The back door to the police station flew open and Taylor stormed out in shirt sleeves, his gaudy tie loosened. Anger was written all over his face as he walked to his Jaguar. The indicator lights flashed as he pointed the key at the car, then he climbed inside and reversed the car out of the response bay, straight to the space in front of Tom. Tom kept himself low but was confident that the uniform would mean that Taylor wouldn’t even offer him a glance.

Taylor swung the door open and stepped out, slamming it violently while pointing the key at the car: Tom’s cue to press the rubberised button on the roll-jam. Nothing happened: no flashing indicators and no noise from the Jaguar. Taylor paused for a moment and then pressed again, a frustrated look on his face, and the Jag’s lights flashed with a ‘blip’ noise. Taylor didn’t miss a beat and strode angrily towards the back door of the nick.

Tom watched him return to the police station and disappear back inside, leaving the yard all peaceful once more.

Tom removed the borrowed uniform items and got out of the carrier, pointing the roll-jam at the Jag as he did so. The lights flashed, and the blip indicated that the kit had worked perfectly. Tom didn’t skulk or hesitate as that would have just attracted more attention than if he was brazen and obvious. He walked straight up to the car, pocketing the roll-jam and pulling out the GSM bug in a smooth motion. Opening the door, he squatted on his haunches and took out the bug, snapping it onto the underside of one of the seats. It attached with a reassuring metallic click. Taking out the roll-jam again, he pressed the button once more and the familiar blip told him that the car was now locked and secure. Perfect!

He tucked the device back in his pocket and took his burner phone out and dialled Pet, who answered immediately. ‘Give me good news, Detective.’

‘I’m going to give you a number for a GSM bug I’ve just planted in Taylor’s car. It’s voice-activated, but I want you to dial into it and set it to record via your computer once I give you the word. Also, make sure any text messages he sends are forwarded over to me as well.’

Tom read the phone number out from the SIM packaging. A tone from the phone in his ear told him that another text had arrived.

‘Got it. Ready when you are.’

‘Good girl, speak soon.’ Tom hung up and checked the screen on his phone.

‘Back in his office and he looks pissed off!’ read Stan’s message.