Donnie let out a long sigh. ‘Jesus, man. What the fuck are you going to do?’

Tom paused. If he told Donnie the whole truth, he probably wouldn’t drop him off, thinking it was a suicide mission. A little white lie was required.

‘I’ve managed to get up here hours before they could expect me. If you can take me up to the bothy, I can kit-up and put in a close-target recce ahead of a rescue which I’m being helped with by the Americans. I can’t trust anyone in the police as there’s a corrupt cell that will blow it all up and get Cameron and Shona killed.’

‘What do they want from you?’

‘They want a memory card that shows a corrupt solicitor raping a woman as well as his involvement in organised crime. I filmed him while undercover.’

‘Why not give it to them, then?’

‘They’ll kill Cameron and Shona whatever happens, then they’ll kill me. They can’t leave us alive: the lawyer is a multi-millionaire and I know too much. These bastards are ruthless monsters, Donnie.’

Donnie turned to look at the Pelican case that Tom had tossed on the back seat of the Mondeo.

‘I take it that suspicious-looking peli-case you have there doesn’t contain your clothes?’

‘The American friend who organised the flight has sorted me out with more than I need to defend myself. I also have satellite cover and communications equipment. I need some kit and clothes from the bothy for the CTR before the rescue. I’ll freeze in what I’m wearing right now.’

For a full minute Donnie was silent before he eventually said, ‘Cameron pulled my arse out of the fire on more than one occasion. I owe him everything.’ He stared at the airfield in front of them. ‘Come on, Tommy-boy. The helo is waiting for us.’

*

Tom and Donnie approached the helicopter, which had a line mechanic attending to the front wheel assembly.

‘All set to go, Jim-boy?’ Donnie said to the mechanic.

‘All set, boss,’ replied Jim-boy.

Donnie tossed the Mondeo keys to him, saying, ‘We won’t be long; just up to the Cairngorms for a wee drop-off, pal.’

‘She’s full of fuel and all systems are looking good.’

‘Never expected anything else, Jim-boy. See you in a bit.’

They approached the open cabin side door, where a crew member in an orange flight suit and helmet sat waiting for them. As they walked, Donnie said, ‘We’ll head in and set you down by the base at Bynack More, which doesn’t take us over the farmhouse. There’s no need to give the enemy a free look at us. That’s only a short hop to the bothy. You worked out how you’re going to get to the farmhouse?’

‘Yeah, I can get there in about forty minutes, I reckon. Gives me plenty of time to set up for a CTR.’