‘Yeah,’ said Matthew. ‘It was stupid because now we’ll never know.’

Anders rounded on him. Behind him, Socko, Hansen and Rossi began to climb to their feet. ‘Never know what?’

Here we go again, thought Wimpy Jane, wearily.

‘Oh, come on,’ said Luke. ‘Use what little brains you have left. A 14th-century village in Albania is hardly the illegal time travel capital of the world, is it? There’s got to be more to it. Was the time-slip naturally occurring or manufactured? And if the latter, then who funded it? Who supplied them? We’ll never know now, will we? What a wasted opportunity.’ His voice began to rise. ‘You see – that’s what happens when you send out a bunch of barely sentient, moronic . . .’

The librarian appeared. ‘That’s enough. Get out, the lot of you. Take your fight somewhere else.’

‘We’re not fighting,’ said Jane.

‘Look,’ said another officer, not making a move. ‘What does it matter anyway? They’re all dead.’

‘The minions are,’ cried Luke in exasperation. ‘What about the bosses? The money men? The people who matter? Nothing to stop them regrouping somewhere else and doing it all again. Jesus, you people are so bloody stupid sometimes.’

‘It’s another success,’ shouted Anders. ‘OK?’

‘It’s another lost opportunity,’ Luke shouted back, ‘and you’re all too stupid to see it.’

All over the library, people pushed back their chairs and climbed to their feet. And they did it very slowly, which, somehow, is a hundred times worse.

The librarian was backing away.

Wait for me, cried Wimpy Jane.

And then the door opened and Officer North entered. Everyone immediately remembered an important appointment elsewhere.

She watched them go. ‘Not you three,’ she said to Team 236, who were trying to shuffle past her. ‘Sit down.’

They sat. She stared at them and then said, ‘I’m not going to ask, but I am going to give you some good advice. Pick your battles. Starting a fight in an enclosed space where you will be outnumbered at least three to one is not the action of intelligent officers.’ She stared at Luke. ‘Or even one who is going to live long enough to enjoy his lunch. Have I made my point?’

They nodded.

‘Your feelings are shared by more people in this building than you are aware. Including many at a higher level than you three will ever achieve. Leave them to sort it out.’

They nodded again.

‘Right,’ she said briskly. ‘An assignment.’ She paused and then said, ‘You will want to take notes.’

‘Where’s Ellis?’ asked Luke, looking round.

‘Major Ellis is still in the convalescent ward and won’t be returning to duty for at least another week. Until then, you’ve got me.’

The silence was more eloquent than if he’d groaned loudly and shouted, ‘Oh no, anyone but you.’