‘The real Jane Dieulafoy was a French archaeologist who died in 1916. Like I said, a lot of people give me fake names on the first contact. Usually it’s because they’re either full of crap or they’re clinically insane, but either way they don’t have anything interesting to offer me. Now and then, I get one who hides their real identity because they actually have something to say, hence they’re scared shitless. Your Romy was one of those. Something in her message caught my attention. One thing, in particular. That’s why I eventually decided to return the call.’

‘Then it sounds like we can help each other,’ Ben said. ‘We each have information to trade. Are you based in Paris? I’m headed back towards the city and I have time on my hands right now, if you do.’

‘I’m not giving out my address.’

‘I’m not asking for it. We could meet at a public place. Somewhere crowded and busy. Then you’ve got nothing to worry about. If you think I’m full of crap or clinically insane you can just get up and walk away.’

She fell silent again, hesitating before answering. ‘Okay, then, I’m interested in hearing what you’ve got. But it had better be good.’ She named a popular café on Boulevard du Montparnasse, in the sixth arrondissement. ‘Do you know it?’

‘I know where it is.’

‘One hour,’ Françoise Schell said.

Meanwhile, Nazim’s men had moved fast. Sarfaraz, the whizzkid, had been whisked back to his place by Muhammad in the silver Mercedes, along with their other colleague called Mohammed. While they were still on the road Nazim had called his Parisian associate and demanded the Juneau woman’s mobile number. His associate had little choice in the matter.

Once he had the number, Nazim phoned Sarfaraz, who duly fed it into his GPS phone tracking app. Sarfaraz called back within five minutes.

‘Okay, I nailed him for you, just like I promised. He’s on the move. A flashing red dot on my radar screen, and I can follow him wherever he goes.’

Nazim felt his blood stir. Modern technology might be generally considered haram by Islamic purists, but it certainly had its uses. ‘Where is he now?’

‘About ten kilometres north-east of the city centre, incoming.’

‘I want you to follow him. Don’t use the silver Mercedes, he’s seen it.’ Paris was full of silver Mercedes, but Nazim knew how observant the man with no name was. All his kind were trained to notice details.

Sarfaraz said, ‘I have another car. It’s a Mercedes too, but it’s black.’

‘Take Mohammed and Muhammad with you. See where he goes, and report back to me.’

‘Do we need to bring anything with us?’ Sarfaraz was referring to armament.