Sir Hubert had dropped Carol at the base of Cullington Dow, a path ran up the hill through to the dairy farm.
“Why have you dropped me here Uncle.”
“Good view of Morton Manor from up there, got your pistol?”
“Herbert, I’m not allowing my niece to go scrambling up any mountain to satisfy your whims, especially not with a gun, horrid things.”
“Now calm down, I’ve only asked her to go up and take a peek. If there’s someone up there with a pair of glasses, a phone and, possibly some armament with which to defend himself with, then Carol will need her pistol."
“Is there?” asked Carol.
“When I went outside with Vincent and the lads before they set off for their exploratory trip, One of the lads said we were being spied upon, he saw a glint from up there. Now if I was planning an attack on Morton, up here is where I‘d be. Directing operations, well away from the action but as close as a radio or one of these portable phones.” Sir Herbert held up his own phone.
“ I grant you Cullington is a good spot to choose, so who’s up there now and it strikes me Uncle Hubert we have left Raulf and Misha in the house by themselves, at least Vincent should have stayed. I really think we should return to Morton now just in case your Director of Operations gets the same thought, that’s supposing he exists.” Carol pocketed her revolver.
“So I’d like you to go up there, or do I have to do it myself? Leave Morton to the Vincent and the lads, just pop up and bring Master Timothy Gaunt down will you.”
“ Ah you’ve never liked your replacement, you seriously expect to find on top of this hill?”
“Yes, probably with a thermos and sandwiches by his side, and a pair of German binoculars no doubt, don’t jump in on him, let him order his troops in first. Now get on with it, your Aunt and I will pick the Inspector up from the village. We’ll be back in half an hour to collect you and your prisoner And Carol if he’s got company come back at once.”
Carol took her tweed coat off and taking her pistol tucked it in her belt, she got out and started up the track, arms and legs swinging in a steady rhythm. Sir Hubert started the car waved at her retreating back and drove off.
Carol continued up past the farm, then took a narrow sidetrack through the brambles toward the lip of the hill. She could keep an eye on the main track and would also approach the top from the rear. As the small path twisted and turned she supposed the farm animals had made it, as there were large patches of rye grass up here besides the blackberry. Eventually she reached the plateau and crawling up carefully she spied out the top. Uncle was right a figure sat in a canvas chair, glasses to his eyes, a rucksack lay beside the chair, probably the thermos and sandwiches she mused.
The figure was speaking quietly so she cautiously moved towards his immediate rear, she checked her watch, plenty of time, and anyhow Uncle could wait for a change. She moved further around to spy out for any companion, but the figure appeared to be alone, so she returned some ten yards behind the chair.
“Are you in place behind the scullery? There is no sight of the soldiers at all so they must be in the woodland, Old woman and the targets are alone,” he listened to the earpiece for a moment. “Right, away you go, good hunting. Dobbs be ready for them, finish within ten minutes gentlemen, we don’t have all day, then come and pick me up, toot twice.”
Carol rose up revolver in hand. “But I do Timothy, have all day if necessary.”
Gaunt swung off his canvas chair, “What the devil…”
“No its only Carol, I wondered why you were so keen to see our old team disbanded, I thought new broom and all that. But Uncle Hubert is waiting down below for you so Dobbs will be tooting till the cows come home.”
Gaunt picked up the two-way radio, but a bullet smashed into his hand. Her silencer have reduced the noise to a sharp phut
“Now no communications please Timothy or the next one goes through the neck, I’ll think we’ll go down the small track, just in case.”
“There’s no one else but you and I here Carol, you won’t shoot me, the government will do a deal, they always do. Gaunt laughed and went to pick up his rucksack.
“No leave that and the chair, just you three metres ahead of me if you please, now move.”
“Your husband works for that idiot Turpin, doesn’t he, who gets the property now Turpin's dead.” Gaunt looked at his watch, “You see Carol all evidence is now gone.”
Carol just flicked her gun and pointed it to his stomach,
“Turn and move Gaunt it’s the County police for you, no government involvement, no secret deals, no M15 covering tracks.”
Gaunt marched down the hill, almost in triumph; he turned and said over his shoulder,
“Carol in our world, there is always room for negotiation, it’s a political reality. You and your Uncle have never grown up. Besides the organisation I’m attached to has unlimited funds, best lawyers. What will I be charged with aiding and abetting the murder of an accountant and Russian waif, whilst on top of a hill two miles away. Oh I don’t think so.”
As they neared the bottom by the farm and the main track Carol ordered Gaunt to stop.
“Who killed Todd Turpin, and Raulf’s parents, Gaunt you know.”
Gaunt turned his head over his shoulder, “Perhaps.”
“Timothy Gaunt you are under arrest for treason,” The Inspector came up from the farm gate with two constables. He then continued reading out the full legal caution.
“He has a chair, a rucksack and binoculars still up there.”
“Righty ho Miss we’ll have someone go up there but we best take Mr. Gaunt over to Cheltenham at once. I understand he will be joining Sir Duncan Arnas there.”
The police moved Gaunt into the police wagon, and Carol waited for her Uncle.
“Uncle Hubert that is most definitely my last job for you.”
“Oh really my dear, but I thought you did it for Raulf and the boy.”
“Tinker and I are to have a family, so I am officially and retired.”
“Oh how wonderful Carol, my sister god bless her would have been pleased.” Lady Hubert kissed her niece on the cheek. “Well Hubert isn’t that great news dear.”
“Um.” Sir Hubert started the engine. “And talking of Tinker, he’s sitting in Dobbs car with Dobbs tied up like a chicken so you best go and relieve him. Bring Dobbs back to Morton for Vincent to take him away.”
“Uncle, how are Raulf and Misha, I heard Gaunt give radio instructions to the killers.”
“Why they are safe, a little scared no doubt but it’s all over now.”