‘The Prime Minister’s exact words were, “I’m not paying those bastards a penny”,’ said Nicholls. ‘But it allows us to open a comms channel with them, play for time, that kind of thing.’

Carr looked at him with expressionless eyes, and a deadpan face.

Then, after a few moments, he smiled.

‘So, Justin,’ he said, looking at his watch. ‘I’m supposed to be out eating steak with a very tidy bird in ten minutes. I need a shower because I smell like a dog from spending the last two hours kicking the shit out of Albanian doormen, and I don’t like being late. Do you want to cut the bullshit, and tell me why you’re really here?’

Chapter 58.

58.

JUSTIN NICHOLLS SIGHED.

‘We’re going to find out where she is,’ he said. ‘But going in officially presents… problems.’

‘Let me guess,’ said Carr. ‘International law? You cannae go in all guns blazing, because the Libyans won’t play ball?’

‘Correct. Look, I’m not going to give you all that black ops, plausible deniability bullshit, but someone’s going to have to bring the two women home.’

Carr chuckled. ‘Like we talked about in my flat, after the IRA thing?’ he said, a mocking smile playing at his lips. ‘You’re sounding a tiny bit like the CIA. Which is not a bad thing, by the way.’

‘As I said, things may be changing. And what’s the harm in me and you looking at some options, and you giving me your professional opinion?’

‘No harm at all,’ said Carr.

‘Before I go any further, are you in? Hypothetically speaking.’

‘If you’re asking me if I’d like to flat-pack the cunts who shot up that beach and scared my little girl, that’s a no-brainer,’ said Carr. ‘Sort of thing I used to do for my day job, and I fucking loved my day job. If I rescued those two birds into the bargain, so much the better. But I’m not suicidal, or stupid, Justin. It would all depend.’

‘On what?’

‘On the plan. And the financial reward. I’m not a charity.’

‘We can deal with the financial side in a moment,’ said Nicholls. ‘Let’s talk about how we might do it.’

‘No,’ said Carr. ‘Time’s marching on. If you want me to miss out on my steak, we’ll deal with the financial side first. You cross that hurdle, you can stick around.’

Nicholls hesitated.

‘Dinnae get me wrong, Justin,’ said Carr. ‘I am extremely sorry for the Prime Minister and her daughter. If I was still in the Mob I’d be champing at the bit.’ He looked around his flat. ‘But I’ve got a nice life, and a daughter of my own who needs me, and I’m not gonnae put all that at risk just because it’d be the right thing to do.’

Nicholls looked at him.

What had Penelope said?