Sarah listened carefully. Levy seemed confident, she thought. And Sarah already knew that she was more than capable. Her own research into the case had included looking into Levy, which had told her much about the DCI’s meteoric career at Scotland Yard. It had told her far less about Levy’s eight years in Israel, but the silence that followed the open record of her first two years in the Israel Defense Forces could mean one of only two things.

Mossad or Shin Bet.

Either way, a different proposition for Hirst to take on than elderly ex-lawyers or, God help him, Derek Reid, Sarah thought.

Levy was right. Hirst would come after them. But his chances of reaching them – of getting past Levy, let alone her full team – had fallen to none.

Reassured, Sarah’s thoughts turned to the future.

‘And what about Michael?’ She flicked the ash from her cigarette as she spoke. ‘Will you really arrest him when this is all over?’

‘I don’t see that I have any choice about that.’ Levy’s voice was quieter now. Almost apologetic. ‘Michael’s admitted a serious, serious crime. I can’t just ignore that.’

‘A crime that put a psychopath behind bars for fourteen years,’ Sarah argued. She could not accept that their troubles would not end with Hirst’s capture. ‘And for something the bastard had actually done. OK, it’s technically perverting the course of justice, but not real justice?’

‘That makes no difference. What Michael did was an abuse of the system. If we allow that then who knows how many innocent people end up in prison.’

‘But if he hadn’t done it, who knows how many people – how many kids – Hirst would have murdered?’

‘That’s not the point, Sarah,’ Levy was firm. ‘A crime is a crime. Michael knows that. He’s accepted that. And once this is all done with he’s going to have to pay for that. It’s just the way it is.’

Sarah opened her mouth to argue further, but the sound of the opening kitchen door stopped her. She glanced up and saw Michael stepping into the garden.

Sarah took a final draw on her cigarette as Michael approached then stubbed it out as he took the heavy seat at the head of the table.

‘Am I interrupting something?’ Michael looked between Sarah and Levy. Neither had spoken since noticing his arrival.

‘No, nothing,’ Sarah answered. Too quickly, she realised.

‘Seriously,’ Michael asked again. ‘What’s wrong? What’s going on?’

‘Really, Michael. It’s nothing.’

Michael raised an eyebrow towards Levy in response to her answer. His disbelief was obvious. But he did not push the subject when he spoke again.

‘OK. None of my business then, I guess.’ Michael turned to fully face Levy. ‘How are things coming with the safe house?’

‘It’s done, Michael. The house has been arranged. The Close Protection Unit are with Anne Flaherty at Scotland Yard. As soon as you and Sarah are with them they’ll take you to the location together.’