‘He wasn’t there. No sight of him and the staff didn’t recognise the photo of him. The cop assured us that he’d spent seven pounds on his credit card and his mobile phone went live and received some messages. It hit a cell phone mast close to the cafe so, unless it was someone else using his card and phone, he was there.’ Branko spoke in a matter-of-fact tone that infuriated Michael.

‘For fuck’s sake, I thought you had him. This isn’t what I’m paying you for, you fool. He must be caught now!’

There was a pause that seemed endless to Michael.

‘I would advise you not to speak like this to me, Mr Adebayo. I don’t like being insulted. It makes me sad.’

The tone was full of menace and immediately Adebayo regretted his words.

‘I’m sorry. I’m just stressed.’

‘We are on the trail and we have some other options to bring him out of hiding. Don’t worry, we’ll find him.’

15

Tom returned to his hotel room at about 6pm, after a circuitous route back using public transport to make sure he hadn’t been followed. He felt secure in the hotel for the time being, knowing it could have no links back to him.

Feeling uncomfortable in his cheap suit, he ripped it off and hung it in the wardrobe before taking a long, hot shower, grunting as the jets washed away some of the stress of the last few days. He towelled-off and dressed in his casual clothes to await the arrival of the CIA consultant.

He switched on the TV and turned to the twenty-four-hour rolling news programme. Nothing of any interest was showing; the usual threats of terror and political malfeasance. It always amazed Tom how quickly deplorable situations became the everyday norm in the UK.

His burner phone buzzed on the bed. He picked it up and answered with a ‘Hello?’

‘Tom? Stan. You free to speak?’

‘Crack on, mate. I’m clear.’

‘Right, your friend Martin Green doesn’t exist. There’s only two in the Met, neither of which are your man. The warrant number is a dead one from a PC who transferred to North Yorkshire a good while ago. Her name was Jill Buchanan. With me so far?’

‘Yes, mate. Go on.’