A women’s shoe shop. Michael knew it well; it was Sarah’s favourite. And so he knew that it was very different from the previous store, which sold Scandinavian toys. Either this man was buying some very varied gifts on a snowy January morning, or Michael’s instincts were right.

Shit.

*

‘Mitchell has eyes on Devlin. He’s covering from the Town Hall.’

The voice in Romeo Meyer’s ear came from the first member of the observation team. Special Agent Tad Brooke. Brooke had observed Devlin from his home until the Town Hall, where he had been relieved by Mitchell.

It was standard observation protocol. A succession of agents, all following a target for a specified portion of that target’s expected journey. Designed to ensure that no one agent was active long enough to be noticed. At least, that was the usual intention.

‘Understood.’

Romeo was speaking from his own position, just outside of Sloane Square Underground Station. Still half a mile west.

He continued.

‘Mitchell, you online?’

‘Here.’ Mitchell’s voice was deeper than Brooke’s. Distinctive.

‘Did he make you?’

‘One hundred per cent.’

‘Good. Stay on him ’til Smith Street.’

‘Understood.’

Romeo looked westwards from the station. Towards the King’s Road and – unseen right now – Michael Devlin. He allowed himself a small smile as he considered what was about to happen.

The operation had been planned to the last detail. Two agents engaged so far, Brooke and Mitchell. Plus two more to come.

Robinson would pick up the observation at Smith Street and see it through to Duke of York Square and the Saatchi Gallery. The last leg would be covered by Clegg, from one Square to another. Duke of York to Sloane. Both would be more discreet than Mitchell. The plan required that they were not noticed.

And then it would be Romeo’s turn. A short leg, compared to the others, but with a big responsibility. It was Romeo’s job to be spotted as well. To confirm Devlin’s suspicions and his fears, just as he descended to the station’s platform.

The platform where Special Agent Frank Hart would be waiting.

There would be no mistakes this time. No near miss. Hart would do what Hart did best. He would remain unseen, letting Devlin’s fears do the work for them. It would be Devlin’s desperation to board the train – to reach the safety it provided – that would put him in position. That would make him force his way to the edge of the platform. It was just human nature, after all.

Only then, when the time was right would Hart approach. One firm push. And Devlin would find himself beneath the wheels of a thirty tonne District Line carriage.

An accidental victim of Sloane Square Station’s rush-hour overcrowding. Unfortunate. Tragic. And just about the least suspicious way a man like Michael Devlin could die.

Exactly as Kelvin Cunningham had demanded.

The thought made Romeo’s smile grow wider. This time he would get the credit he was due.