The Ukrainian examined Fabel’s expression for signs of sarcasm. There was none.

‘No. You’re right. But by this stage in the war we were suffering from Vietnam syndrome: we were fighting an unequal battle where our superior numbers, resources and technology should have assured us an easy victory, but we were being solidly beaten and we desperately wanted a way out with the minimum of disgrace. That meant that by eighty-seven, eighty-eight, the Soviet authorities were becoming slightly more sensitive to world opinion. And Vitrenko’s actions were becoming more and more …’ he struggled for the word – ‘unpleasant. So the GRU sent me in with two Spetznaz detachments to track down and re-establish control of Vitrenko and his unit.’

‘And did you?’

The Ukrainian leaned against the wall and lit the cigarette. Then he signalled to the blonde-haired girl, who handed him a buff-coloured envelope.

‘Yes. Eventually. And Vitrenko and his men were commended for exceptional courage behind enemy lines.’ He tossed the envelope at Fabel, who made a fumbling catch. ‘But the things I encountered on the way … I tell you Fabel, I have seen some terrible things in my life, as you can imagine, but it was as if I were on the trail of the Devil himself …’

Friday 20 June, 9.40 p.m. Niederhafen, Hamburg.

The two surveillance men could not get close enough to the boat to see what was happening. Paul ordered the two Mobiles Einsatz Kommando officers, clad in their dark body armour, coveralls and helmets, to move in closer. One managed to get into a position advanced enough to get the bead of his Heckler and Koch on MacSwain’s torso as he sat in the rear of the boat, handing a glass of Sekt wine to Anna Wolff.

In the command van, Maria received a return phone call from the Wasserschutzpolizei: they had a launch on its way and it would be positioned with a clear view of the exit of the Niederhafen onto the Elbe’s main water-traffic lanes. If MacSwain moved out into the river, they could pick him up and follow at a discreet distance. The Wasserschutzpolizei’s only concern was that MacSwain’s boat was clearly a fast vessel that could give their launch a run for its money. Maria had already placed a request for a helicopter to stand by. None of these precautions cleared the frown from Paul Lindemann’s brow. What had added to his concern was that Maria had not been able to raise Fabel on his cell phone, getting his voice mail instead: why had Fabel switched off his phone when he had promised he could be contacted all night?

The late evening air had developed a chilled edge and Anna gave another involuntary shiver as MacSwain handed her the glass of sparkling Sekt.

‘Just a moment …’ MacSwain slid open the two small doors that were sculpted to follow the smooth curve of the facing panel. They opened onto the steps that led to a small but brightly lit cabin area. While MacSwain had his back to her, Anna sniffed at the wine and took a tentative sip. She smelled and tasted nothing but the crispness of German champagne; but she knew that Rohypnol or GHB was almost impossible to detect in any beverage. She took a fuller mouthful and repeated her silent mantra in her head: I don’t feel too well.