Jane smiled. ‘It’ll help when I ask the lab to do ballistics testing with the Ripley revolver and they prove it’s the same gun you seized years ago and was then used in two more robberies – one where a security guard was killed. You’ll be spending the rest of your life in prison where you belong.’

There was a chilling expression on his face as he spoke softly. ‘Your studious homework should have made you realize what I’m capable of . . . and that I’m always one step ahead of the game.’

‘Your arrogance will be your downfall, Murphy.’

‘You better keep your mouth shut, sweetheart, or I will shut it permanently and you won’t be able to tell the lab to do anything.’

Jane could see the two undercover officers in drainage uniforms approaching Murphy from behind, one carrying handcuffs. She knew Murphy had said enough to incriminate himself and Elliott had made the order for him to be arrested.

She leaned forward and whispered in Murphy’s ear, ‘You’re too late, Bill. Operation Countryman have already spoken to the lab and you’re fucked.’

Murphy turned and saw the undercover officers. He started swinging wildly, but then Elliott appeared and, with an almighty right-hander to the jaw, knocked him unconscious. He fell to the ground in a crumpled heap.

*

Jane was impressed by how fast it all went down. It seemed only a matter of a minute or so before an unmarked car pulled in and Murphy was pushed roughly into the back seat with his hands cuffed. The two officers had removed their equipment from the manhole and stashed it in the obo van as Elliott took the box of burgers from her and told the men they could have their breakfast.

He touched Jane’s elbow. ‘Get in the van and let’s get that wire off you.’

Elliott helped her inside while Tommy looked on in total amazement, unable to fathom what had just gone down. Shaking his head, he went back to scraping his hot plate.

Inside the obo van, Elliott had turned his back while Jane removed the microphone. She was just buttoning her shirt when he turned with his hand out to retrieve it.

‘What happens now?’ she said, licking her lips. Her mouth felt so dry.

‘Depends on whether Murphy puts his hands up and pleads guilty, which is unlikely. Whatever happens, I’ll make sure you get the credit you deserve. Without your input, we wouldn’t have got an arrest.’

‘You’ll probably need me to give evidence in court, then,’ Jane said.

‘Yes, but we won’t go broadcasting what you did around the Met. There are some officers who would regard you as a turncoat.’

‘Then they’re no better than Murphy.’

He nodded. ‘That’s the attitude.’

There was a tap on the door. Elliott opened it, then turned to Jane. ‘I’ve got a car here to take you home.’