‘I am not happy at the way they treated you. They are basic, Kazakhs. They think you connect to a murder. I can see you are not a murderer. Could your embassy not help? Where are they?’

‘I’ve no idea. I’m here on business, not diplomatic duties.’

‘And what is the business?’

‘I’m looking into some investment opportunities.’

He nodded, sipped his tea. Eventually he said, ‘What if we said we knew where she was?’ He met my eyes. His were bright. Then he looked away again, as if embarrassed.

I forced myself to say, ‘Who?’

‘We don’t. No one does, it seems. But what if we found out?’

‘What do you want?’

Cherenkov scratched his goatee.

‘Building D,’ he said. ‘Shefford. I would like you to give me a glimpse inside. What has been going on there?’

I was transported briefly back to Bedfordshire. He had created the link I had been looking for, even if it led through unknown terrain. Joanna’s disappearance connected to her earlier work. At the same time, he’d shown me his cards. When you know what your enemy wants, you’re halfway to owning them.

‘I’ve no idea what you’re talking about,’ I said.

‘You’d let her die rather than helping me.’

‘You’ve got me confused with someone.’

He nodded.

‘The situation is this, Mr Kane: you are in trouble. You need a friend. Not ideal, a Russian friend, but here I am.’

‘I’m leaving now. Don’t try to stop me.’

‘How could we stop you? At the same time, what are you going to do? I don’t want you to be killed. But I think there are people who will kill you, Elliot. If any more unpleasant circumstances arise, we may not be in a position to do much. Then you will want to help us and it will be too late.’

Cherenkov reached inside his jacket. I checked my exit route, potential cover, potential weapons of my own. He produced a silver case, gave me a business card with the Russian doubleheaded eagle. Dr Sergei Cherenkov, Assistant to the Cultural Attaché, Russian Embassy, Astana.

‘You’re expecting me to work for you?’ I said.

‘In my experience, you’re working for whoever keeps you alive. Help us or leave fast, that is my advice. Give me a call any time. We can find Joanna together.’

‘Joanna who?’

He shook his head sadly. ‘We’ll give you a lift back to your hotel.’

‘I’ll walk.’

‘Wrap up warm.’ The eggs arrived and he spread a napkin on his lap. I left the café, hailed a cab from the next street, took it to the centre of town.

So Russian intelligence wanted to know about Building D. Either Joanna’s previous work had followed her over here, or she never stopped.

Stevenson called.

‘We’ve got a small lead.’

‘What is it?’