‘Not to mention Miles Faulkner,’ said William, ‘who died so conveniently.’
‘I also played a small part,’ Commander Hawksby reminded them, as he shook Beth’s hand and added his congratulations.
‘Or at least that’s what I told the commissioner of the Met,’ said William, in a clipped voice. He immediately regretted his words, until everyone, including the Hawk, burst out laughing.
‘Arsenal versus Chelsea, same time, usual place,’ whispered Hawksby to William, before walking away to take a closer look at the Vermeer.
‘Many congratulations, my darling,’ said a voice coming from behind her. Beth turned to see Christina and the distinguished-looking gentleman sailing towards her.
‘Thank you, Christina. And the gallery will be eternally in debt to its most generous benefactor.’
‘It was all made possible by William,’ she replied. ‘If he hadn’t been able to show that Miles’s paintings weren’t destroyed after he’d burnt down Limpton Hall, I’d be a penniless waif.’
‘And stray, which certainly wouldn’t suit you,’ said William, leaning over and kissing her on both cheeks.
‘I’d like to introduce you to Captain Ralph Neville,’ said Christina. Her companion stepped forward and shook hands with William and Beth rather formally.
‘May I add my congratulations on your appointment, Mrs Warwick,’ he said. ‘But frankly it didn’t come as a great surprise after all Christina has told me about you.’
‘Christina!’ said the director as he bustled over. ‘How do I begin to thank you?’
‘My pleasure, Tim. May I introduce my guest, Captain Ralph Neville.’
‘Good evening, sir,’ said Neville, as William and Beth slipped off to take a closer look at the Vermeer.
‘And I thought it was only me who could keep a secret,’ said William. ‘You didn’t even hint you might be appointed Keeper of Pictures, or that Christina had a new escort.’
‘I wasn’t confident enough to tell you about the promotion, and only found out quite recently about Captain Neville. In fact it’s the first time I’ve met him.’
‘I like the cut of his jib,’ mocked William, stealing one of his father’s expressions.
‘How appropriate. Apparently, Ralph was a captain in the Royal Navy, recently retired.’
‘And he certainly looks as if he’d like to lower his anchor, if he hasn’t already,’ William added.
‘Behave yourself, caveman,’ said Beth, looking around to see Christina and the captain chatting to the director.
‘A bit of a contrast to her late, unlamented husband,’ said William.
‘Not to mention the string of toy boys who’ve been sponging off her recently.’
‘I think she always knew what she was getting in return.’
‘This one looks a little more promising,’ said Beth. ‘So let’s be happy for her.’
‘Dare I ask, as you seem to be keeping me in the dark on so many things, if all the other pictures have also been returned to Christina?’
‘The entire collection, she tells me. I think Christina plans to sell them all and continue to live in a manner few of us can dream of.’
‘Then let’s hope Captain Neville doesn’t turn out to be another gold digger,’ said William, taking a closer look at the new man in Christina’s life.
‘We’re off to Monte Carlo for a few days,’ Christina was telling the director. ‘Ralph is looking forward to seeing my little hideaway.’
‘That isn’t how William described your Monte Carlo home,’ said Tim. ‘More like a palace filled with masterpieces.’
‘Well, I have my dear departed husband to thank for that. As the paintings won’t be around for much longer, you must come and see them while you still have a chance.’
‘Nothing would give me greater pleasure,’ said Tim, who had already been warned by Beth that Christina intended to sell the entire collection.
‘I’m afraid we’ll have to leave fairly soon,’ said Christina. ‘We’re catching an early flight to Nice in the morning and won’t be returning until after Christmas. But early in the New Year I’m planning to give a dinner party for a few friends, and do hope you’ll be able to join us.’
‘I’ll look forward to it,’ said Tim, giving her a slight bow before he left them to mingle with his other guests.
‘Let’s slip away,’ said Christina. ‘We’ve been here quite long enough.’
She and the captain held hands as they walked slowly across the room, left the gallery and made their way down the wide carpeted staircase and out onto the street.
Christina’s chauffeur opened the back door of the Rolls to allow them to climb in, before returning to the driver’s seat. He eased out and joined the early-evening traffic, but it wasn’t until he’d turned the corner that Christina looked at her companion and said, ‘Do you think we got away with it?’
18
‘Good morning, Mrs Faulkner. How nice to see you.’
Christina had to admire the way Booth Watson could lie so unashamedly, while keeping a straight face. She sat down in the seat opposite him, but did not return his salutation.
‘Miles felt we should meet in order to avoid any possible misunderstandings in the future.’
‘How thoughtful of him,’ said Christina.
‘As you know, he is content to make your life as comfortable as possible,’ said Booth Watson, ignoring the barbed remark, ‘but in return, he will expect you to abide by certain rules.’
‘Like what?’
‘He’ll buy you a house in the country, continue to pay the rent on the flat in Chelsea, and supply you with an income of one thousand pounds a week. And of course you’ll be able to keep your car and chauffeur.’
‘What about the half-million we agreed on in the divorce settlement?’
‘An agreement that was unfortunately never formalized. In any case, you’ve recently sold the land on the site of Limpton Hall for—’ he checked the figure — ‘seven hundred and seventy thousand pounds, so you’re not exactly broke,’ he added.
‘I’ll need at least two thousand pounds a week to cover my living expenses. That was also agreed in our divorce settlement, in case you’ve forgotten.’
‘Miles anticipated you might say that, and being a generous man, he will agree to fifteen hundred a week.’
‘What about the paintings? Half of them belong to me.’
‘Possession is nine tenths of the law. And they are now well beyond your reach.’
‘Two thousand a week.’
‘Very well. As long as you make no attempt to reclaim the Vermeer from the Fitzmolean should you for any reason fall upon hard times.’
‘Only if Miles agrees not to steal the painting from the gallery a second time.’
‘He’s unlikely to do that,’ said Booth Watson, ‘as it wouldn’t take the police long to work out that he’s still alive.’
‘If I do agree to his terms, what will he expect in return?’
‘You will keep up the myth that he is dead, especially with your friend Beth Warwick and her husband. As long as they continue to believe he is Captain Ralph Neville, a recently retired naval officer, he’ll be able to go about his business without fear of being exposed.’
‘It wouldn’t take William long to discover that no such Royal Navy officer ever existed.’
‘Ah, but he does,’ said Booth Watson, ‘and he’s recently retired on a far larger pension than he would have thought possible before he met Miles, on the one condition that he never sets foot in England again.’
‘And if I refuse to go along with your plan and decide to expose him?’ said Christina, defiantly.
‘The country house will never be yours, the flat in London will undergo a rent review that you won’t be able to afford, and your weekly allowance will dry up overnight.’