‘We’ll succeed,’ Wendy said. The others acknowledged with nods of their heads.
***
Gladys Lake woke early. Today was a big day for her, and she was excited. Her approach to the welfare of the mentally ill was to be commended for its record of success. She had been allocated forty minutes for the presentation; she could have done with sixty, but there were other speakers, and the organising committee had been adamant about her allocated time.
A shower, then breakfast in her room, a concession she had been forced to make after Charlotte Hamilton had been seen close by. She would have preferred the restaurant downstairs with its greater choice of food, but even she could see that it was possibly dangerous to be so exposed, especially after it had been discovered that Charlotte had spent two nights in the same hotel as her. After she had been spotted nearby, Sean and Sara had conducted a check of the hotel’s records and discovered the room that Charlotte had been using, along with eight thousand pounds and some clothes.
After breakfast, Dr Lake checked her presentation and went through it one more time. Satisfied that it was in order, she lay down on her bed again. She fell asleep until the phone rang. Oh, what fun, I slit his throat. Who will be next? Will it be you?’
Gladys Lake slammed down the phone and screamed for help. The two police officers stationed outside her door came rushing in.
‘What is it?’ the more senior of the two asked.
‘She’s been on the phone.’
Sean O’Riordan arrived first. He had been at the hotel since early morning and was just eating breakfast when the phone call came through from Sara Marshall. She was on her way, due in twenty minutes.
She phoned Isaac. ‘Charlotte’s called Dr Lake.’
‘Trace on the phone?’
‘Not sure yet. It looks like she used a public phone.’
‘Anyway, we need it located.’
Sara arrived at the hotel to find Gladys Lake calm but still upset.
‘You need to cancel your presentation,’ Sara said.
‘I’ll be okay. I intend to honour my obligation.’
Aware, after so many times of trying, that she would not be able to dissuade the woman, Sara acquiesced. The plan she outlined to those charged with protecting the doctor was that they would take her to the event at 11 a.m. for the pre-conference get-together.
At all times, one police officer was to be at her side, which would be, unless advised otherwise, either Sara Marshall or Sean O’Riordan. Two police officers would be stationed at the main entrances to the venue, and police would be interspersed throughout the building. All persons entering would be checked and their credentials established.
As it was a two-day event, it was clear that Charlotte Hamilton’s window of opportunity was limited, at least in London. At the conclusion of the day’s activities, Dr Lake was to be taken back to the hotel and protected at all times. On the third morning after arriving, she would travel to the railway station to catch an early train back to Newcastle. A discreet police escort consisting of six officers, including Sara and Sean, would accompany her to Newcastle where she would be placed under the protection of Rory Hewitt and his team. At no time, and Sara was adamant about this, was Gladys Lake allowed to be out of sight of the police.
As Sara explained, it was not only about protecting Dr Lake. It was also about capturing Charlotte Hamilton who was preparing to take some action, although where and when was not known.
***
Wendy and Larry were at Euston Underground. The security videos had identified Charlotte Hamilton but not where she had gone after leaving the station.
The taxi rank offered the best opportunity, and six officers, as well as Wendy, were working the taxis one by one, although the drivers were not pleased to be delayed. However, they could not avoid the police, and it was always best to keep on the right side of the law; they knew that.
Larry was the first to make a breakthrough. ‘That’s her. She was a nervous woman, kept asking me to drive faster,’ an Indian Sikh driver said.
‘What can you tell me about her?’ Larry asked.
‘Can’t it wait? It’s the best time of the day to make money.’
‘Official police enquiry.’
‘Then be quick.’
‘Where did you take the woman?’
‘Windsor, an excellent fare at that time of night. There’s a train out there, but for some reason she preferred to come with me.’
‘Address?’
‘Just in front of the castle, that’s all. Can I go now?’
‘Subject to giving your details. We’ll need a statement later from you.’
‘That’s fine. I’m a good citizen. Always willing to help.’
The Sikh driver gave his details. Larry could see no reason to detain him further. However, he had not been able to provide a precise address.
‘Important, is she?’
‘Very.’
‘Okay. You have my phone number, but as I said, I dropped her in front of the castle. No more than that.’
Isaac, now aware of where Charlotte had gone, was soon on the phone to the police station in Windsor. Larry and Wendy left Euston soon after Larry’s success, and with their team headed towards the small town, twenty miles to the west, that was invariably swamped by tourists hoping for a glimpse of royalty. It was still early; there was a chance they could stop Charlotte before she left there.
Sergeant Bevin Downton met them on arrival at the police station in Alma Road, no more than a mile from Windsor Castle, and the last known location of Charlotte Hamilton.
‘What can I do for you?’ Downton, a tall man with dark wavy hair, asked.
‘Your team is ready?’ Larry
