Nothing Ventured

34

‘Your Royal Highness, my lords, ladies, and gentlemen. My name is Tim Knox, and as the director of the Fitzmolean Museum, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the official unveiling of Rembrandt’s masterpiece The Syndics of the Clothmakers’ Guild. The Syndics, as you know, were taken from the museum just over seven years ago, and some thought they would never return. However, such was our confidence that they would eventually come home, we have never allowed another painting to hang in its place.’

A spontaneous round of applause followed. The director waited for silence before he continued.

‘I will now invite Her Royal Highness to unveil the lost masterpiece.’

The Princess Royal stepped up to the microphone. ‘Before I do, Tim,’ she said, ‘can I remind you that my great-grandfather opened this museum over a hundred years ago. I trust that when I pull this cord, something my family have considerable experience in doing, there will be a Rembrandt on the other side and not a faded rectangle where The Syndics once hung.’ Everyone laughed. Princess Anne pulled the cord, and the red curtain parted to allow them all to admire the painting, some of them for the first time. William glanced at its bottom right-hand corner to make sure the RvR was in place before he joined in the applause.

‘Thank you,’ said Knox. ‘But tonight, you are going to get two for the price of one, because you cannot have failed to notice that there is a second painting waiting to be unveiled. But for now, enjoy a glass of champagne and admire the Rembrandt, before we introduce you to our latest acquisition.’

William didn’t budge as he continued to admire the painting he’d first seen in Monte Carlo, and had wondered if he’d ever see again. He didn’t notice the commander standing by his side until he broke into his thoughts.

‘Congratulations, William,’ said Hawksby. ‘This has been a personal triumph for you.’

‘It was a team effort, sir,’ said William, reluctantly taking his eyes off the picture and turning to his boss.

‘Balls. It would never have been returned to its rightful place if you hadn’t joined the team. However, just to warn you, as soon as we get back to the Yard, I shall be reporting to the commissioner and taking all of the credit.’

William smiled. ‘I’m delighted Jackie was invited this evening,’ he said, looking across the room to see her chatting to Beth. ‘She did so much of the spadework before I even arrived on the scene.’

‘I agree. And although she’s been demoted, I’m pleased the department hasn’t lost her altogether. But that has created a problem, because Art and Antiquities is only allowed one detective constable.’

William accepted the rule that if you were the last to join a unit, and cutbacks had to be made, you’d be the first to leave. He just hoped he wasn’t going back on the beat.

‘I’m afraid, William, we’ll have to move you to another department, but not before you’ve taken your sergeant’s exam.’

‘But I’m not eligible to do that for at least another year, sir.’

‘I’m well aware of that, Warwick. That’s why I’m putting you on the graduates’ accelerated promotion scheme, which you tried so hard to avoid when you first joined the force.’

William wanted to protest, but was well aware it was a battle he couldn’t win. ‘And what department do you have in mind for me, sir?’

‘I haven’t decided between drugs, fraud, and murder.’

‘I’ve had enough of murder, sir, although I’ll be eternally grateful for your help in ensuring my future father-in-law was released.’

‘Never mention that in public or private again,’ said Hawksby as Arthur drifted across to join them.

‘I can’t wait to see what’s behind the other curtain,’ Arthur said. ‘Beth’s been making such a fuss about it.’

‘And she’s right to do so,’ said William, ‘but all I can say is you won’t be disappointed.’

Tim Knox tapped his champagne glass with a spoon several times before everyone had stopped talking and turned to face him.

‘In the past,’ he said, ‘we have always considered The Syndics to be the star of our galaxy, but when this second curtain is opened, I wonder if you will consider that a genuine rival has joined the firmament.’

Without another word, he pulled the cord to reveal Rubens’s Christ’s Descent from the Cross, to gasps, followed by thunderous applause.

‘This amazing addition to our collection,’ he continued, once the ovation had subsided, ‘has been made possible by the incredible generosity of the well-known collector and philanthropist Mr. Miles Faulkner. As he is with us this evening, I ask you all to raise a glass and drink his health.’

‘Count me out,’ muttered William, despite the cries of ‘Hear, hear!’ and the clinking of glasses.

‘Count me in,’ said Beth, raising her glass, ‘while he’s still got so many more rare gems on his walls that we’d be happy to see hanging in the Fitzmolean.’

‘I’d hang him first,’ said William.

‘I think I’d better go and rescue my father,’ said Beth, ‘and take him home. It’s getting close to his bedtime, and we mustn’t forget that he’s going back to work tomorrow.’

William nodded. ‘I’ll join you in a moment,’ he said, unable to tear himself away from the Rubens.

‘I shall miss my favorite work of art,’ said a voice from behind him.

William swung around to see Faulkner also admiring the Rubens, but he refused to acknowledge him. That didn’t stop Faulkner from saying, ‘Should you ever find yourself in New York, Constable Warwick, do give me a call, because I’d like to invite you around to my apartment on Fifth Avenue for a drink.’

‘Why would I want to do that?’ said William, almost spitting out the words.

Faulkner leaned forward and whispered in his ear, ‘Because then I can show you the original.’