It moved again just after the text attaching the photograph of Tom was received at 0835 hours. The GPS signal then travelled north towards Camden, crossing Blackfriars Bridge and heading towards Kentish Town. Traffic was always painfully slow at that time of day.

The signal then remained static until the call was received at 1105 hours, when it travelled to Holborn Police Station, where Tom had met Martin.

‘This is great, Pet, thanks. I can trace the sequence of events now. I just need to find out who was using the phone number that called Martin,’ he said.

‘You know the problem with all this data I’m giving you, don’t you?’

‘If you mean I can’t use it as evidence as you’re a deniable asset and this is an unlawful extraction of data, then yes, I do,’ said Tom grimly. ‘I’m not worried about that. I’m just trying to stay alive.’

‘Now that I understand, Detective. I’m hungry, can we get pizza?’

‘Sure. Why not,’ Tom said, suddenly realising he was hungry.

*

The small pizza restaurant was only a short walk from the hotel so they walked slowly, enjoying the cool night air after being cooped up in the stuffy hotel room.

On the way Tom told Pet an abridged version of what had happened. He figured someone with a logical brain might be able offer valuable insights into his next steps.

The restaurant was a typical London chain, with faux Italian prints hung on the walls and staffed by Eastern European waiters. It was almost empty, which suited Tom perfectly.

They both ordered margherita pizzas and beer from the extensive menu.

‘So what next?’ asked Pet as they clinked bottles together.

‘Investigate that phone number. If you can get into the relevant databases, see who has been calling and been called by it. Then we can start getting a bit proactive against them. I need to know who the bent cops are, so I have some leverage going forward. I’ve also got some photos I want you to run through facial recognition.’ He sipped his beer.

Pet nodded. ‘I can get you the data and run the pictures, but I don’t think Mike will give you any surveillance kit or weapons; it’s too risky with the political situation. They couldn’t risk US kit falling into the wrong hands, not with relations between the UK and the new president being what they are.’

‘Then I’ll just have to improvise, I guess. I have a few tricks up my sleeve. I also want to try to get hold of Ivan, the informant, and find out what happened when he got challenged by the Branko brothers. He may know something about how they found out about me.’

‘I understand from Mike that you are a man of many talents.’

Tom looked at Pet, wondering how much she actually knew. ‘I’ve been about a bit,’ he replied cautiously.