The Highland Falcon Thief Read online

  ‘Thank you, Inspector,’ Uncle Nat said, rising from his seat. ‘Come along, Hal.’

  But Hal didn’t hear him. There was a brass air vent above the Inspector’s head, and something behind it was moving.

  ‘Hal?’

  Hal jumped. ‘Sorry. Coming.’

  Inspector Clyde shook her head. ‘Sergeant Prattle, please show the next guest in.’

  ‘Well, she’s formidable,’ Uncle Nat said as they returned to their table in the dining car.

  ‘She’s mean,’ Hal said quietly, ‘and rude.’

  Uncle Nat nodded. ‘That too,’ he said, pouring himself a cup of tea. ‘But –’ he leaned across the table and lowered his voice to a whisper – ‘we did at least learn for certain when the police think the diamond was stolen.’

  ‘We did?’ Hal’s eyes grew wide as he realized that Uncle Nat had been using the interview to get information.

  ‘We did. The real necklace was removed from the safe in Balmoral yesterday morning and placed around the neck of the princess. According to Sergeant Prattle, she has taken it off only once, and that must have been when we were travelling from Ballater to Aberdeen, else they wouldn’t be asking about it. Whoever swapped the necklace for the fake must have seized the opportunity to make the switch while she was getting dressed in the royal compartment.’ He sat back and grinned at Hal. ‘To be honest, I understand why police officers dislike journalists. We’re a wily bunch.’

  ‘Uncle Nat, you know that secret thing that we talked about last night?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘I need to … um …’ He didn’t want to mention Lenny in the dining car in case anyone heard.

  ‘Pop off somewhere?’

  Hal nodded. ‘I’m not sure how long the thing can be secret for, if you know what I mean.’

  ‘I do. Yes.’ He drained his teacup. ‘I shall go back to the compartment. I have a lot of writing to do. This mystery is a gift to a novelist. If it becomes a book, I might want to use some of your drawings.’

  ‘Really?’

  ‘I’d pay you for them, of course.’ Uncle Nat got up. ‘Right. Good luck, and keep your eyes peeled for clues.’

  Hal walked past the private dining room, as if he were heading to the library. When he reached the sliding door, he turned, eyeing up a cupboard built into the corner. He opened the door a crack and peered inside. He saw crockery, an empty champagne bucket stuffed with cutlery, and – perched on the highest shelf on a neatly folded pile of tablecloths – he saw Lenny.

  ‘Quick!’ she hissed. ‘Get in!’

  Hal climbed up beside her. Lenny pulled the cupboard door shut, plunging them into darkness.

  ‘What are you doing?’ Hal whispered, trying to get comfortable.

  ‘I came in here to get away from the dogs,’ Lenny whispered in his ear. ‘They’re all over the staff carriages. I didn’t realize they’d do the police interviews next door.’

  ‘You shouldn’t be here,’ Hal whispered. ‘You’ll get caught.’

  ‘Listen –’ Lenny pointed to the grate – ‘I’m learning loads.’

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  SPIES AND ALIBIS

  Hal pulled out his sketchbook and pen as he peered through the grate. He could see the back of Inspector Clyde’s head. Isaac was lounging in the armchair, nodding.

  ‘Isaac Adebayo, it says here that you are the royal photographer.’

  ‘I am.’

  ‘Do you have keys to any of the rooms in the royal carriage?’

  Isaac laughed. ‘Nobody ever gives their keys to a photographer.’

  ‘Could you tell us your movements yesterday afternoon, from when you boarded the train at Ballater, until the reception in Aberdeen.’

  Isaac explained that he’d taken photographs of the royal couple boarding the train at Ballater, and then moved to set up in the observation car.

  ‘I followed the royal couple out on to the veranda to photograph them with the Lord Mayor, and then saw the necklace smash along with everyone else – but we were in a tunnel. I didn’t get the picture.’ He sounded dismayed.

  ‘Can anyone confirm your account?’

  ‘Anyone and everyone,’ Isaac replied. ‘Hal was in the observation car, and Milo Essenbach was there.’

  ‘Harrison Beck?’ said Inspector Clyde. Isaac nodded. The hairs on Hal’s neck stood up. ‘Mr Pickle claims he is the thief. He said the boy was, and I quote, “following the princess about like a lost dog and couldn’t take his eyes off the diamond”.’

  ‘Mr Pickle doesn’t like children. Harrison Beck is a good kid.’ Isaac shook his head. ‘Who can blame him for mooning around after the princess and having a little crush?’

  Hal’s jaw dropped open, and Lenny clamped her hands over her mouth to keep from laughing.

  Isaac was dismissed and replaced by Sierra Knight, who perched swan-like on her seat.

  ‘Ms Knight, do you hold any keys to the royal compartment?’ Inspector Clyde asked.

  ‘Oh goodness, no!’ Sierra let out a trill of laughter. ‘I don’t even keep the key to my own room. Lucy looks after it. She’s my assistant, although we’re more like best friends, really.’

  ‘Could you tell us what you were doing yesterday afternoon from the moment you stepped on to the train, until after the reception in Aberdeen.’

  ‘Lucy and I were in our compartment, running through my lines for Thoroughly Modern Millie. It’s my next West End show and …’

  ‘You were together in your compartment all afternoon?’

  ‘Yes, until we reached Aberdeen.’ Sierra smiled. ‘Lucy will tell you exactly the same thing.’

  ‘She’s lying,’ Hal whispered in Lenny’s ear. ‘I saw Lucy in the library, reading a book.’

  Sierra cleared her throat. ‘There was a small, sensitive matter that I wanted to mention. Um, you see …’

  ‘We’re aware of your criminal record, Ms Knight.’

  ‘Oh, you are?’ Sierra blushed. ‘I was very young. I—’

  ‘Theft is theft, Ms Knight. But shoplifting lipstick from a chemist is hardly the same as stealing a priceless diamond.’

  ‘No! Of course not.’

  ‘Right. I think that concludes my questions for now,’ Inspector Clyde said.

  ‘Yes – thank you.’ Sierra got up and backed out of the room, pausing by the door. ‘Oh, there is something else I felt I should mention. The boy, Harrison – just before we got to Aberdeen, he said the strangest thing. He asked the princess if she was worried about her necklace getting stolen. We laughed at the time, but now it seems a bit odd, doesn’t it?’

  Lenny turned to Hal. ‘You idiot,’ she hissed. ‘What did you say that for?’

  Lucy Meadows was the next guest to be interviewed.

  ‘Ms Knight tells us you look after the keys to her room,’ said Inspector Clyde. ‘Is that correct?’

  Lucy nodded. ‘I look after everything for her. I manage her diary, answer her phone, and pack her luggage.’ She sighed. ‘It’s my job.’

  ‘Ms Knight also says you’re good friends …’

  ‘I don’t get my friends to pick up my dirty underwear – do you?’

  ‘Ha!’ Inspector Clyde laughed. ‘No, I do not. Do you have keys to any other part of the train, Miss Meadows?’

  ‘No.’ Lucy replied.

  ‘Sierra Knight and the princess are friends, are they not?’

  ‘They are, but they’re not as close as Sierra makes out, I’ve not set foot in the royal carriage since boarding the train, and neither has Sierra.’

  ‘You’re certain?’

  Lucy nodded. ‘There’s very little I don’t know about Sierra Knight.’

  ‘Ms Knight tells us you were running lines for a play in her compartment yesterday afternoon?’

  ‘Yes. I could probably recite the whole play for you, if you liked.’

  ‘No, you’re all right.’ Inspector Clyde chuckled.

  ‘Lucy’s lying too!’ Hal whispered. ‘Why? What are they hiding?’<
br />
  ‘Lucy’s not lying to protect Sierra, that’s for sure,’ Lenny replied. ‘She doesn’t like her.’

  ‘Then why didn’t she tell the truth about me?’

  ‘You didn’t tell the truth,’ Lenny said, grinning. ‘Perhaps she’s protecting someone.’

  ‘You heard that, then?’

  ‘Yes.’ She gave him a gentle pinch. ‘Thanks for not grassing.’

  Ten minutes later, Lady Lansbury entered the interview room with Trafalgar, who sat by her chair. Inspector Clyde was deferential, but she asked Lady Lansbury the same questions she’d asked everyone else.

  Lady Lansbury replied that she didn’t have keys to the royal compartment and had spent the afternoon in the gentlemen’s lounge – first alone, and then with her gentleman-in-waiting, speaking about her darling dogs.

  Hal nodded. ‘I saw her.’

  Baron Essenbach was next to be brought in, followed by Ernest White. Each confirmed that they had been playing billiards in the games room with the other.

  ‘Do you think Ernest could be Milo’s accomplice?’ Lenny whispered.

  ‘What makes you say that?’

  ‘He used to do Gordon’s job. He could still have his old keys from when he used to be the head steward.’

  Hal frowned. ‘But he loves the royal family.’

  ‘Well, Milo’s getting help from someone.’ Lenny shrugged. ‘It would make sense if it was someone who knows this train like the back of their hand.’

  ‘I suppose he could do with the money,’ Hal replied. ‘And he thought it was funny when Lydia Pickle lost her brooch.’

  Next, Sergeant Prattle showed in Rowan Buck. Inspector Clyde quizzed him about his movements, and Rowan explained that he hadn’t attended the Aberdeen reception with the other guests and did not have an alibi for the journey from Ballater because he’d been tending the dogs, only leaving them briefly to speak with Lady Lansbury.

  ‘No alibi,’ Lenny whispered.

  Hal shook his head. ‘But I saw him with Lady Lansbury, and then later on with the dogs in their cabin when I brought you the scones. He’s telling the truth.’

  Milo Essenbach was next to stroll into the room, and Hal grabbed Lenny’s arm. The two pushed their faces against the grate.

  ‘Mr Essenbach,’ Inspector Clyde said, ‘have you seen or had access to a key to the royal compartment?’

  ‘Nope,’ said Milo. ‘I have not.’

  ‘What were your movements yesterday afternoon after you boarded the train?’

  ‘I went to the observation car to read the paper, but it was freezing. The photographer kept opening the doors to the veranda, so I went to my room and stayed there,’ Milo replied.

  ‘All afternoon?’

  ‘I came out for the flag-waving in Aberdeen.’ He smiled his crooked smile. ‘My father asked me to. I left as soon as that silly bauble smashed.’

  ‘You think a priceless diamond is a silly bauble?’

  ‘It’s pretty.’ Milo shrugged. ‘But what good does it do anyone?’

  ‘He doesn’t have an alibi,’ hissed Lenny as Milo Essenbach got up to leave. ‘And Sierra is lying about hers.’

  Inspector Clyde stood up. ‘Mr Goulde, thank you for letting us use the private dining room for our interviews.’ She gestured to a chair. ‘Sit down, will you?’

  Gordon Goulde took the seat opposite, wringing his hands.

  ‘You hold a set of keys for all of the doors on this train, including the royal compartment, is that correct?’

  ‘Yes, that’s right.’

  ‘Is there anyone else on the train who might have a key for the royal compartment?’

  ‘There are three keys,’ said Gordon. ‘The other two are in the possession of the royal couple and their security guard, Hadrian. When they aren’t travelling on the train, the keys are kept in the bedside drawer of the royal bedroom. They were collected by security when the royal couple boarded.’

  ‘Does that mean anyone could have walked into the compartment on the way up from London and taken one of the keys to make a copy?’ asked Inspector Clyde.

  ‘It was locked until they arrived,’ Gordon explained. ‘I let them in.’

  ‘Do other members of staff have keys?’

  ‘No,’ said Gordon. ‘Only me.’

  ‘And do you ever leave your keys unattended?’

  Gordon stiffened. ‘No, I do not.’

  ‘Very well – I think that concludes our interviews for the moment. Sergeant Prattle and I will check the progress of the search and speak to the rest of your staff this afternoon.’

  Inspector Clyde and Sergeant Prattle stood up and followed Gordon Goulde out, leaving the room empty.

  Lenny turned to Hal. ‘He does leave his keys unattended.’

  ‘You think Milo stole the key to the compartment?’

  ‘No – I did. That’s how I got into the compartment in King’s Cross. I put it back though, once I’d got one of the keys from the drawer inside.’

  ‘Lenny!’

  ‘What?’ She frowned. ‘Don’t look like at me like that.’

  ‘What did you do with that key?’

  ‘I put it back when we were at Ballater, before the security sweep,’ Lenny explained.

  ‘You left the door unlocked?’

  ‘No, I locked it – and then slipped the key underneath the door.’

  ‘Then the Magpie must have got into the royal compartment after you left it, but before the prince and princess got on the train.’

  Lenny nodded. ‘The Magpie would know how to pick the lock. They wouldn’t need a key. I’m surprised Inspector Clyde hasn’t thought of that.’

  ‘I’m sure she has,’ Hal said. ‘Well, Milo and Sierra are the only people who don’t have an alibi for the time the necklaces were switched. So she’s got to be his accomplice.’

  ‘There is one other person who doesn’t have an alibi,’ said Lenny.

  ‘Who?’

  ‘Your uncle.’

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  BATTY MOSS

  Hal shifted uncomfortably. His right leg was dead, and his stomach had turned at the possibility his uncle could be the Magpie. He pushed the thought to the back of his mind. He was sure Uncle Nat wasn’t a thief.

  ‘You can’t stay in here,’ he said to Lenny. ‘Why don’t you hide in our compartment?’

  ‘But your uncle …’

  ‘He knows about you.’

  ‘What? You promised you wouldn’t tell anyone.’

  ‘I didn’t. He figured it out. He’s pretty clever, you know. Anyway, he’s on our side.’

  ‘He is?’

  ‘Yes. Now help me figure out how to get you into our room without someone seeing you.’ He thought for a moment. ‘I could bring Uncle Nat’s hat and raincoat to disguise you. We’re only a few doors past the dining car. There are loads of police walking up and down the train – perhaps no one will notice.’

  ‘That’s a terrible idea.’ Lenny pulled a face. ‘No one would believe I’m a man.’

  ‘Do you have a better plan?’

  Lenny shook her head.

  ‘Right, then. Stay here – I’ll go and get you a disguise.’

  Hal slipped out of the cupboard and returned to the compartment.

  ‘You missed the sniffer dogs,’ Uncle Nat said as he came in. ‘The police have gone through the rooms.’ He was folding his clothes. ‘It’s official: we’re not harbouring stolen jewellery.’

  Hal felt reassured. He knew his uncle was not a thief.

  Uncle Nat looked out of the window, pushing his glasses up his nose. ‘Oh look, Hal – the Yorkshire Dales.’ He stood up. ‘This is where your nana and poppa were from.’ He sighed, gazing out at the craggy windswept hills. ‘To me, the Settle to Carlisle Railway is the most beautiful in the world.’ He looked back at Hal. ‘When my time comes, I think I’d like my ashes scattered here.’

  ‘Like Lady Lansbury’s husband?’ Hal approached the window as the train rattled on to a viaduct, whi
ch soared over a valley. A silver river glimmered below.

  ‘Why not? This is the Ribblehead Viaduct – some people call it Batty Moss. Isn’t that a wonderful name for such an impressive structure?’

  Overwhelmed by vertigo-infused wonder, Hal looked at his grinning uncle and glimpsed the boy he once was. He took a deep breath. ‘Uncle Nat, I need your help. Lenny is trapped in a cupboard in the dining car.’

  ‘She’s what?’ Uncle Nat blinked.

  ‘She hid there, not knowing the police would use the private dining room for their interviews, and now she can’t get out. Can she hide in here? Just till things calm down.’

  ‘I’m not sure things will calm down, it might be a good time for Lenny to come clean and tell the police she’s on board. I’m sure they’d understand. They might already know.’

  ‘But, I promised. You promised.’

  ‘Fine. Bring her here, and when we next stop for coal and water, I’ll go and have a word with Mohanjit. He must know she can’t hide for much longer.’

  ‘Can I borrow your hat and coat?’

  ‘What on earth for?’

  ‘For a disguise.’

  ‘What are you disguising her as? A pint-sized gangster?’ Uncle Nat chuckled. ‘That’ll never work.’

  ‘She can’t just walk here. She’s a stowaway. If anyone sees her, she’ll be in trouble.’

  ‘Hmm … Often the best place to hide something is in full view.’ Uncle Nat tapped a finger to his lip. ‘You said she was in a cupboard?’

  ‘Yes, full of tablecloths and napkins – stuff for the dining car.’

  ‘Great – then that’s what you’ll use.’

  ‘Dress her as a ghost?’

  ‘Ha! It’s not Halloween yet, Hal. No – but I do have an idea.’

  Hal returned to the cupboard, checking the coast was clear before quietly knocking.

  ‘Quick – get out!’ he hissed, and Lenny jumped down. ‘Hold your arms out in front of you,’ he instructed, taking a pile of tablecloths and stacking them high on her outstretched forearms. ‘If anyone comes towards you, lift the tablecloths so they can’t see your face.’

  ‘What if someone comes up behind me?’ Lenny asked.