‘Hold your horses. I’m getting there. It’s just a random drone at GCHQ. I’ve already spoken to him, and it turns out that I’m not the first person wanting to know who’s been asking after the Nortons. He’s had a visit from MI5, and he told them what he told me.’

‘Which was?’

‘That he was making enquiries on behalf of a lawyer by the name of Teresa Oakley.’

‘Shit,’ said Abbott, and ended the call.

Chapter 45

CHAPTER 45

Cuckoo wasn’t to know, of course, but Tess’s given name was Teresa – Teresa Lacey. Her married name, however, was Oakley.

Right away, Abbott dialled her.

No reply.

Another call was coming through. ‘Hi, I’m your courier. I’m outside.’ Abbott stood, picked up his Jiffy bag and made his way to reception, trying Tess again at the same time, preoccupied as he handed over his package to the courier.

‘Cheers, mate,’ said the courier, his voice muffled by the helmet he wore. He turned and left reception, past the vending machines they had there, out into the car park, where Abbott could see his bike was parked. Again, he tried Tess. Again, there was no reply. Straight to voicemail. ‘Hello, you have reached the voicemail of . . .’

‘Come on, Tess. Come on . . .’ he was muttering to himself. At the same time, he realised that he had forgotten to provide the courier with the full address. Looking out into the car park, it seemed that the courier had come to the same conclusion at the same time. Seeing Abbott still in reception he hailed him and began to trot back towards the building.

Behind him, two Range Rovers glided into the car park.

A warning bell in Abbott’s brain went off as from the Range Rovers stepped several men wearing black cargo pants and T-shirts, polo shirts and sunglasses even though they were not needed. Abbott watched as they swarmed over the courier. He saw a Sig Sauer produced. Suppressed, of course, the sign that these guys meant business. And if there was any doubt in his mind, then the next gun he saw sealed the deal. A CZ 75B, the Czech-made pistol that was famed for its reliability and accuracy. Posers didn’t bother with it; it was one for the professionals. In the next second, the courier was being clubbed to the ground, the Jiffy bag was snatched, and in Abbott’s ear he heard, ‘You have reached the voicemail of . . .’

The men had all drawn their weapons. They were advancing to the hotel entrance. Abbott swung and saw that the receptionist had appeared. Their eyes met and he saw the betrayal in her face. He’d pushed his luck staying here in the first place, let alone remaining here after the Kemptown job. Now it looked like they’d come to make him pay.