But first, he wanted to talk to the bent copper. They used burner phones, one-time-use mobile devices that were disposed of after each transaction, to avoid being traced. Some geek on the other side of the world might be able to track the phone via satellite, but never the purchaser. Even the mobile virtual network operator could provide data from a one-off use mobile such as Jason used all the time, but he never gave a name when purchasing one, so it was foolproof if you stuck to the plan and discarded the gadget after every contact. They were cheap, reliable and utterly untraceable to a human being. Adam was sloppy with his and kept them for longer than he should. It would be easy to trace him to this warehouse if Jason could get a message to somebody. He was owed that much. He’d done what was asked of him; how the hell was he expected to know that the woman who was jogging through Potton Park when his brother was tripping off his tits on ket would turn out to be pals with the gaffer? No one, that was who.

He took a burner phone from his pocket and dialled the number recently given to him: they changed frequently. It was answered quickly and the exchange was short. A meeting place was arranged.

He’d go alone.

Chapter 45

Kelly waved at Johnny. They’d found each other in Potton Park, after a few phone calls. She wanted to check in with them all. She was acutely aware that these things could easily turn ugly. Callum and Josie were chomping on burgers, and the smell of cooking fat and burnt sugar filled the air. It was like a fair.

They watched as hundreds of people of all ages gathered in preparation for the speeches and the proposed march to police HQ. Kelly wondered if it would actually go ahead. Sometimes events like this talked the talk but fell flat. Ted treated everybody to hot chocolate and they hugged the plastic cups to warm their hands. Kelly still had a lot to do, but seeing her family was a welcome diversion, even if it was a short one. Rob had come with her, and was chatting to Johnny about security and potential flash points around the park. They nodded and gestured, and Kelly wondered why Johnny hadn’t joined the force after he left the army. She knew the answer, though: he’d had enough of watching people do awful things to one another.

Sharon, Thomas and Millie were at the front of the crowd, on a hastily erected stage, where somebody had set up a PA system. Sharon was due to give a speech before the march set off; Kelly wanted to hear it but suspected she wouldn’t have time. The crowd stilled and a man took the microphone and greeted the crowd, then introduced Sharon.