Page 50 of End Game
‘Do you arrest Faulkner as he gets off his plane and discover what’s in the box, or do you follow the box to find out who it’s being delivered to?’
‘If I’m to confirm who Faulkner’s working for,’ said William, ‘I need to know where the box is going.’
‘I agree,’ said Meredith. ‘Call me the moment you know the answer, because you can be sure we’ll already have a thick file on whoever receives it.’
William’s next call was to Ross, with clear instructions not to arrest Faulkner but to follow the box.
•••
By the time Faulkner’s plane landed back at Biggin Hill, Ross’s fleet of taxis was in place all along the route back into London. One of them watched the passenger from a distance as he walked down the steps off his plane, firmly clinging on to what did look like a shoebox. He didn’t let go of the box when he stepped into the back of the Rolls, despite Collins offering to take it.
The taxi relay went into action as Collins headed for central London.
‘We’re being followed,’ said Collins, as he glanced in his wing mirror.
Faulkner sighed. ‘So it seems Warwick and his team are well aware I’ve been to Helsinki.’
‘I wonder why they didn’t check what’s inside the box when you went through customs?’
‘Because I imagine they’re more interested in who the box is being delivered to than what’s inside it. Never underestimate Warwick,’ said Faulkner. ‘We’ll have to switch to plan B.’ He sent a text message to an unnamed number.
Collins took the next turning off the motorway and smiled when he saw the taxi was still following him.
•••
When Ross saw the Rolls-Royce leaving the motorway, he swore. He’d been spotted. He would have to switch cars as soon as possible if he was to find out where the box was destined for.
He radioed the nearest member of his fleet of taxis and told them to get into position for a quick changeover, before adding, ‘I’ll drive, but you stay in the car – if Faulkner gets out and we need to follow him on foot, it had better be an officer he won’t recognize.’
•••
‘A different taxi is now following us,’ said Collins, as he looked in his rear-view mirror, ‘but I think it’s the same driver. None other than our old friend Sergeant Ross. Do I stick to plan B?’
‘Yes,’ said Faulkner, not bothering to look back, while Collins kept to the planned route.
•••
Ross drew his new taxi to a stop outside Fulham Broadway station, fifty yards behind the Rolls-Royce.
‘He’s getting out of the car,’ said the young detective at his side.
‘And still clinging onto the box,’ added Ross. ‘Get out and tail him. I’ll follow the Rolls if it leaves, just in case.’
The young detective leapt out and ran into the tube station, slowing down when he spotted Faulkner going through theticket barrier. Faulkner stepped onto the escalator, tucking in behind a tall man. The detective remained several steps behind and watched as Faulkner headed for the platform, not looking back as the train pulled in. The detective slipped into an adjoining carriage and took a seat between two passengers, only his eyes moving.
Faulkner travelled for four stops before he got off the tube.
The detective was among the last to leave the train, but he never let Faulkner out of his sight, as the mark headed for the Exit sign.
He was halfway up the escalator before he realized that Faulkner was no longer carrying the box.
Ross had been following Collins in the Rolls-Royce for fifteen minutes when the car came to a halt outside another station. Ross parked on the other side of the road, just in time to see an empty-handed Faulkner strolling out of the station without once looking back. He climbed into the back of the Rolls, and the young detective emerged a second later, looking both embarrassed and ashamed.
Petrov travelled for another four stops before he got off at Westminster. He stood on the escalator, eyes moving in every direction, while keeping the box tucked under his bulky raincoat and sticking to the blind spots of any CCTV cameras wherever possible.
When he left the underground, he hailed a taxi. No one followed him.
Thirty minutes later, the Rolls came to a halt in Cadogan Square. Miles got out and gave Ross a wave before he entered number 37.
