Her doorbell rang promptly at 5:45 a.m. She looked out of her bedroom window to check that it was Elliott before pressing the buzzer to open the downstairs door and waiting for him to climb the three flights of stairs to her flat.

Jane opened the flat door and he gave her an appreciative once-over before taking a small plastic case out of his pocket. Inside was a miniature microphone.

‘I need you to find the best position for this to pick up.’

Jane was not surprised when he opened her jacket for her.

‘I already have an underwire bra and I think it would fit between my breasts,’ she said evenly.

He peered at the buttons on her shirt. ‘Good thinking. OK, open your blouse.’

She took the microphone and found the perfect position for it between her breasts.

‘It’s important the small wire hangs loose but isn’t visible.’ He stepped back as Jane carefully buttoned her blouse. He glanced at his wristwatch. ‘Time to go.’

Whatever Jane had expected from her previous experience with surveillance vehicles, she was impressed by the obo van. The large vehicle was disguised as a drainage company van. Inside there was an electronic console, surveillance screens, cameras and three men wearing well-worn overalls with the drainage company logo. There were no windows. The rear entry door into the van was a high step up and Jane was grateful for Elliott, who almost lifted her in. He quickly closed the door behind him.

‘Did you pick up?’ Elliott asked one of the men sitting by the console.

‘Clear as a bell.’

Only then did Jane realize that the microphone she was wearing was live. As she was shown to a seat, she wondered if the men had also overheard Elliott instructing her to unbutton her blouse. He made no introductions, and without any signal, the van took off.

Elliott passed Jane two pages of notes. He spoke very quietly. ‘Just read them through and decide for yourself how you could bring the subject matter up. The priority is that you don’t give the game away. Stay relaxed and be ready for the fact that he will be surprised to see you there. I’ve given you a few notes as to what you could say, or maybe you can come up with something better.’

Jane nodded and concentrated on the notes.

No one spoke throughout the drive to their destination. Then Elliott picked up a set of headphones and started looking at one of the surveillance screens. She could hear the driver saying they were on Rigg Approach. Elliott leaned towards Jane as they listened to the driver tell them the mobile hamburger van was just opening up. He would do a U-turn and park in their prearranged position.