Khan looked sweaty and his breathing was shallow and rapid as he fidgeted with his prayer beads. ‘I’ve no more money, Mr Adebayo. None. You must give me mine back; my case is gone, I will be deported. I don’t want to get you into trouble, but I will tell the police if you don’t.’

Adebayo held the nervous man with a fixed, dead gaze.

‘Sit,’ he commanded, indicating the chair in front of his desk. He did not answer but picked up his iPhone and dialled a number, holding the phone in front of him. The handset sprang into life, voices clearly audible. Adebayo turned the screen to face Khan. Visible on the video call was the green door to a small, one-roomed house in a dim terrace. A military fatigue-clad arm stretched out and knocked at the door. The door was answered by a young girl, aged about twenty and dressed in a threadbare Shalwar Kameez.

She looked terrified. ‘Yes?’ she said in a voice so quiet it was barely audible.

‘Rayaan!’ screamed Khan. ‘My sister! You fucking bastard!’ He leapt to his feet but was restrained from behind by Emmanuel, powerful arms wrapping him in a bear-hug, forcing him to watch. On the screen a fist rocketed into view and connected with his sister’s nose, knocking her to the floor, blood immediately streaming. The girl let out a piercing scream and the picture disappeared. Adebayo set the phone down quietly on the desk and fixed the babbling man with a glare.

‘If you ever come to my office again or if you go to the police or anyone, I will have her fingers removed and posted to you. She will be violated by many men and the house burnt to the ground. You dare threaten me, you fucking worm!’

Khan was sobbing now: unrestrained, destroyed, all options gone, all hope gone.

‘Get him out of here.’

Emmanuel dragged the smaller man out of the office and, as the door closed, Adebayo smiled his cruel smile and picked up the phone again.

9

It was a month since Tom had last been to Kilburn nick and he entered the building reluctantly, knowing his boss would have the hump with him. DCI Simon Taylor didn’t like it when his staff knew something he didn’t, although Tom of course had no intention of enlightening him.

He went up to the canteen on the second floor and bought a cup of tea, steeling himself for the inevitable supercilious attitude his DCI would no doubt heap on him.