Once the rope had been removed, the chief deckhand stood aside to allow Carter to perform the opening ceremony, but he still pretended to need Grant’s assistance to force open the rusty old lock. William could only wonder in what antiques shop Carter had come across such a convincing prop. When the lid was finally lifted, there followed a moment of total silence, as everyone on deck stared down in disbelief at the 712 silver cob coins. Only Carter knew the exact number.
The ship’s company cheered as Grant picked up the casket and cradled it in his arms as if it were an only child who had been rescued from the sea. He then walked slowly towards the private quarters, a smiling Carter following a pace behind.
The captain announced to the crew that they would be returning to port immediately, but every deckhand would still receive a full week’s pay. This elicited an even louder cheer.
10.54 GMT
‘Commander Hawksby’s office.’
‘It’s Bruce Lamont, Angela. Can you put me through to the boss?’
‘He’s still in Italy, Bruce. I’m not expecting him back until Monday.’
‘Any hope of him staying there?’
‘I beg your pardon, chief inspector?’
‘You never heard me say that, Angela.’
‘Can it wait until Monday?’
‘It will have to. But, then, I’m getting rather used to waiting around only to find that no one’s there.’
12.36 CET
Once the ship had docked, William and Monti leant over the railing and watched as Grant lugged the casket down the gangway. He was still clutching it as he climbed into the back seat of a waiting car.
William recognized the driver. Funny, he thought, that he knew exactly what time he would be needed to pick up his two passengers although they had no way of communicating with each other. Carter shook hands with the captain, the chief
deckhand and the two divers, revealing who was in on the plot. He then walked down the gangway and joined Grant in the back of the car.
As the car drove off, and before William could ask, Monti said, ‘Don’t worry, they’re being tailed. In any case, we know exactly where they’re going.’
‘But if they were to change their plans?’ said William.
‘We’ll arrest them, steal the box and retire.’
William laughed as a smartly dressed man in a double-breasted blazer strolled past the ship and headed back to his hotel, looking like a wealthy tourist.
William and Monti stood in line with the rest of the crew to receive a full week’s pay. Not cheap, thought William, but then Carter needed the bit-part players to repeat a plausible version of what they had witnessed to their families and friends, and anyone else who cared to listen.
When they had both signed off, they made their way back to Hawksby’s hotel, where he was waiting for them. This time William was allowed to take a shower, and Monti shaved and brushed his teeth for the first time in days.
Once they’d changed back into their own clothes, they joined Hawksby for lunch. Not that William was hungry. They were just finishing the main course when a waiter approached their table and told Lieutenant Monti there was a call for him, which he could take at the desk.
‘Good man, Monti,’ said Hawksby, raising a glass after he’d left the table.
‘He certainly is,’ said William, as he poured himself another glass of wine. ‘I wonder how Operation Blue Period went?’
Hawksby checked his watch. ‘It will be over by now, one way or the other,’ he said as the lieutenant reappeared and took his seat.
‘I can confirm that a wooden casket containing over seven hundred silver cob coins has been handed in to the Italian Naval Office in Rome. A Mr Carter has produced his authorized stamped licence, and is claiming the find as treasure trove, a Mr Booth Watson by his side.’
The Hawk and William banged the table with the palms of their hands.
‘Mr Carter was last seen having his photograph taken while chatting to journalists about his remarkable find,’ said Monti, as William refilled his glass. ‘How do you want to take it from here, sir?’
‘I’m in no hurry,’ replied Hawksby. ‘The wheels of government always grind slowly, so why not allow the villains to enjoy a few days spending their unearned profits before we let the world know their amazing find is not, after all, worth over seven hundred thousand pounds, but a few thousand at best.’