Without pausing to pick up the knife, Starsky launched himself at her, his hands aiming for her throat. But Adele was too fast. She attacked his head and body using rapid martial arts moves. He staggered backwards, leaving room for his friend to lunge at her.

Then the hefty man was upon her. Adele felt a sharp punch in her face. Quickly recovering, she came back at him. They traded blows: her swift kickboxing moves against his heavy fists and bulky frame. A roundhouse kick sent him scudding backwards. But before she could advance, Starsky recovered. This time he came straight at her with the knife.

Then everything happened at once. The sound of running feet in the corridor. The shadow of a man speeding past the door. A gunshot. The knife at her throat.

As Starsky gripped her from behind, his knife grazing her throat, his friend sped out of the office and up the corridor. Adele felt a sharp prick as Starsky held the knife closer, nicking her flesh till a trickle of blood ran down her neck. She heard another two shots. Then Glynn was at the door, gun in hand, with Peter behind.

‘Drop the fuckin’ knife!’ Glynn demanded, but Starsky resisted.

Glynn’s gun was pointing at the man, who was using Adele as a shield.

‘No fuckin’ way!’ said Starsky. ‘Stand back so I can get out.’

‘Please, Glynn,’ begged Adele, her voice shaking. ‘He’ll stab me if you don’t let him past.’

Glynn and Peter stood to one side but Glynn’s eyes never left the man. His hard stare was intimidating even to Adele, who he was trying to protect. There was now a clear path through to the office door.

‘Move!’ Starsky ordered Adele, pushing her from behind.

They edged slowly to the door. As they passed Glynn and Peter, the man swivelled Adele around to give him cover. Then he stepped backwards still holding tightly onto her until he reached the door. Adele could feel his harried breath on the back of her neck. She was trembling now, her legs shaking as she took each terrifying step.

When he released her Adele slumped to the floor, her legs giving way beneath her. The man flew up the corridor. She felt Glynn push past her. Then Peter was by her side.

‘You OK, sis?’ he asked, his voice full of concern.

The sound of gunshot rang out again. Three shots. Then silence. Peter helped her to her feet while shouting out, ‘Glynn. Are you OK?’

But there was no reply. Adele heard the sound of someone running up the corridor again. This time there was only one set of footsteps.

‘Come on, let’s get you sat down,’ said Peter, putting his arm around her and steering her to the chair.

She could feel her heart pounding, partly with shock, partly with fear over Glynn.