Next In Line

Chapter 9

William and Rebecca arrived outside Number 4 Buckingham Gate early on the Tuesday morning, unsure ‘what they were about to receive’. They were, to quote Rebecca, bright-eyed, bushy-tailed and more than ready to begin their new assignment.

William knocked on the door, as he didn’t have an entry code for the small keypad on the wall. He received no response. He banged a little harder, but still no response. He was about to try a third time when the door half opened and a man peered out at them over a chain. He looked as if he’d been woken from a deep sleep, and hadn’t had time to shave.

‘What do you want?’ he asked gruffly.

‘To come in,’ replied William.

‘Who are you?’

‘Detective Chief Inspector Warwick,’ said William, producing his warrant card. ‘Who are you?’

‘Sergeant Jennings. What can I do for you, Inspector?’

‘Chief Inspector,’ William snapped. ‘You can start by opening the door and showing me to my office.’

Jennings took the chain off the hook and reluctantly opened the door to allow the two strangers to enter. He silently led them down a long dark corridor, switching on the lights as he went. They descended a staircase to a basement, the dank, putrid smell suggesting it was rarely visited. They stopped before a door at the far end, where Jennings took his time looking for the right key.

‘Your office,’ he announced, after he’d finally managed to open it. He’d clearly never been in the room before, and shivered before standing aside to allow them to enter.

A single light bulb hung from the ceiling. Below it was a small plywood desk that wobbled when touched, two plastic chairs and a few wooden shelves lined with last year’s dust, along with a 1984 volume of the police yearbook.

‘Is there anything else I can do for you?’ asked Jennings, sounding as if they were keeping him from something more important.

‘Should I presume you’ve been on night duty, Sergeant?’

‘Yes,’ came back the sheepish reply.

‘Yes, sir,’ corrected William.

‘Yes, sir,’ snapped Jennings, clicking his heels.

‘The first thing you can do,’ said William, ‘is go and shave, put on a jacket and tie, and then report back to me.’

‘I’m just about to go off duty.’

‘Were just about to go off duty,’ said William, correcting him. Jennings turned to leave, mumbling something incoherent under his breath.

‘I’ve seen worse first thing in the morning,’ said Rebecca once he’d closed the door behind him. ‘But not since my student days.’

‘Are you referring to the Sergeant or the room?’

‘Both,’ she said, looking around, ‘but I’m confident I can improve at least one of them in the short term.’

‘It’s their way of letting us know how they feel about outsiders interfering with their entitled way of life. I think you can assume we’ll be left in the basement until they find out we’re not a bargain.’

‘Don’t worry, chief, I’ll have a Renoir, a Picasso and a Matisse on the wall long before the Superintendent turns up.’

‘I’d prefer a phone, a filing cabinet and a wastepaper basket,’ said William as he began to open the desk drawers, only to discover the cupboard was bare.

Rebecca took a small notepad and a Biro out of her attaché case and handed them to William, as Jennings ambled back into the room.

‘Go back out, Sergeant,’ said William. ‘Knock on the door and wait until you’re asked to come in. And when you do, remember to bring your own chair.’

Rebecca would have liked to have captured the look on Jennings’s face to remind her of their first day at work with Royalty Protection. This time he retreated without comment.

‘I do believe you’re enjoying yourself, chief,’ ventured Rebecca.

‘If Jennings is anything to go by, this is going to be more of a challenge than I’d originally thought.’

There was a knock on the door.

‘Come in,’ said William.

Jennings opened the door and walked back in, carrying a comfortable chair.

‘You can sit down, Sergeant,’ said William.

Jennings placed his chair in front of the desk and sat down. William remained standing, while Jennings leant forward, as if perched on a stool in the corner of a boxing ring, waiting for the bell to sound for the first round.

‘Name and rank?’

‘I’ve already told you,’ retorted Jennings.

‘One more piece of insubordination, Sergeant, and I’ll be getting my red pen out and asking for your pocket book.’

‘Why, what have I done?’

‘It’s what you haven’t done,’ said William. ‘You were on night duty but, when you opened the front door, it was clear I’d woken you, as you were unshaven and yawning.’

Jennings shifted uneasily in his chair.

‘Name and rank?’ repeated William.

‘Sergeant Ray Jennings.’

‘How long have you been a member of the police force, Sergeant?’

‘Six years.’

‘Six years, sir.’

‘Six years, sir.’

‘What is your position?’

‘I’m the third protection officer on the Prince of Wales’s personal team, sir.’

‘Who are the other two officers on that team?’ asked William, making notes.

‘Superintendent Milner, who’s head of Royalty Protection Command’ — he stressed the word head — ‘and Inspector Reynolds, his number two.’

‘When can I expect either of them to make an appearance?’

‘Inspector Reynolds usually comes in around ten on a Tuesday morning.’

‘Around ten?’

‘If he’s been working over the weekend and HRH doesn’t have any engagements before midday, there doesn’t seem much point in coming in any earlier. In any case, he lives in the country.’

‘And Superintendent Milner?’

‘You can never be sure if he’ll be at Buck House or Windsor Castle, but I’ll let him know you’re here the moment he arrives.’

‘And you?’

‘I’m on nights this week,’ said Jennings, stifling another yawn. ‘I was just about to go home.’

‘Before you leave, I’d like a copy of your day sheet, and the name of the officer who signs you off. If I ever see you incorrectly dressed and unshaven again, Sergeant, you’ll be back on the beat with the rank of Constable.’ Jennings immediately sat bolt upright, the surly look disappearing from his face. ‘You can go off duty now, Sergeant.’

Jennings rose, picked up the chair and headed for the door.

‘You can leave the chair, Jennings.’

Jackie and Paul had met up outside Windsor station earlier that morning, and joined a small group of commuters, none of whom was heading for the castle. Paul was unusually silent, displaying a slight nervousness both of them felt. They arrived outside the castle gates a few minutes before eight to be challenged by a guardsman who clearly wasn’t expecting them.

When Jackie produced her warrant card, he reluctantly opened the gates and let them both in. They made their way across to the protection officers’ quarters, which Jackie had identified on one of her tourist outings.

Jackie walked straight into the main office to find a smartly dressed young woman seated at a desk poring over some figures in a ledger. She looked even more surprised to see them than the guardsman.

‘Can I help you?’ she asked.

Once again Jackie produced her warrant card, pleased to find they were not expected.

‘I’m Constable Smart,’ the young woman said, immediately standing up, but clearly still unsure what they were both doing there.

‘Are you the only officer on duty this morning, Constable?’ Jackie asked.

‘Yes,’ she replied defensively. ‘The others don’t usually turn up much before lunch on a Tuesday unless one of the royals has an early appointment,’ she added, trying to cover her indiscretion.

Jackie couldn’t miss the hint of disapproval in her voice, and wondered if Constable Smart might, given time, turn out to be a useful ally.

‘Can I get you a coffee, Sergeant?’ the Constable asked politely.

‘Thank you,’ said Jackie as she sat down beside her and turned her back on Paul.

Paul took the hint and went off in search of an office they might occupy, only to end up finding a spare desk and a broom cupboard. However, when he returned, he was pleased to find Jackie enjoying a second cup of coffee with Constable Smart.

DI Hogan rang the front doorbell at ten minutes to eight. It was opened a few moments later by someone who was clean-shaven, smartly dressed and clearly expecting him.

‘Welcome to Kensington Palace, Inspector,’ said the butler. ‘Please come in. The Princess is having breakfast in her room. I don’t expect to see her much before nine, so why don’t I show you around while we’ve got the chance? Let’s start with your living quarters, which are on the top floor.’

‘Where I come from,’ said Ross, ‘that’s called the attic.’

Burrows laughed as he accompanied the Inspector upstairs. ‘I admit your quarters are a little cramped, but you can always join me in the kitchen if you’re at a loose end.’ He opened a door to reveal a room that was larger than any in Ross’s flat. A single bed was tucked away in one corner. ‘In case you arrive back late and have an early appointment the following morning,’ Burrows explained, ‘which isn’t unusual. You’ll soon learn that HRH is more of an owl than a lark.’

Ross nodded as he looked around the room, surprised by how well equipped it was. He picked up a handwritten card on the desk which read simply, Welcome.

‘How do I address you?’ Burrows asked politely.

‘Ross is fine,’ he said, opening a wardrobe to find a dozen coat hangers on the rail.

‘No, I meant Inspector or sir?’

‘I meant Ross.’

‘Thank you, Ross. I’m Paul. But not in front of the Princess. You’ll find a copy of her engagements for the next week on your desk. She’s attending a heart charity lunch at the Dorchester today. The venue’s already been checked by an advance team. That will be one of your responsibilities in the future. But whenever you’re stuck indoors, as she calls it, you can take a break.’ He opened one of the desk drawers and handed over a thick file. ‘Here’s your prep, Ross. I’ll try to answer any questions you might have, but not until you’ve done your homework. Could I just say you’re unusually well-dressed for a policeman?’

‘You can blame my late wife for that,’ said Ross. ‘Jo was French, and didn’t have a high opinion of the Brits’ dress sense, even less about our lack of appreciation of haute cuisine or fine wine, and gave up completely when it came to how to treat a lady.’

‘No wonder the Princess took a liking to you.’

They both laughed. The laughter of two men getting to know each other.

‘You’ll need to keep a couple of changes of clothes to hand,’ continued Burrows. ‘A suit for formal occasions, morning dress for weddings or funerals, and a dinner jacket in the evening. Sometimes you’ll need all three on the same day.’

‘Help,’ said Ross.

‘Fear not. The cupboard may be bare, but I can guide you in the right direction. If you report to Cassidy and Cassidy in Savile Row, Mr Francis Cassidy will kit you out. He also knows where to send the bill.’

‘Will that really be necessary?’ asked Ross. ‘I’ve already got a couple of decent suits and a DJ—’

‘Not appropriate, I’m afraid. Can’t afford to have you looking out of place. You must blend in, so no one gives you a second look. We don’t want it to be too obvious that you’re her protection officer.’

Ross sat down at his new desk and opened a file marked ‘CONFIDENTIAL’.

‘Time for me to collect the breakfast tray and help HRH decide what she should wear for her first outing. She always likes a second opinion. I’ll let her know you’ve arrived.’

‘Is the Prince of Wales up there with her?’

‘You’ll soon learn, Ross, there are some questions you just don’t ask.’

The phone on William’s desk began to ring, and he picked it up to hear a voice bark, ‘Report to my office, immediately.’

William didn’t need to be told who was on the other end of the line. He had a feeling Superintendent Milner’s office wouldn’t be in the basement.

After a couple of enquiries on the way, William ended up outside a door on the second floor where he was greeted with a sign that read in large gold letters:

He knocked and waited until he heard the command, ‘Enter,’ before he walked into a large, comfortably furnished room that wouldn’t have looked out of place in Buckingham Palace, rather than Buckingham Gate. The walls were lined with photographs of Milner with various members of the Royal Family, leaving the impression they were close friends.

‘Sit down, Warwick,’ said the Superintendent, without any suggestion of a welcome. William hadn’t even sat down before he added, ‘I understand you bawled out one of my officers when he was off duty.’

‘If you’re referring to Sergeant Jennings, sir, when I arrived this morning at sixteen minutes to eight, he was unshaven and incorrectly dressed, despite still being on duty. I didn’t bawl him out. But I did leave him in no doubt how I felt about his attitude and appearance while serving as a police officer.’

The look on Milner’s face rather suggested he wasn’t in the habit of being addressed in this manner by a junior officer. ‘Try to remember, Warwick, they still report to me and not you.’ He stared long and hard at William, before adding, ‘That is of course, Chief Inspector, unless it’s my job you’re after.’

‘I have no interest in your job, Superintendent. Only doing mine.’

‘Frankly, Warwick,’ he said, ‘I’m at a loss to work out what your job is.’

‘I’ve been asked by the Commissioner to make a comprehensive report on the workings of this unit, to see if any improvements can be made.’ William took an envelope from his inside pocket and handed it across to the Superintendent.

‘I’m confident, Chief Inspector,’ said Milner after he’d read the enclosed instructions, ‘that you’ll find everything in this outfit is running smoothly and above board.’ William wondered why he’d unnecessarily added the words ‘above board’. Always wait for a sentence the suspect will later regret, the Hawk had taught him. ‘Be assured that if I can assist you in any way, I’ll be only too happy to do so,’ continued Milner. ‘But frankly, I think you’re wasting your time.’

‘Let’s hope you’re right, sir,’ said William. ‘However, would it be possible for DC Pankhurst and me to have an office that doesn’t suggest we’re the janitors?’

‘I don’t have any spare rooms at the moment.’

‘Perhaps one of your Constables could—’

‘And perhaps they couldn’t,’ snapped Milner.

‘I’ll also need a secretary,’ came back William, ‘who can spell as well as type, before we begin to interview all sixty-three members of your staff at Buckingham Gate, as well as those based at Windsor.’

‘Is that really necessary?’ asked Milner, his voice softening. ‘After all, my lads have demanding schedules, and I’m sure I don’t have to remind you that the Royal Family don’t exactly keep office hours.’

‘I’ll try not to interfere with their daily duties,’ William assured him, ‘but if I’m to complete a meaningful report for the Commissioner—’

‘I’ll want to see that report before you hand it in,’ interrupted Milner.

‘Of course, sir. I’ll keep you informed of my progress at all times, and I feel sure your staff will do the same.’

‘Anything else, Warwick, before I’m allowed to get on with my job?’ asked the Superintendent curtly.

‘Yes, sir. Two members of my team, DS Adaja and DS Roycroft, will be based at Windsor Castle during our inquiry. Can I hope they received a warmer welcome this morning than I did?’

‘If you’d let us know when you were coming, Chief Inspector, I would have been here to welcome you myself,’ said Milner, not attempting to hide his irritation.

‘That would have rather defeated the purpose, sir,’ said William, not flinching.

‘And what might that purpose be?’

‘Simply to prove that your section is, to quote the Commissioner’s instructions, fit for purpose.’

‘I’m confident you’ll find that is the case. However, you need to understand right from the start that Royalty Protection Command is a unique outfit, to which the normal rules don’t apply. Try not to forget, Warwick, we are only answerable to the Royal Family, no one else.’

‘We are all servants of the Crown, Superintendent. However, I’m also answerable to Commander Hawksby, who in turn will be reporting to the Commissioner.’

The look on the Superintendent’s face suggested he was well aware of the Hawk’s reputation.

‘I feel sure we’ll be able to rub along together,’ said Milner, the bully suddenly replaced by the sycophant. ‘William, isn’t it?’

‘Chief Inspector Warwick, sir.’

‘You have to try and understand, Warwick, the challenges I have to face on a daily basis.’

‘I’ll do my best to ensure that everyone is given the chance to explain those challenges in great detail, sir.’

‘If that’s your attitude, Warwick, you might do well to remember that my boss outranks Commander Hawksby,’ said Milner, barely able to keep his temper.

‘Not to mention the Commissioner, sir,’ said William. ‘I’ll be sure to let my boss know your thoughts on the subject.’

‘I think it’s time for you to leave, Warwick.’ Milner picked up the phone on his desk. ‘I’m about to have a word with your commander, so don’t bother to settle in. I have a feeling you’ll be heading back to Scotland Yard later today. Get me Commander Hawksby at the Yard,’ he barked down the phone while waving a dismissive hand in William’s direction.

‘Thank you, sir,’ said William, before leaving the room and closing the door quietly behind him. He returned to the room in the basement to find that Rebecca had somehow managed to commandeer several boxes of paper, a typewriter and even a filing cabinet.

‘How did it go?’ she asked.

‘It could have been worse,’ said William, after relaying their conversation, ‘but I can’t imagine how.’

‘Does that mean we’ll be back at the Yard in time for lunch?’

‘You know very well the Hawk doesn’t approve of lunch breaks,’ said William as he sat down at his desk and waited for the phone to ring.