‘Contact – I have the eye,’ said Danny.
‘Stay with him,’ said William, ‘but only for about another mile. I’ve got an unmarked car just behind you ready to take over.’
‘Understood,’ said Danny, who kept his distance, but never let the target out of his sight. ‘Subject’s moved into the outside lane,’ he reported a few moments later. ‘Could be turning right.’
‘Or carrying straight on,’ said William. ‘In which case we might find out where he lives.’
‘I’d rather find out where he works,’ said Lamont. ‘But I don’t expect we’ll get that lucky.’
‘Drop back, Danny,’ was William’s next command, ‘and let the patrol car take over. But stand by, as I may need you again later.’
It amused William that his four unmarked cars were all five-year-old Austin Allegros, in standard colours but with souped-up engines that could do 120 mph if required. No one gave them a second glance as they proceeded down the middle lane of the Great West Road, never exceeding 40 mph.
‘Target has reached the Courage roundabout. Looks like he might be heading for the M4.’
‘Where do taxis usually end up after they hit the M4?’ asked William rhetorically.
‘The airport,’ said Danny.
‘That’s all we need.’
‘It’s definitely looking like the motorway,’ said the driver of the patrol car, ‘because he’s running out of turn-offs.’
‘Peel off at the Hammersmith flyover and let Danny take over. Another cab will be less conspicuous on the motorway, especially if Rashidi’s heading for the airport. But, Danny, if his cab stays in the outside lane, let another car take over, while you slip off the motorway at the Heathrow exit and then return to the Yard.’
‘Will do, sarge.’
‘Target’s moved back into the middle lane and is slowing,’ said Danny. ‘I think you’re right, sarge. It has to be Heathrow.’
‘Damn,’ said William. ‘I haven’t got enough back-up to cover all three terminals.’
‘It’s terminal one, domestic.’
‘Keep your distance,’ said William. ‘Paul, be ready to follow him into the terminal.’
‘On the edge of my seat, sarge.’
A short period of silence followed, while William paced around the room, fearing that if this became a weekly exercise, he’d wear out his shoes before they worked out where the subject was going.
‘He’s getting out of the taxi and heading for departures,’ said Danny. ‘Paul’s tailing him.’
‘Is he carrying anything?’
‘Nothing, sarge.’
‘Then he’s unlikely to be flying anywhere.’
‘Could be meeting someone?’ suggested Jackie.
‘Not in departures. I suspect it’s just another ploy to lose anyone who might even consider following him.’
‘Paul’s entering the terminal,’ said Danny.
‘What about Rashidi’s taxi?’ asked William.
‘It’s on the move again. Do you want me to follow him?’
‘No. If the driver’s a pro, he’ll have spotted you by now. Wait until Paul tells us where Rashidi ends up.’
‘I’ve lost him, sir,’ said Paul, sounding embarrassed. ‘There must be a dozen entrances and exits in departures, while there are a thousand passengers roaming around in every direction.’
‘My fault,’ said William. ‘I should have told Danny to follow the taxi.’
‘Just make sure you have all three terminals covered next week,’ said Hawksby, who had been following every word.
‘What makes you think he’ll turn up at his mother’s again next week?’ said William, trying to keep the frustration out of his voice.
‘Mr Rashidi and I have one thing in common,’ said the Hawk. ‘We’re never late for our mothers.’
9
BETH’S FATHER TAPPED on the bedroom door. ‘The car’s arrived.’
‘We’re almost ready, Arthur,’ said his wife. ‘Just give us a few more minutes.’
Arthur checked his watch. The chauffeur had done a dry run to the church earlier that morning, and reported that it had taken him eleven minutes. Of course, Arthur understood that everyone would expect the bride to be fashionably late, but not so late that the groom would become anxious, not to mention their two hundred guests.
Beth looked at herself in the mirror once again. Nothing had changed. She couldn’t have imagined a more beautiful dress, and knew she would never be able to thank her father properly for the sacrifices he’d made so that this day would be one she would never forget.
‘Does every bride have misgivings on the day of her wedding?’ she said, almost to herself.
‘I did,’ admitted her mother, as she readjusted Beth’s veil. ‘So I expect the answer is yes.’
Another tap on the door.
‘I’m afraid this is one of those rare occasions when they can’t start without you,’ Arthur reminded them, before walking back downstairs, opening the front door and pacing up and down the path.
A few moments later his daughter appeared at the top of the stairs and, like every father of the bride, he was the proudest man on earth. He left the house and opened the back door of the Rolls-Royce – even that had been rehearsed – and waited for Beth to climb in before he joined her in the back. The Rolls drifted sedately off and Arthur wondered if he should tell the driver to speed up, but thought better of it.
‘You look sensational,’ he said, as he turned to admire his daughter once again. ‘William’s a very lucky man.’
‘I’m so nervous,’ said Beth. ‘I hope it doesn’t show.’
‘And so you should be, young lady. You’re about to sign a partnership contract for life, with no get-out clause.’
‘I don’t know how to thank you, Dad. None of this would have been possible without your extraordinary kindness and generosity, not just today, but for so many years. I know there must have been times when I drove you mad.’
‘Fairly regularly,’ replied Arthur with a chuckle, ‘but I’m happy to pass on that responsibility to the man who got me out of jail and back to work when no one except you believed that was possible.’ He took her hand. ‘Fathers are always convinced that nobody’s good enough for their daughter, especially an only daughter, but I couldn’t be more delighted to have William as a son-in-law. Of course he’s not good enough for you, but he’ll
