‘I wish you could have seen Hawksby when he was in the witness box,’ said William. ‘Even the judge was impressed.’
Beth got the message and followed his lead. ‘But didn’t Booth Watson give him a hard time?’
‘No, he didn’t even cross-examine him. He’d obviously decided there was nothing to be gained from it.’
‘And what was Faulkner like on the stand?’
‘Impressive,’ admitted William, ‘if not altogether convincing. He looked a little over-rehearsed and kept putting the blame on his wife.’
‘Surely the jury won’t like that.’
‘Booth Watson took Christina apart yesterday.’ William immediately regretted saying ‘Christina’, and moved quickly on. ‘And Faulkner put the boot in today. He also made a promise that took us all by surprise, although I don’t think he has any intention of keeping it.’
‘That he’d gift the Rubens to the Fitzmolean?’
‘How did you know that?’
‘I rang the gallery during the lunch recess, and Tim Knox told me that Booth Watson had phoned to tell him Faulkner would be donating the Rubens as soon as the trial was over.’
‘That sounds to me distinctly like a bribe,’ said William, as the bus came to a halt in the Fulham Road. ‘Surely the judge will be able to work that out?’
‘Perhaps you should give Faulkner the benefit of the doubt for a change.’
‘I fear that’s exactly what the jury might do. But it will take a lot more than that to convince me he hasn’t been in possession of the Rembrandt for the past seven years.’
‘Do you think we’ll ever be able to go a whole day without discussing either case?’
‘That will depend on whether your father is released and Faulkner is locked up for a very long time.’
‘But what if it’s the other way round?’
32
‘I’M THE BEARER of glad tidings,’ said Booth Watson, as a waiter appeared by his side. ‘But let’s order breakfast first.’
‘Just black coffee, toast and marmalade for me,’ said Faulkner. ‘I’ve lost my appetite.’
‘I’ll have the full English breakfast,’ said Booth Watson. He didn’t speak again until the waiter was out of earshot. ‘I’ve had an approach from the other side. They’re willing to drop the charge of intent to steal if you’ll plead guilty to the lesser offence of knowingly receiving stolen goods.’
‘Bottom line?’ asked Faulkner.
‘If we accept their offer, you’ll probably get a couple of years, which means you’d be released in ten months.’
‘How come?’
‘As long as you behave yourself, you’d only serve half the sentence, with a further two months knocked off as it’s your first offence. You’d be out in time for Christmas.’
‘Ten months in Pentonville isn’t my idea of a generous offer, and more important, it would give Christina enough time to steal my entire collection.’
‘That shouldn’t be a problem,’ said Booth Watson, ‘because while you’re away, I’ll make sure Christina doesn’t get anywhere near any of your properties.’
Faulkner didn’t look convinced. ‘And if I don’t accept their offer?’
‘If you’re found guilty of both offences, theft and receiving, the maximum sentence is eight years, along with a hefty fine.’
‘I don’t give a damn about the fine. I have a feeling Palmer knows he’s fighting a lost cause, and is hoping to save face. In any case, I think the jury’s on my side. At least two of them smiled at me yesterday.’
‘Two’s not enough,’ said Booth Watson, before pausing while a waiter refilled their coffee cups. ‘The foreman looks to me like a retired colonel or the headmaster of a prep school, who’s likely to believe that the punishment should fit the crime.’