‘It was their opinion that if a dispute over ownership were to result in litigation, not only would we lose, but it would be extremely costly. For the time being, the painting will be placed in secure storage until the board make a final decision, though I have no reason to believe they will disagree with our legal advisers and instruct me to return the Rubens to Mr Faulkner.’
Some of the patrons and guests continued to admire the Rubens, aware they would never see it again. William only turned away when the lid of the crate was finally nailed down. A cold shiver went down his spine when he turned to see Beth deep in conversation with Christina Faulkner. He wondered if Christina was telling her the truth about what had happened that night in Monte Carlo.
Mr Booth Watson didn’t acknowledge Sir Julian as they passed each other in the corridor.
‘No prizes for guessing who he’s about to have a consultation with,’ said Grace. ‘What’s the speculation in the robing room?’
‘Faulkner’s looking at six years at least, possibly eight, but it doesn’t help that the tabloids keep referring to him as a modern-day Raffles, rather than the common criminal he is.’
‘But it’s the judge who’ll decide the length of his sentence, not the press,’ said Grace.
‘That’s assuming the jury doesn’t acquit him. You can be sure he’ll have a well-honed story by the time he appears in the witness box, and will deliver it with conviction.’
They left the prison at the same time as Booth Watson entered the interview room.
‘Good morning, Miles,’ he said, slumping down into the chair opposite his client. ‘I do wish you’d stayed put in Melbourne and watched the rest of the Test match, as I recommended.’
‘But if I had,’ said Faulkner, ‘my entire art collection would now be on the other side of the world.’
‘Not if you’d allowed me to handle Warwick in Southampton before he got off the Christina.’
‘Who’s Warwick?’
‘The young detective who visited your wife in Monte Carlo, came to an arrangement with her, and then sealed the deal in bed later that night.’
‘Then you’ll be able to run rings around Warwick when you get him in the witness box.’
‘If he ever gets into the witness box. He certainly wouldn’t if I was advising the other side. I’d let an old pro like Hawksby take the stand, not Warwick. So for now we’ll have to forget him and concentrate on your defence, which is frankly looking a bit frayed at the edges.’
‘What are they charging me with?’
Booth Watson extracted a sheet of paper from his briefcase. ‘“That you did knowingly and wilfully steal a national treasure with no intention of returning it to its rightful owner.” And before you say anything, I should advise you that it would be difficult to claim that you’d never seen the Rembrandt before, as your wife will undoubtedly testify that it’s been in your home in Monte Carlo for the past seven years. And the Crown is also certain to ask, if you didn’t switch the labels on the crates, who did?’
‘What’s the bottom line?’ asked Faulkner.
‘Eight years at most, but more likely six, depending on which judge we get.’
‘Can you fix that, BW?’
‘Not in England, Miles. But I’ve got a public relations team working on your image, and currently you’re seen in the media as a cross between the Scarlet Pimpernel and Raffles. But unfortunately, it’s not public opinion, but a jury, that will decide your fate.’
‘Have you got a get-out-of-jail-free card up your sleeve, BW?’
Booth Watson looked his client in the eye before saying, ‘Only if you’re willing to make one hell of a sacrifice.’
29
THE PRESS HAD a field day. A murder appeal at the Old Bailey and the return of a stolen national treasure both in the same week. Fleet Street couldn’t decide which story to lead with on that Monday morning.
The Guardian favoured Arthur Rainsford and the possibility of a miscarriage of justice, while the Daily Mail was more interested in Miles Faulkner, asking its readers, ‘Raffles or Rasputin?’
The Sun put both of them on its front page and claimed an exclusive by revealing a link between the two men: DC William Warwick had arrested the master art thief, and was engaged to the daughter of the ‘Marylebone Murderer’.
Several newspapers carried profiles of the distinguished defence barristers involved in the two cases, Sir Julian Warwick QC and Mr Booth Watson QC. The Times hinted that they were not on good terms, while the Mirror claimed they were deadly enemies.
William’s and Beth’s loyalties were equally divided. They left the flat in Fulham together that morning but parted on the steps of the Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand to go their separate ways: William to court fourteen to follow the Faulkner trial, while Beth attended court twenty-two to support her father. They both rose as the judges entered their respective domains.
THE CROWN V. RAINSFORD