of an unnamed client. However hard we press him, he simply reminds us about lawyer–client confidentiality.’"
"‘But he still practises,’ said William.
"‘Yes, but he rarely appears in court nowadays,’ said Hawksby, ‘having discovered a way of charging exorbitant fees without ever having to leave his chambers. Whenever a major work of art is stolen, it’s no coincidence that the first call the insurance company makes is to Mr Booth Watson, who they ask to act as an intermediary. Surprise, surprise, the picture reappears a few days later in perfect condition, and the insurance company settles, often without even bothering to inform us.’"
................................................................................................
William returned the moon dust vial to the embassy at Grosvenor square after travelling to Manchester to get the release form for Sotheby signed by professor Talbot, who turned out to be another art connoisseur. He went to Mac is to ask if the department would buy his ticket to the exhibition.
"‘CAN I CLAIM five pounds on expenses to attend an art lecture at the Fitzmolean?’
"‘Is it directly connected to a crime you’re investigating?’ asked Mrs Walters. ‘Yes and no.’
"‘Make up your mind.’
"‘Yes, it is connected to a crime I’m investigating, but I must admit I would have gone anyway.’
"‘Then the answer is no. Anything else?’
"‘Can you get me a ticket for the opening night of the new James Bond film?’ William waited for the explosion.
"‘Is it directly connected to a crime you are working on?’
"‘Yes.’
"‘Which row would you like to sit in?’
"‘You’re joking?’
"‘I don’t joke, detective constable. Which row?’ ‘In the row behind Miles Faulkner. He’s—’
"‘We all know who Mr Faulkner is. I’ll see what I can do.’
"‘But how—’
"‘Don’t ask. And if you don’t have any more requests, move on.’"
................................................................................................
He went to attend the lecture at the European, which was cancelled, and stayed on for the tour due to the guide.
"‘Rembrandt was an ambitious man, and at one time the most sought-after artist of the Dutch Golden Age. Sadly, he lived beyond his means and ended up having to auction off most of his possessions, including several major canvases, in order to clear his debts. He only just avoided bankruptcy and ending his days in prison. After his death in 1669 he was buried in a pauper’s grave, and his work fell out of fashion for over a century. But Mrs van Haasen was in no doubt about his genius, and did much to revive his reputation as the greatest of the Dutch masters. Art connoisseurs would travel from all over the world to view The Syndics, which is considered to be one of his greatest works, and Mrs van Haasen never made a secret of the fact that it was her favourite painting in the collection.’"
"William decided not to ask his question until the rest of the group had departed.
"‘What a fantastic talk,’ he said.
"‘Thank you,’ said Beth. ‘Did you have a question?’
"‘Yes. Are you free for dinner?’
"She didn’t respond immediately, but eventually managed, ‘I’m afraid not. I already have a date.’
"William smiled. ‘Well, it’s been a memorable evening. Thank you, Beth.’
"As he turned to leave he heard a voice behind him say, ‘But I am free tomorrow night.’"
He went to attend the lecture at the European, which was cancelled, and stayed on for the tour due to the guide.
"‘Rembrandt was an ambitious man, and at one time the most sought-after artist of the Dutch Golden Age. Sadly, he lived beyond his means and ended up having to auction off most of his possessions, including several major canvases, in order to clear his debts. He only just avoided bankruptcy and ending his days in prison. After his death in 1669 he was buried in a pauper’s grave, and his work fell out of fashion for over a century. But Mrs van Haasen was in no doubt about his genius, and did much to revive his reputation as the greatest of the Dutch masters. Art connoisseurs would travel from all over the world to view The Syndics, which is considered to be one of his greatest works, and Mrs van Haasen never made a secret of the fact that it was her favourite painting in the collection.’"
"William decided not to ask his question until the rest of the group had departed.
"‘What a fantastic talk,’ he said.
"‘Thank you,’ said Beth. ‘Did you have a question?’
"‘Yes. Are you free for dinner?’
"She didn’t respond immediately, but eventually managed, ‘I’m afraid not. I already have a date.’
"William smiled. ‘Well, it’s been a memorable evening. Thank you, Beth.’
"As he turned to leave he heard a voice behind him say, ‘But I am free tomorrow night.’"
................................................................................................
At Scotland Yard his colleagues' welcome for him was a tad more sophisticated than the urgent prescription Lambeth sergeant had had him pick up.
"When William arrived at the office the following morning, he found a yellow Post-it note stuck to the top of his case files.
"URGENT – Call Liz, 01 735 3000.
"‘What’s this about?’ he asked Jackie.
"‘All I know is that the Hawk said it was urgent. You’re to record exactly what Liz has to say and send him a written report.’
"‘Will do,’ said William as he dialled the number. A moment later a woman’s voice came on the line.
"‘How can I help you?’
"‘This is Detective Constable Warwick calling from Scotland Yard. I’m returning Liz’s call.’
"‘Do you know Liz’s surname, or which department she works in?’
"‘No, just that it’s urgent I speak to her. She’s expecting my call.’
"‘This is the Buckingham Palace switchboard, sir. We only have one Liz, and I don’t think she’s available at the moment.’
"William turned bright red. ‘I’m so sorry,’ he said. ‘I must have got the wrong number.’ The moment he put the phone down, Jackie and DCI Lamont burst out laughing.
"‘I’m sure she’ll call back,’ said Jackie.
"‘And by the way,’ said Lamont, ‘the Hawk’s had a call from the American ambassador thanking us for returning the moon dust. Well done, laddie, now perhaps it’s time for you to sort out Winston Churchill.’"
At Scotland Yard his colleagues' welcome for him was a tad more sophisticated than the urgent prescription Lambeth sergeant had had him pick up.
"When William arrived at the office the following morning, he found a yellow Post-it note stuck to the top of his case files.
"URGENT – Call Liz, 01 735 3000.
"‘What’s this about?’ he asked Jackie.
"‘All I know is that the Hawk said it was urgent. You’re to record exactly what Liz has to say and send him a written report.’
"‘Will do,’ said William as he dialled the number. A moment later a woman’s voice came on the line.
"‘How can I help you?’
"‘This is Detective Constable Warwick calling from Scotland Yard. I’m returning Liz’s call.’
"‘Do you know Liz’s surname, or which department she works in?’
"‘No, just that it’s urgent I speak to her. She’s expecting my call.’
"‘This is the Buckingham Palace switchboard, sir. We only have one Liz, and I don’t think she’s available at the moment.’
"William turned bright red. ‘I’m so sorry,’ he said. ‘I must have got the wrong number.’ The moment he put the phone down, Jackie and DCI Lamont burst out laughing.
"‘I’m sure she’ll call back,’ said Jackie.
"‘And by the way,’ said Lamont, ‘the Hawk’s had a call from the American ambassador thanking us for returning the moon dust. Well done, laddie, now perhaps it’s time for you to sort out Winston Churchill.’"
................................................................................................
William spotted the book autographed and his house, and next morning went with a search warrant, finding plenty to arrest Cyril Amhurst for. The prison officer called with information about the silver engraver, but first he accompanied Beth to Notting Hill to see the fake gallery, where business was comparatively honest - the paintings upstairs had 'fake' printed in capital on back, removal of which was guaranteed to damage the painting. In the basement William found what he was looking for, and Beth got the proprietor to give some details about the painter. He was in jail because he tried to sell a fake Vermeer for too little and the gallery got suspicious!................................................................................................
William and Jackie travelled to Barnstaple to conduct surveillance on the silver buyer.
"He glanced to his left to see that she had fallen asleep. Always catch some kip whenever possible, wherever possible, she’d advised him often enough.
"Jackie hadn’t wanted to answer any more questions, so she closed her eyes. She had known within days of William joining the team that he was destined for higher things. Far higher than she could ever hope for.
"Reporting an inspector who’d placed a hand on her thigh when she was a young constable hadn’t improved her chances of promotion. And taking six months off after her daughter was born only ensured that when she returned to work she found herself once again back on the beat. It hadn’t deterred her.
"However, when Ms Roycroft was named as co-respondent in a senior officer’s divorce, the local commander suggested that perhaps the time had come for her to consider early retirement. She didn’t point out that she was only thirty-four, and had no intention of giving up the job she loved, well aware they couldn’t sack her. She clung on, but accepted that detective sergeant was probably the highest rank she was likely to attain.
"William was different. He may have been naive and a little too smooth, but after she’d introduced him to the real world, where criminals didn’t say please and thank you, she was sure he would progress quickly through the ranks. But she’d still have to watch his back whenever he came across less capable colleagues who would be only too happy to let him carry the can for their mistakes and, being a public schoolboy, he wouldn’t sneak.
"When William eventually became the commissioner, Jackie wondered if he would even remember her name."
William spotted the book autographed and his house, and next morning went with a search warrant, finding plenty to arrest Cyril Amhurst for. The prison officer called with information about the silver engraver, but first he accompanied Beth to Notting Hill to see the fake gallery, where business was comparatively honest - the paintings upstairs had 'fake' printed in capital on back, removal of which was guaranteed to damage the painting. In the basement William found what he was looking for, and Beth got the proprietor to give some details about the painter. He was in jail because he tried to sell a fake Vermeer for too little and the gallery got suspicious!................................................................................................
William and Jackie travelled to Barnstaple to conduct surveillance on the silver buyer.
"He glanced to his left to see that she had fallen asleep. Always catch some kip whenever possible, wherever possible, she’d advised him often enough.
"Jackie hadn’t wanted to answer any more questions, so she closed her eyes. She had known within days of William joining the team that he was destined for higher things. Far higher than she could ever hope for.
"Reporting an inspector who’d placed a hand on her thigh when she was a young constable hadn’t improved her chances of promotion. And taking six months off after her daughter was born only ensured that when she returned to work she found herself once again back on the beat. It hadn’t deterred her.
"However, when Ms Roycroft was named as co-respondent in a senior officer’s divorce, the local commander suggested that perhaps the time had come for her to consider early retirement. She didn’t point out that she was only thirty-four, and had no intention of giving up the job she loved, well aware they couldn’t sack her. She clung on, but accepted that detective sergeant was probably the highest rank she was likely to attain.
"William was different. He may have been naive and a little too smooth, but after she’d introduced him to the real world, where criminals didn’t say please and thank you, she was sure he would progress quickly through the ranks. But she’d still have to watch his back whenever he came across less capable colleagues who would be only too happy to let him carry the can for their mistakes and, being a public schoolboy, he wouldn’t sneak.
"When William eventually became the commissioner, Jackie wondered if he would even remember her name."
................................................................................................
William and Jackie surveilling proved fortuitous - william caught carter leaving with a bag, tailed him to Heathrow and after talking with Lamont, was put on the flight to Rome in a row behind him; in Rome he was cooperated with by Italian law, and they saw Carter apply for diving for sunken treasure of a shipwreck a couple of centuries ago. The photos William had taken of inside of Carter's she'd revealed evidence that he was duplicating the coins he'd claim to have found.
The artist Edward Leigh whom they visited in prison didn't speak, but was startled when William spoke with respect of his work, and even shook hands with him, which shocked Lamont. William proceeded to confirm that Leigh had been a top student at Spade, and Faulkner too had been a student there, which is how they'd met.
Grace defended the forger, and William was shredded on witness stand by his sister. Cyril Amhurst was declared guilty on one of three counts, with suspended sentence.
When William went to return the copy of Rembrandt at the Faulkner home, he was invited in by Mrs Faulkner, who informed him over coffee that she could never tell the difference between the two identical paintings, the other being in their Monte Carlo home. He reported back at Scotland Yard.
"‘William,’ said Hawksby once Lamont and Jackie had left, ‘I make a point of never involving myself in the private lives of my officers unless it’s likely to affect an ongoing inquiry.’
"William sat tensely on the edge of his seat.
"‘However, it has come to my attention that you have developed a friendship with a young woman who works at the Fitzmolean Museum, and is therefore an interested party in the missing Rembrandt case.’
"‘It’s more than a friendship, sir,’ admitted William. ‘I’m all but living with her.’
"‘All the more reason to be cautious. And what I’m about to say is an order, not a request. Do I make myself clear?’
"‘Yes, sir.’
"‘You will not, under any circumstances, reveal to anyone outside of this office that we might know where the missing Rembrandt is. In fact, it would be wise not to tell Miss Rainsford anything further concerning our investigation, and I mean anything.’
"‘I understand, sir.’
"‘I don’t have to remind you that as a police officer, you have signed the Official Secrets Act, and if you were responsible for undermining this, or any other operation you were involved in, you could find yourself in front of a disciplinary board, which would undoubtedly set your career back, if not derail it. Do you have any questions?’
"‘No, sir.’
"‘Then you will return to your unit and not discuss this conversation with anyone, even your colleagues. Is that clear?’
"‘Yes, sir.’"
He dreaded facing Beth.
"When Beth heard the front door open she immediately ran out of the kitchen and into the hallway.
"‘So how did your meeting with Mrs Faulkner go?’ she asked, before William had a chance to take his jacket off.
"‘I didn’t get past the front gates.’
"‘You’re a dear sweet man,’ she said, draping her arms around his neck, ‘but such an unconvincing liar.’
"‘No, it’s the truth,’ protested William. She stood back and looked at him more closely. ‘What have they told you about me?’ she asked, her tone suddenly changing.
"‘Nothing, I swear. Nothing.’ And then he recalled Hawksby’s words: You will not, under any circumstances . . . tell Miss Rainsford anything further concerning our investigation, and I mean anything. What circumstances? thought William. And then he remembered Jackie’s words when he’d bought Beth some flowers before going to Barnstaple: Rainsford? Why does that name ring a bell?"
William and Jackie surveilling proved fortuitous - william caught carter leaving with a bag, tailed him to Heathrow and after talking with Lamont, was put on the flight to Rome in a row behind him; in Rome he was cooperated with by Italian law, and they saw Carter apply for diving for sunken treasure of a shipwreck a couple of centuries ago. The photos William had taken of inside of Carter's she'd revealed evidence that he was duplicating the coins he'd claim to have found.
The artist Edward Leigh whom they visited in prison didn't speak, but was startled when William spoke with respect of his work, and even shook hands with him, which shocked Lamont. William proceeded to confirm that Leigh had been a top student at Spade, and Faulkner too had been a student there, which is how they'd met.
Grace defended the forger, and William was shredded on witness stand by his sister. Cyril Amhurst was declared guilty on one of three counts, with suspended sentence.
................................................................................................
When William went to return the copy of Rembrandt at the Faulkner home, he was invited in by Mrs Faulkner, who informed him over coffee that she could never tell the difference between the two identical paintings, the other being in their Monte Carlo home. He reported back at Scotland Yard.
"‘William,’ said Hawksby once Lamont and Jackie had left, ‘I make a point of never involving myself in the private lives of my officers unless it’s likely to affect an ongoing inquiry.’
"William sat tensely on the edge of his seat.
"‘However, it has come to my attention that you have developed a friendship with a young woman who works at the Fitzmolean Museum, and is therefore an interested party in the missing Rembrandt case.’
"‘It’s more than a friendship, sir,’ admitted William. ‘I’m all but living with her.’
"‘All the more reason to be cautious. And what I’m about to say is an order, not a request. Do I make myself clear?’
"‘Yes, sir.’
"‘You will not, under any circumstances, reveal to anyone outside of this office that we might know where the missing Rembrandt is. In fact, it would be wise not to tell Miss Rainsford anything further concerning our investigation, and I mean anything.’
"‘I understand, sir.’
"‘I don’t have to remind you that as a police officer, you have signed the Official Secrets Act, and if you were responsible for undermining this, or any other operation you were involved in, you could find yourself in front of a disciplinary board, which would undoubtedly set your career back, if not derail it. Do you have any questions?’
"‘No, sir.’
"‘Then you will return to your unit and not discuss this conversation with anyone, even your colleagues. Is that clear?’
"‘Yes, sir.’"
He dreaded facing Beth.
"When Beth heard the front door open she immediately ran out of the kitchen and into the hallway.
"‘So how did your meeting with Mrs Faulkner go?’ she asked, before William had a chance to take his jacket off.
"‘I didn’t get past the front gates.’
"‘You’re a dear sweet man,’ she said, draping her arms around his neck, ‘but such an unconvincing liar.’
"‘No, it’s the truth,’ protested William. She stood back and looked at him more closely. ‘What have they told you about me?’ she asked, her tone suddenly changing.
"‘Nothing, I swear. Nothing.’ And then he recalled Hawksby’s words: You will not, under any circumstances . . . tell Miss Rainsford anything further concerning our investigation, and I mean anything. What circumstances? thought William. And then he remembered Jackie’s words when he’d bought Beth some flowers before going to Barnstaple: Rainsford? Why does that name ring a bell?"
................................................................................................
They were alerted about Carter leaving for Rome, and two operations were simultaneously taking off: William went with Hawksby to Rome, while Lamont and Jackie went to catch Faulkner's thieves in act of stealing a Picasso.
The Picasso was a ruse, and the theft occurred a few miles away.
Monti, the Italian police contact assisting them, had only submitted one coin after the charade of discovery of treasure was completed. They were expecting a call, but instead got news that Carter was back. When they called Monti, they were told he'd taken retirement and was in Sicily, and the coin had been genuine, so Carter was getting his fifty percent.
"THE PRESS HAD a field day. A murder appeal at the Old Bailey and the return of a stolen national treasure both in the same week. Fleet Street couldn’t decide which story to lead with on that Monday morning."
Julian and Grace Warwick fought successfully to free Beth's father who'd been wrongly convicted of murder. Faulkner was given a suspended sentence because he donated a Rubens to Fitzmolean, which he told William was fake.
They were alerted about Carter leaving for Rome, and two operations were simultaneously taking off: William went with Hawksby to Rome, while Lamont and Jackie went to catch Faulkner's thieves in act of stealing a Picasso.
The Picasso was a ruse, and the theft occurred a few miles away.
Monti, the Italian police contact assisting them, had only submitted one coin after the charade of discovery of treasure was completed. They were expecting a call, but instead got news that Carter was back. When they called Monti, they were told he'd taken retirement and was in Sicily, and the coin had been genuine, so Carter was getting his fifty percent.
"THE PRESS HAD a field day. A murder appeal at the Old Bailey and the return of a stolen national treasure both in the same week. Fleet Street couldn’t decide which story to lead with on that Monday morning."
Julian and Grace Warwick fought successfully to free Beth's father who'd been wrongly convicted of murder. Faulkner was given a suspended sentence because he donated a Rubens to Fitzmolean, which he told William was fake.
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November 30, 2019 - March 22, 2020 - March 27, 2020.
ISBN 978-1-5098-5131-7
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November 30, 2019 - March 22, 2020 - March 27, 2020.
ISBN 978-1-5098-5131-7
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