A Prisoner of Birth Read online

  ‘Let’s hope I live up to your expectations.’

  ‘Nothing wrong with my expectations,’ said Mori, ‘although you’re typical of someone who gets himself educated outside of the mainstream and then imagines he has a lot of catching up to do. I think you’ll find, Nick, that when the time comes to take your exams, you’ll have not only caught up, but overtaken most of your contemporaries.’

  ‘I’m flattered, professor,’ said Danny.

  ‘I don’t do flattery,’ said the professor as he turned his attention to another student.

  Danny marched out on to the street to find Big Al holding open the back door of his car. ‘Anyone been following us today?’

  ‘Naw, boss,’ said Big Al, climbing behind the wheel.

  Danny didn’t let Big Al know that he thought it was quite possible that someone was following them. He wondered how much time he had left before Craig stumbled across the truth, if he hadn’t done so already. Danny only needed a couple more days before his probation would be completed, and then the whole world would know the truth.

  When they drew up outside The Boltons, Danny jumped out and ran into the house.

  ‘Do you want some tea?’ Molly asked as he bounded up the stairs.

  ‘No thanks, I’m going for a run.’

  Danny threw off his clothes and put on his running kit. He had decided to go on an extended run as he needed time to think about his meeting with Alex Redmayne the following morning. As he ran out of the front door, he saw Big Al making his way down to the kitchen, no doubt to grab a cup of tea with Molly before he left to pick up Beth. Danny jogged off down the road in the direction of the Embankment, a flood of adrenalin being released after sitting on his backside and listening to lectures for most of the day.

  As he ran past Cheyne Walk he avoided looking up at Sarah’s apartment, where he knew her brother was now living. If he had done so, he might have spotted another man he would have recognized standing by an open window taking a photograph of him. Danny continued towards Parliament Square, and when he passed the St Stephen’s entrance to the House of Commons he thought about Payne and wondered where he was now.

  He was standing on the opposite side of the road focusing his camera, trying to look like a tourist taking a picture of Big Ben.

  ‘Did you get a half-decent photograph?’ asked Craig.

  ‘Enough to fill a gallery,’ replied Payne.

  ‘Well done. Bring them over to my place now, and we can have a look at them over dinner.’

  ‘Pizza again?’ said Payne.

  ‘Not for much longer. Once Hugo Moncrieff pays up, we’ll not only finish off Cartwright, but make a handsome profit at the same time, which I’m fairly confident wasn’t part of his long-term plan.’

  ‘I’m not quite sure what Davenport has done to deserve his million.’

  ‘I agree, but he’s still a bit flaky, and we don’t need him opening his mouth at the wrong time, especially now he’s living with Sarah. See you soon, Gerald.’

  Craig put the phone down, poured himself a drink and thought about what he was going to say before he called the man he’d been looking forward to having a word with all week.

  ‘Could I speak to Detective Sergeant Fuller?’ he said when the phone was answered.

  ‘Inspector Fuller,’ said a voice. ‘Who shall I say is calling?’

  ‘Spencer Craig. I’m a barrister.’

  ‘I’ll put you through, sir.’

  ‘Mr Craig, it’s been a long time since I’ve heard from you. I’m unlikely to forget the last occasion you called.’

  ‘Nor me,’ said Craig, ‘and that’s the reason I’m phoning this time, inspector – many congratulations.’

  ‘Thank you,’ said Fuller, ‘but I find it hard to believe that’s the only reason you called.’

  ‘You’re right,’ said Craig, laughing. ‘But I do have a piece of information that might make your promotion to chief inspector even quicker.’

  ‘You have my full attention,’ said Fuller.

  ‘But I have to make it clear, inspector, that you didn’t get the information from me. I’m sure you’ll understand why, once you discover who’s involved. And I’d rather not talk about it over the phone.’

  ‘Of course,’ said Fuller, ‘so where and when would you like to meet?’

  ‘The Sherlock Holmes, twelve fifteen tomorrow?’

  ‘How appropriate,’ said Fuller. ‘I’ll see you there, Mr Craig.’

  Craig put the phone down and thought he’d make one more call before Gerald turned up, but just as he picked up the phone, the doorbell rang. When he opened the door he found Payne standing under the porch, grinning. He hadn’t seen him looking so pleased with himself for some time. Payne walked straight past Craig without uttering a word, marched into the kitchen and spread six photographs out on the table.

  Craig looked down at the images and immediately understood why Payne was so smug. Just above the knee on Danny’s left leg was a scar from a wound that Craig remembered inflicting, and although the scar had faded, it was still clear to the naked eye.

  ‘That’s all the evidence Fuller will need,’ said Craig as he picked up the kitchen phone and dialled a number in Scotland.

  ‘Hugo Moncrieff,’ said a voice.

  ‘Soon to be Sir Hugo,’ said Craig.

  70

  ‘AS YOU KNOW, Nicholas, this will be our last meeting.’

  ‘Yes, Ms Bennett.’

  ‘We have not always seen eye to eye, but I do feel that we have both come through the experience unscathed.’

  ‘I agree, Ms Bennett.’

  ‘When you walk out of this building for the last time, you will be a free man, having completed your licence.’

  ‘Yes, Ms Bennett.’

  ‘But before I can sign you off officially, I have to ask you a few questions.’

  ‘Of course, Ms Bennett.’

  She picked up a chewed biro and looked down at the long list of questions that the Home Office requires to be answered before a prisoner can finally be discharged.

  ‘Are you currently taking any drugs?’

  ‘No, Ms Bennett.’

  ‘Have you recently been tempted to commit a crime?’

  ‘Not recently, Ms Bennett.’

  ‘During the past year have you mixed with any known criminals?’

  ‘Not known criminals,’ said Danny. Ms Bennett looked up. ‘But I’ve stopped mixing with them, and have no desire to meet up with them again unless it’s in court.’

  ‘I’m relieved to hear that,’ said Ms Bennett as she ticked the relevant box. ‘Do you still have somewhere to live?’

  ‘Yes, but I anticipate moving quite soon.’ The pen hovered. ‘To a place I’ve been to before, which is officially sanctioned.’ The biro ticked another box.

  ‘Are you presently living with your family?’

  ‘Yes, I am.’

  Ms Bennett looked up again. ‘The last time I asked you that question, Nicholas, you told me that you were living alone.’

  ‘We’ve recently been reconciled.’

  ‘I’m delighted to hear that, Nicholas,’ she said, a third of the boxes ticked.

  ‘Do you have any dependants?’

  ‘Yes, one daughter, Christy.’

  ‘So are you presently living with your wife and daughter?’

  ‘Beth and I are engaged, and as soon as I’ve sorted out one or two problems I still have to deal with, we plan to be married.’

  ‘I’m delighted to hear that,’ said Ms Bennett. ‘Might the Probation Service be able to assist you with these problems?’

  ‘It’s kind of you to ask, Ms Bennett, but I don’t think so. However, I do have an appointment with my counsel tomorrow morning, and I’m rather hoping that he will be able to help me move things along.’

  ‘I see,’ said Ms Bennett, returning to her questions. ‘Does your partner have a full-time job?’

  ‘Yes she does,’ said Danny. ‘She is the PA to the chairman of a City in