Carver nodded obediently and left and Vernon lit a cigarette and moved across to the fire. He stared down into the flames, a frown on his face. What could have possibly gone wrong? It didn’t make any kind of sense. The thing was foolproof.

The door swung open behind him and Carver came in looking pale and excited. ‘A couple of coppers out front, Mr Vernon.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Certain – I can smell ’em a mile away. I’ll show you.’

Vernon followed him out into the corridor and Carver turned into the cloakroom and paused by the window. ‘I came in for my overcoat. Lucky I didn’t turn on the light.’ He pointed across to the sycamore on the other side of the fence beyond the first street lamp. ‘There, in the shadows.’

‘Yes, I’ve got them.’

‘What do you think?’

‘I think it stinks to high heaven,’ Vernon said, and the telephone started to ring in the other room.

He moved back quickly, Carver at his heels, and stood by the desk looking down at the ’phone.

‘It’s Morgan,’ Carver said. ‘It has to be. Who else would be ringing in at this time in the morning?’

‘We’ll see shall we? You take it on the extension.’ Vernon lifted the receiver. ‘Max Vernon here.’

‘That you, old man?’ Craig’s voice rang mockingly in his ear. ‘I’m afraid Joe Morgan and his boys won’t be able to join you after all. They ran into a little trouble.’

Vernon sank down in his chair. ‘I’ll kill you for this, Craig.’

‘You’ve had it,’ Craig said cheerfully. ‘Joe Morgan and his boys are being squeezed dry at this very moment. How long do you think it will be before one of them spills his guts? You’re on borrowed time, Vernon.’

‘As long as I’ve enough left for you that’s all I ask,’ Vernon said.

‘Sorry, old man. I’ve decided to take myself off into the country for a couple of days’ shooting. Nothing like a change of pace. If you want me, you’ll have to come looking.’

He was still chuckling as Vernon slammed down the receiver. Carver replaced the extension ’phone, a bewildered look on his face. ‘But how could he have known?’

‘How the hell do I know? Another of his damned gadgets probably.’

‘What do we do now?’

‘Get out while the going’s good – on foot the back way. I’ve got an old Ford brake parked in a lock-up garage on the other side of the river. I always did believe in covering every eventuality.’

‘Where are we going, Mr Vernon – Ireland?’

‘You can if you like. I can manage a couple of hundred. That should see you through.’

‘What about you?’

Vernon unlocked a drawer in his desk and took out a Luger pistol. ‘I’ve got an account to settle.’