‘Let’s go over the timing once again,’ said Juan. ‘We’ll leave here at midnight, so by the time we reach the house Faulkner and most of his staff should be sound asleep.’

‘But not the guards,’ William reminded them.

‘There are six of them in all,’ said Juan. ‘They work around the clock in eight-hour shifts. One pair will be on patrol from ten o’clock tonight until six tomorrow morning. We know that it takes them fourteen minutes to carry out a complete circuit of the house, and they take a fifteen-minute break around two in the morning.’

‘How did you get hold of such valuable intel?’ asked Ross.

‘One of my men still can’t make up his mind if he wants to be a gardener or a policeman, so for the past three weeks he’s been both.’

A rare look of respect crossed Ross’s face.

‘Right,’ said William, ‘let’s go over the plan one last time. Juan, don’t hesitate to query even the slightest detail you’re unsure about, because, one thing’s for certain, we won’t be given a third chance.’ He felt this must be what it was like to be a mountaineer attempting to conquer Everest. He had planned the expedition and would lead them to base camp, at which point Ross, as climbing leader, would take over, with the task of getting them to the summit, in this case an open window on the fourth floor of the house. Once they were inside the building, William would resume command.

After everyone had been briefed yet again on their individual responsibilities, they took a break for a meal they barely touched, as heightened anticipation, accompanied by a rush of adrenaline, took over.

Finally, they changed into outfits more suited to criminals than upholders of the law. Sleeveless black T-shirts, black tracksuits, black socks, black trainers, even black laces.

‘Not on my watch,’ said Juan, as Ross took off his jacket to reveal a gun in its holster. ‘My boss has made it clear there will be no firearms on this operation.’

‘I hope your boss has mentioned that to Faulkner’s guards,’ said Ross.

‘They won’t be any trouble when they realize we’re police officers,’ said Juan.

‘Right,’ said Ross. ‘So once you’ve pointed that out, they’re just going to stick their hands in the air and say, “Fair cop, guv.”’

‘DI Hogan,’ said William sharply, ‘don’t forget we’re guests in this country, and the success of this operation is entirely dependent on the local police’s cooperation.’

‘Yes, sir,’ said Ross, as he reluctantly handed his gun to Sanchez. But it was all he could do to prevent himself from adding, Then I’ll have to strangle him, won’t I?

They spent the next half hour pacing around the room like caged animals desperate to be released, especially Ross, who when the curtain rose had no intention of keeping to the script.

‘Let’s move,’ said Juan, when the first of several church clocks began to strike twelve times, reminding William they were in a Catholic country.