‘I knew I shouldn’t have agreed to let the new face bring the girl,’ said Adebayo. ‘He seemed just like the brothers, though. I didn’t think for a second he would be an undercover officer, the bastard. Police were there within minutes after he fled with the bitch; he must have been a cop.’ The thought pushed away his self-pity, resolve suddenly returning with a vengeance. ‘Get hold of Mira, find out what the fuck is going on and where this bastard came from. I want to know everything about him. Also, call the Brankos’ police and Home Office sources, see who knows what. Money is no object, I’ll pay whatever. The girl will respond to money; if not, do we know where she’s from and where her family are? Then do whatever you can to get me and my brother out on bail.’ Spittle flecked from Adebayo’s mouth as he barked furiously.

‘It won’t be easy, brother,’ said Khan. ‘If the girl gives them a statement and they have undercover recordings you will be charged with rape and remanded. If the Home Office can only charge you with the immigration matters, then I may be able to make the case for bail.’

‘Make it happen. I need to get back out so I can straighten this mess out. Go and speak to Mira and the sources, then come back. I can’t go to prison; not a fucking chance.’

12

Liam Devlin used his warrant card to swipe himself into Ilford Police Station and ascended to the first-floor CID office to hunt for the officer on the case.

Liam found the officer glued to a computer terminal with a phone held to his ear. He acknowledged Liam as he approached his desk with a harassed half-smile.

‘Okay, let me know once she’s done and I’ll get someone along,’ the man barked into the phone and hung up. He was a tired-looking man in his late forties wearing a rumpled, ill-fitting suit. An air of weariness surrounded him like an aura.

‘DS Liam Devlin. I come bearing gifts, my friend.’ Liam smiled a greeting. He handed him a brown envelope containing the notebook and the bagged SD card.

‘I’m DS Pete Lyons from the Sapphire team. I’m taking the rape job over, unfortunately. Are you from SC&O35? I’m hoping you’ve got some evidence with you, as right now I haven’t a fucking clue what’s going on.’