‘This visit to the American Embassy is a matter of extreme sensitivity.’ Yeah, thought Mickey. Got any other revelations for me? Water is wet, perhaps? ‘If it gets out that the minister has been questioned by the CIA then all sorts of rabbits will be set running.’

Jasmine was in the loop then. A strong indication that the commissioner had no clue just how loose-lipped her senior officer was. She continued, her voice hard with excited purpose.

‘The PM has made it very clear that this needs to be conducted with absolute discretion.’

In which case, Mickey mused, why the fuck are we planning to run him into town in a three-car blue-light convoy? Why not just put him in the back of a boggo saloon car and make the whole thing invisible? Jasmine Chen had obviously thought that one through.

‘And before you ask me, no, we can’t do an incognito job on this. Don’t ask me to get into the politics of it; we’d be here half an hour. Let’s just call this a show of strength.’

Strength. Mickey rolled his eyes at the brilliance of the self-deception involved. And kept his reply neutral in tone. Not allowing the cynicism and disgust he was feeling to break the outwardly tranquil surface. ‘Ma’am.’

‘Is that all you’re going to say all the way through this conversation?’

‘Ma’am?’ Mickey fighting the urge to giggle at the absurdity. But sticking firmly to his minimal communication line.

‘Fine. You have your orders, Sergeant, carry them out. You and I will have to have a different conversation once it’s done though.’

‘Yes, ma’am.’

Wanting to ask if there’d be a transcript for the Clarion, or would she brief them verbatim? But restraining himself by the skin of his teeth. Knowing that powder would explode most effectively if kept dry until the right moment. The moment when he needed it, rather when it would make him feel better.

‘That’s all, Sergeant. Just try to stay off the trigger this once? We don’t need any more corpses.’

She ended the call without waiting for a response. Leaving Mickey wondering what the hell that last comment might have meant. Surely not…?

‘Special Escort Group are here, Skip.’

Wade, breaking his chain of thought with an interjection around the half-open door.

‘Excellent. It’s about time I got the chance to talk to some normal coppers.’