‘So, tell me about your childhood then. Why the UK from Bosnia?’ she asked casually, taking him by surprise.

He certainly didn’t want to talk about his full backstory with someone he’d just met and so he quickly changed the subject. ‘How did you get so adept with computers? You’ll have to be patient with me, I am a Luddite.’ When she frowned at the phrase, he explained, ‘I’m useless with computers.’

‘Just came naturally. My parents bought a second-hand computer and I almost instinctively knew how to operate it. I found a new world in the internet where it didn’t matter that I was a nerd. Before I knew it, I was learning all sorts of techniques on the hacking forums and practicing them on small institutions. I never looked to steal anything, I just got a kick out of breaching security systems. It felt like I was striking back against all the bullies, for some reason.’

‘Impressive. I genuinely don’t have a clue. I spent all my childhood outdoors, fishing and climbing.’

‘Ugh. I hate outdoors, especially when it’s cold. I hate the cold as well.’

‘So, are you living in London?’

‘For two years; my paymasters find it useful to have someone with my skill set available here in case anything comes up.’

‘Like what?’

She raised an eyebrow at Tom. ‘Come on, DS Novak, I could tell you…’ She winked and held his gaze just a little too long with her sparkling, green eyes.

‘…You’d have to kill me,’ said Tom, finishing her sentence for her, slightly uncomfortable at the look in her eyes. He wondered if she was flirting as he shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

‘Come on, we’ve work to do,’ he said.

*

Back in the hotel room, Tom handed the memory card from the camera over to Pet. Within seconds she had the photographs imported to her computer.

‘I’m running them through the CIA and NSA facial recognition database to see if we can ID these guys. It shouldn’t take long.’

The silence was broken by a low-pitched buzzing from one of Pet’s bags. She picked up a bulky mobile phone from within and answered it.

‘Yeah? Okay. He’s here.’ She looked at Tom. ‘Mike wants to speak. This is a secure line, so you can talk freely.’ She tossed the phone to him and returned to the laptop.

‘Mike.’

‘Tom, how’s it going?’

‘Making progress. Pet knows her stuff.’

‘She’s the best there is; an amazing resource, and she’s security cleared so you can tell her anything. You want to tell me the whole story now I have the time to listen?’

Tom sat on the bed and talked Mike through everything.