‘Okay, we have a possible situation. Novak managed to rescue his parents in Scotland. I don’t know how. The Brankos took them hostage in order to get the SD card but, somehow, he managed to get from London to the Highlands in just a few hours and free them. I can’t get hold of anyone and earlier today Novak showed up in my office threatening me. He knows about you two and says he is bringing us all down,’ Taylor said.

‘Whoa, whoa! Back up, Simon! When did taking hostages become part of the plan? I just got the fucking SD card, and that’s it. I know fuck-all about hostages. What have you got me into?’ Albrechtsen was stunned. His beefy face flushed almost scarlet and his eyes were wide with alarm.

‘I know, I know. But Novak knows all about that. I’ve no idea how. He’s obviously got serious help, and he managed to get to Scotland in a matter of hours and get his hands on high-end weaponry.’

‘Oh, for fuck’s sake!’ said Albrechtsen scrubbing his face with his hands. He sat back, desolate, in his chair, staring up at the parasol they were sitting under.

‘Jonesy, do you know what’s happened to the Brankos and Adebayo?’ Taylor asked.

Jones appeared calmer as he paused, taking a sip of his drink. He knew he was far more implicated than Albrechtsen, having been tracking Novak all along using highly illegal means.

‘Border targeting shows that all the Brankos apart from Mira have left the country. Zjelko got on the Eurostar earlier today and Aleks and Luka both got a flight out to Belgrade this afternoon. It’s not confirmed and is intelligence only, but it should be reliable.’ He spoke in a light Welsh accent and seemed completely calm. ‘Adebayo, we think left yesterday, not using his own passport but possibly using an associate’s. The CCTV has been pulled, and he got on a flight to Lagos at 3pm. He’s also moving most of his financial assets. He’s not coming back.’

Taylor nodded at this information, expected as it was.

‘This, at least, is good news. They’re out of the way all apart from Mira and I don’t think she knows anything about us.’

‘Any ideas on who’s helping Novak?’ asked Jones.