‘If the Russians take control of Karatandu, they’re gaining a vital strategic foothold in Central Africa. Moscow would love that. Those bastards have been desperate for a slice of the action in the region. They could start making moves on the neighbouring countries. Like the old days, when the Soviet Union was a player in Africa.’

Lang shook his head vigorously. ‘I don’t know nothing about that. Look, I’ve told you everything I know, I swear.’

Mallet fixed his merciless gaze on him. The eyes of a born killer.

‘You’d better not be lying to us,’ he said. ‘Because if we find out that you’ve withheld information, or sold us a pack of lies, we’ll soon know about it.’

Bowman heard the clacking of fingers on a keyboard. Then the Voice said, ‘This interview is terminated. John, we’ll speak again later. Once we’ve consulted with our colleagues in the Foreign Office. In the meantime, sit tight.’

‘What about my deal?’ Lang demanded.

‘Our team will have to put together a protection package. That will take some time. We’ll be in touch.’

Bowman said, ‘What are we going to do about the Russians?’

‘Clearly, we cannot allow them to force President Seguma out of office. We’ll have to discuss the situation, figure out how to respond.’

‘How long will that take?’

‘Half an hour, perhaps. The Foreign Secretary is on the other line, waiting to be briefed. We’ll have something for you by ten o’clock.’

The call ended. Mallet closed the screen and turned to Bowman.

‘Check in with Tiny,’ he said. ‘Let him know we might be here for a while.’

‘We’ll need to update the others, too,’ Bowman said.

‘Later. Once we’ve heard back from Six.’

‘What about him?’ Bowman pointed to Lang.

‘Davey Boy can wait here with us.’ Mallet grinned at the mobster. ‘We don’t want you in the same room as Seguma. You might put ideas in his head.’

Bowman typed out a short text message to Loader. He popped his head through the door to the staff quarters to check on Roidhead, then returned to the living room. They passed the minutes watching Sky News. The attack at the wedding was still the main story. The rest of the news barely warranted a look-in. There was a brief report on the trade war between the US and China. A thirty-second segment on the elections in Australia. An earthquake had struck in Italy. Another high-street fashion chain had gone into administration.