Lungu said, ‘I thought they were denied permission?’

‘They were.’

‘So what is the problem?’

‘We don’t have specifics, but we think that a few of their mates are planning to go proactive. Disrupt the ceremony somehow.’

‘How so?’

‘As I said, we don’t know the details. The protestors might try to infiltrate the crowd. Or they could be planning something later on, at the reception party.’

‘Is Mr Seguma in any danger?’

‘We don’t think so, no.’

‘The protestors want to embarrass your boss on national TV,’ Kember put in. ‘Throw paint on his car, toss eggs at him. Shit like that. There’s no real threat.’

‘That’s why they’ve sent you here? Because you’re worried about a handful of troublemakers?’

‘We’re here as a precaution, ma’am. To make sure nothing untoward happens to your boss today. His safety is a top priority.’

A tiny groove formed on Jallow’s brow. He stared at them with his dead, emotionless eyes.

‘Mr Seguma’s security is already taken care of,’ he said. ‘We are perfectly capable of keeping him safe.’

Bowman held up a hand. ‘We’re not looking to tread on anyone’s toes here. We’ll be in the background, at your disposal if you need us.’

‘Shouldn’t this be a job for the police?’ said Lungu.

‘Ordinarily, aye,’ Kember said. ‘But the royal protection officers have got their hands full today as it is, as you can imagine.’

‘Mr Seguma is a high-profile target,’ Bowman stressed. ‘The police are very good at what they do, but this kind of job calls for certain skills. That’s why they’ve asked us to be here.’

Lungu silently regarded them both. The look on her face suggested that, in a contest between a pile of dirt and the two soldiers, she would marginally favour the dirt.

Jallow stood there, eyeballing the soldiers.

‘Have you done any courses?’ Lungu asked.

‘We’ve both completed close-protection training at Hereford. We’ve got plenty of experience guarding VIPs around the world.’

‘Are you armed?’

‘Aye.’ Kember nodded. ‘Pistols and longs.’

Bowman and Kember had been authorised to carry service-issue pistols for the mission. Both men had Glock 17 semi-automatics concealed beneath their grey jackets, secured in leather pancake holsters fastened to their belts. For the heavier stuff they had a pair of Heckler & Koch HK416 assault rifles stored in a lock box bolted into the boot of their Land Rover. The compact variant, with shorter barrels and suppressors attached to the muzzles. They also had plated body armour, spare ammo, and covert radio harnesses strapped to their left shoulders. The radios were connected to earpieces to allow rapid secure comms between the different members of the team.

Jallow said, ‘Where are the others? We were informed that there would be four of you.’