‘You are fucking destroying my business and if you think that man has done anything, you’ve got it all wrong. He’s worked for me for years as a faithful employee. I’m going to get him a good lawyer because I don’t trust you, or any copper, further than I can throw you.’

Tyler didn’t reply.

*

Jane had been driven to the Winstanley Estate with the search warrant, and the two surveillance officers had radioed in to say they were waiting at the main entrance. When Jane joined them she asked if they knew how the arrest had gone and was interested to hear that Farook seemed to have been waiting for them. He had remained calm, and just asked to wash his hands and get his jacket.

The three of them went up in the lift to the fourth floor. The building was dilapidated and a number of flats were boarded up and empty, suggesting that it was soon going to be demolished. The lift smelled of urine and was covered in graffiti. Reaching the fourth floor, they stepped out onto a worn and stained carpet, and before they reached Farook’s flat they passed two front doors that had been boarded up, with No Entry written on them. The front door of number 418 had been painted a deep blue. A note attached to the letterbox warned against circulars or newspapers. The mat in front of the door looked remarkably fresh and the area by the front door was also clean. The two officers stood beside Jane as she rang the doorbell. It was some time before the door was inched open, with a chain lock still attached. A woman wearing a full niqab peered through the gap, her face hidden. One of the officers held up the warrant.

‘We have permission to enter your flat. This is an authorized search warrant from the Magistrates Court. Please allow us entry.’

The door was closed. Jane rang again and kept her finger on the bell. This time another woman eased it open, wearing a hijab. In faltering English, she asked what they wanted. The officer explained again and showed her the search warrant. She held her hand to take it but the officer told her that she had to allow them entry first. She looked hesitant. For a moment they thought she would shut the door, until Jane moved closer.

‘Are you Aiyla Farook?’

The woman shook her head.

‘I think you should know that we have every right to enter your premises. We can do it politely and respectfully, but if you refuse entry we will have to call uniformed police and break down the door.’

Again the woman hesitated, then slowly eased off the chain. Jane and the two officers entered the small hallway, and the woman stood in front of them with her hand out to check the search warrant. Behind her was the woman in the niqab.