The old man nodded. ‘“Fight them and Allah will punish them by your hands, lay them low, and cover them with shame,”’ he said, quoting from the Qur’an. ‘“Therefore smite them on their necks and every joint and incapacitate them. Strike off their heads and cut off each of their fingers and toes. He will help you over them, and we will fight them until there is no more disbelief and all submit to the religion of Allah alone.”’

From around the room came murmurs of reverence at the sacred words they had all known since boyhood. ‘Now let us have some tea,’ said al-Rashid, gesturing over to one of his men who stood by a sideboard with a silver tray filled with cups and saucers, ‘and we will talk more.’

The tea was served, and while they drank the old Imam seemed to be watching Nazim with a curious eye. After a time he observed, ‘You appear troubled, my son. What is the matter?’

Nazim was afraid to tell him what was on his mind, about the man he’d seen at the window of the woman’s apartment that morning. Even more afraid to have to confess that he’d allowed the man to go free. Such errors would not go unpunished. So Nazim just smiled and said, ‘Forgive me if I seemed distracted. I was just going over the details of the plan in my mind.’

‘Be at peace, Nazim,’ the old man reassured him. ‘Remember the message with which our Lord inspired the angels: “I am with you. Give firmness to the Believers. I will terrorise the unbelievers. And for those who believe and do good deeds will be gardens; the fulfilment of all desires.”’

Soon after, it was time for the Asr, or afternoon prayer. All in the room prostrated themselves facing east towards Mecca, to symbolise the unity of the Islamic Ummah. The wise old man led the recitation of the four rakats that offered their devoted service to Allah.

Once their prayers were done, Ibrahim al-Rashid and his retinue made to leave for the airport. There were smiles and handshakes and warm assurances that they would all meet again, in this world or the next. The bodyguards checked the corridor, then the old man was escorted from the suite and left.

One of the men left inside the suite was a younger member called Sarfaraz Baqri. He was a loyal soldier who had been involved with a number of operations in France. He was strong on the technical side and knew a lot about chemicals and electronics, and his reputation as the techno-whizzkid of the gang was the reason Nazim now wanted his advice. Sarfaraz was talking to another trusted associate named Mohammed when Nazim took them aside and said he wanted to speak privately.