Tom lunged forwards, thrusting a hard, right-footed kick into Filip’s arm, jerking it violently upwards. The pistol roared and bucked with the heavy-grain .44 round smacking into the ceiling. Tom closed the space between them and delivered a devastating elbow-strike which connected with Filip’s temple.

The big Serb crumpled to the floor like a broken chair.

Tom quickly searched the man’s pockets, finding only a single car key and a set of zip-ties. He quickly secured the man’s wrists to his ankles, saying as he did, ‘Pet, I’m coming out. Can you watch out for anyone on the street?’ He stood and lifted the phone to his ear. ‘Pet, you there?’

‘Yes, I’m here. Are you okay?’

‘I’m fine, but we need to get out of here quickly. I’ve taken one of them out but there may be others. Am I clear to come out?’

‘Yes, it’s all quiet out here at the moment.’

Tom quickly left the house via the front door, jogged across the road, and climbed into the Passat passenger seat.

‘Let’s get out of here quick, Pet. I really don’t have the time to speak with the local constabulary.’ Tom smiled at her as he slipped his seat belt on.

‘Are you okay?’ she asked staring directly at him.

‘Eh?’ Tom didn’t seem to understand what she was asking.

‘Tom, I heard everything you said. I heard that Ivan’s dead. I’m asking if you’re okay?’

‘Of course, it’s a bit annoying, but it’s not me that’s dead. Listen, Pet, much as I’d like to give you a full debrief right now, we probably have police on the way right now. So we really ought to get weaving.’

‘I’m just a bit surprised, Tom. You’ve just seen a man dead and been held at gunpoint, and you’re acting like you’ve just come back from a stroll in the park.’

‘Pet, I’m fine, seriously. Please can we go. Like, now?’

Pet put the car in gear and drove away, but something seemed to be bothering her. She was agitated and looked scared, her eyes wide with alarm. Tom felt a definite atmosphere in the car which had not been present before he entered the flat.

‘What’s up?’ Tom said.

‘You, Tom. What the hell are you? I was listening and I’ve never known anything like it.’

‘I’ve no idea what you mean, Pet,’ Tom said, looking confused.

‘You just saw a man killed in cold blood. You just killed a man and you seem like you’ve just been playing dominoes, or something.’

‘What do you expect me to do? Cry? Flap and panic? Not my style, Pet. Also, I didn’t kill anyone. Ivan was dead already and I just knocked Filip out. He’ll be fine, more’s the pity.’ Tom didn’t know where Pet was going with this.