Tom punched the number for Zjelko into his iPhone and was answered almost immediately.

‘Detective Sergeant, so kind of you to call.’ His voice was gruff with a hint of menace.

‘You fucking bastard, you fucking animal. She’s a fucking innocent.’

Branko chuckled. ‘We wanted you to know that we were serious, Novak. We want the card and all copies. If we get it, your family lives. If not, they die. But they won’t die easily, Novak. My men will use your mother’s shears and will cut pieces off them until they beg to be shot. The men who are with your parents are very dangerous and won’t hesitate in putting a bullet in each of their heads. You will bring the card to me at a place of my choosing in London. You will come alone, and I will know immediately if you tell anyone in law enforcement. You have four hours to comply.’ His voice was level, but there was no mistaking the malevolence behind it.

‘I can’t get it by then. It’s in a safe deposit box and by the time I get there it will be closed. They don’t open until nine in the morning. I’ll get it then and bring it to you.’

‘Where is this safety box? You’d better not be shitting me, Novak.’

‘I’ve had a safe deposit box for years. Why wouldn’t I put something so important in there? Your tame policeman must have told you I have one. Come on, be logical.’ This was a calculated risk. Taylor and his people had obviously done a financial profile on Tom when tracking him, and that would have revealed the Holborn bank branch where he had the box. His thoughts briefly turned to the two remaining diamonds tucked safely away there.

There was a pause at the end of the line that seemed interminable.

‘Eleven tomorrow at a place of my choosing. Just remember, Novak: I own you. I will be tracking this phone, so you must leave it on. If you try anything stupid, your mother will lose another finger. I will call you every so often to make sure you’re in London and not trying to do anything stupid. Remember, I will know everything you’re doing. Your family is being held by men who would enjoy killing them and your cooperation is the only way to keep them alive. Now, do you understand, Novak?’

‘I understand,’ said Tom, quietly.

The phone beeped as the call was finished.