Five, and finally, I only have five fingers, she is connected. Her dad is a contender for the presidency. He is third generation politician. There won’t be a politician in the US who doesn’t owe Denton Miles III, his daddy or his grand-daddy a favour.”

Pete and Dee looked depressed.

“So what we are saying is that the Hokobus will never get justice.” Dee’s voice was tight with anger.

Steve shrugged. “I hope they do get justice, Dee, but I don’t want the two of you feeling that you failed that couple in any way if the machinery of government grinds the case against Davis to dust.”

Chapter 5 6

Terminal 5, Heathrow Airport, London. Tuesday 8:30am.

The UK’s newest international terminal was thronged with people eager to escape the frigid London weather. The fully glazed edifice would have been bathed with light if there had been any outside, but it was another cloudy and drizzly day. The magnificent curved roof, designed by the world renowned Richard Rogers and engineered by Arup, set the tone for the interior where curves and ellipses dominated the decor. A miserable DCI Coombes was not unduly impressed, however.

“I told the floor supervisor that we were with Scotland Yard and that we were on urgent business, but the best they could do was upgrade us to World Traveller Plus, a sort of premium economy,” Coombes grunted. He hated the States, although he had never actually been there. Full of criminals and brash Americans, he thought glumly.

DS Scott, on the other hand, was excited. This was his first business trip outside the UK and he was determined to make the most of it.

***

Dean Harrison was an ex policeman himself, and so when he heard that the two detectives were in his airport he used his position, as head of security, to usher them quickly past security using the fast track lane.

A few minutes later the three men were sitting in the ultra modern, not so comfortable break out area, reserved for security staff. While they were waiting for the flight to be called, they spent their time reminiscing over a hearty breakfast. Scott had ordered yoghurt, fresh fruit and pain au chocolat, to accompany his orange juice, whilst DCI Coombes was making headway through a full English breakfast. He had cheered up considerably.

“So, you are hoping to interview a suspect in the USA. Lucky you. Furthest I ever got was Hemel Hempstead on the kidnapping and murder of young Gemma Drake. Nasty one, that was.” The two men from the Yard nodded in acknowledgement, but would add nothing more about their assignment.

***

At the time the Detective’s flight to Dulles was making its final approach, 11am in Virginia, Gil Davis was sitting down with some very important people. One of those people was Martin K Sherman. He was a justice of the Supreme Court and an old school friend of Denton Miles Jr, Gil’s grandfather. A man with an imperious manner, white haired and distinguished in appearance, he spoke American with an accent that could have been nurtured at Eton. Despite his stern appearance and manner, he was putty in the hands of attractive young women, including his own grand-daughters who he spoiled mercilessly. As a result he was kindly and affectionate to the assassin who sat before him, baring her soul with tears welling in her eyes.

The second man felt a little uncomfortable. Not as closely linked to the family, he had been asked to repay and old debt by witnessing the meeting. His presence would be helpful as he was currently highly placed in the US Department of Justice.

Gil had explained everything, in her own words, and then had surprised them both by sharing a prepared ‘suggested’ affidavit. It was brief but comprehensive. What they did not know, and could only suspect, was that it was a carefully constructed framework of lies and half truths. Nonetheless, such was the skilful presentation that every negative fact that could have condemned Gillian Davis - Miles to a life sentence was explained away, leaving the inevitable impression that the one-time assassin was just another victim of the system.

James Lorimer was a prosecutor by nature and he believed none of it, but he was there solely to witness that the deposition, affidavit to the Brits, was a true representation of the witnesses’ spoken statements. If James Lorimer had come across this case in his former role, rather than in his current position in the DoJ, he would have pursued this case, confident he could have got a life sentence. Luckily for him it was not a case in which the US had any jurisdiction.

Both men signed the form and the gathered threesome was joined by Elizabeth Chase Miles who, in the last twenty four hours, had become as close to Gil as a sister. Liz also saw herself as Gillian’s protector.

The four sat amiably sharing a pot of English tea and discussing Denton Miles’ potential candidacy. A successful run for the presidency would be an absolute

boon for all four people sipping Earl Grey from a pre civil war tea service.

***

Dee sat alone in her hotel room with her laptop wirelessly connected to the internet, her computer acting as camera and monitor for a Skype video call to her husband back in the UK. Seeing Josh looking relaxed and tanned in their apartment, Dee felt suddenly lonely. She hadn’t held her husband for weeks and she missed him. She missed his touch, his after shave and his quick quips. He could drive her mad when they were together, but when they were apart she just yearned for one of his light hearted insults or an unfunny quip at her expense. She even missed going to watch the football on a Saturday afternoon at West Ham, who were performing no better than they had been last year and who looked doomed to relegation to the Championship.

“I miss you, Dee,” Josh said as he wrapped up the call. “I might just jump on a plane and join you. I have a few days of annual leave due.”

“That would be good, but we shouldn’t waste it on my working days. Let’s wait awhile.”

“OK. But get some rest, you look weary. I’ll speak to you again soon. I love you. Bye.”

As soon as he had gone, tears escaped Dee’s welled up eyes. After years of being strong and independent, she was crying over a man. ‘Get a grip, girl’, she told herself.

She picked up her mobile phone. She had two email messages. The first was from Katie Norman whose acerbic commentary on college life cheered Dee up no end. The second was from Steve Post. DCI Coombs and DS Scott were on their way to Virginia and Gillian Davis had, surprisingly, been keen to speak to them. Her counsel, Pat Gallagher, insisted on accompanying her and holding the interview in a neutral venue. The meeting would be held in the FBI field office in Richmond, Virginia, just a hundred miles along US Highway 60.

Pete and Dee would be allowed to attend, but they would only be permitted to watch from a side room. That would have to be enough. She wanted to see the look on Gillian Davis’ face when she saw the evidence against her for the first time.

Chapter 5 7

FBI Field Office, Richmond, Virginia. Thursday 8:30am.

Just fifteen days after the deaths of the Hokobus, Pete was to witness Gillian Davis’ questioning, and he was looking forward to seeing her squirm.

Whilst they could have had the meeting in the Lynchburg satellite office of the FBI, the impressive building that housed the Richmond field office offered far more facilities. The building had a red brick facade that saw two wings springing from a central atrium. The windows were mostly square and the architecture plain, with the exception of the glazing over the front entrance which had a panel of square glazed windows, topped with a semi circular arrangement of windows above, almost like something one might see in a cathedral. A mock arch, constructed of light.