‘Cops,’ said Two Knives.

The siren blipped again. The police car was directly behind them so there was no doubt that it was the truck that they were signalling to stop.

‘I’m going to have to pull over,’ said Crazy Boy.

‘What do they want?’

‘How the hell do I know what they want?’ said Crazy Boy. ‘We weren’t speeding. Maybe it’s a random stop.’

‘Do they do that?’

‘Who the hell knows?’ said Crazy Boy. ‘Maybe there’s something loose at the back. Just stay cool, we’ll be fine.’

Two Knives peered at the car in the mirror. ‘It’s a regular traffic car,’ he said.

‘Hide the khat,’ said Crazy Boy as he slowed the truck and indicated that he was pulling in.

‘Khat’s legal in England,’ said Two Knives.

‘Just do it,’ said Crazy Boy. ‘Let’s not give them any excuse.’

He pulled on to the hard shoulder as Two Knives shoved the bag under his seat. Crazy Boy watched in his side mirror as the rear door of the police car opened and a cop in a fluorescent jacket climbed out. The cop carefully put on his peaked hat and then walked towards the truck holding a clipboard.

‘Get the guns ready, just in case,’ said Crazy Boy.

‘You think we’ve got trouble?’

‘Let’s see what he wants. But give me my gun.’

Two Knives opened the glove compartment and took out two Smith & Wesson revolvers. He gave one to Crazy Boy and held the other one down at his side in his left hand.

The cop walked up to Crazy Boy’s window and motioned for him to wind it down. Crazy Boy did as he was told. ‘Yes, officer, is there a problem?’ He kept his gun down at the side of the door, his finger on the trigger.

Everyone in the room was looking up at the main screen, which was showing a live feed from a CCTV camera on the M25. They were looking at the truck from the rear, and even on full zoom they couldn’t make out much detail. They could see the truck and the police car behind it, its lights still flashing. And they could see a figure in a fluorescent jacket standing next to the cab of the truck, holding a clipboard.

Button was fingering the thin gold chain around her neck. ‘Please be careful, Spider,’ she whispered.

Shepherd looked up at Crazy Boy. ‘I need you to both step out of the vehicle, please, sir,’ he said, keeping his voice flat and emotionless as if he was just a bored traffic cop doing his job.

‘What’s wrong?’ asked Crazy Boy.

‘I just need you at the rear of the vehicle. And your passenger. And bring with you any paperwork you have plus your driving licence and insurance.’

‘We weren’t speeding,’ said Crazy Boy.

‘Please, sir, if you would just get out of the cab we’ll get this sorted and get you and your load on your way.’