Wicks was clearly shaken and horrified by the dramatic turn of events. He was a former pharmacist who had become a small-time assassin and realised that, with this particular job, he was way out of his depth. Hembury could almost taste the fear coming from his attacker and knew it wouldn’t take long to break him.

“As things stand, you are facing forty years for the attempted murder of a police lieutenant and, I can guarantee, you won’t enjoy the company of the inmates at Pelican Bay.”

Pelican Bay State Prison was a maximum-security institution that housed over two thousand of California’s most violent criminals. Wicks knew of its horrendous reputation and had no plans to experience its delights first-hand. Tears rolled down his cheeks as he spoke for the first time.

“I want to cut a deal. I’ll tell you everything I know.”

Hembury pulled up a chair and sat just a few feet away. “Go on, we’re listening.”

Wicks was sweating profusely and shaking like a leaf. He made every effort to compose himself, took a deep breath and began to tell his story. “My name is Aaron Wicks and I used to be a pharmacist. A few years ago, I set up a site on the Dark Web and I take money to kill people.”

Wicks divulged the entire background to his attack on Hembury, including the highly unusual request from his anonymous employer to act at incredibly short notice. He explained he only agreed to take the job because of the enormous half-a-million-dollar fee.

Hembury signalled to Vargas to join him at the other side of the room. “Nic, the timing makes total sense. Wicks was booked less than an hour after I spoke with Franklin. But, yet again, we can’t prove a direct link.”

Hembury walked back across the room and sat down opposite the hitman. “You are going to send a message to your employer confirming the job was successful.”

Wicks nodded. “I’ll need my laptop and it’s in Santa Monica.”

Hembury leaned across and stared into the frightened eyes of the broken hitman.

“Let’s go.”

Richard Franklin relaxed on the king-size bed in his Marriott suite and poured himself a large bourbon from the bottle Cathy had especially requested be left in his room. He reached across for his laptop. As soon as he logged on to the Tor browser, a ping sounded to indicate he had a new message: Operation was a success. Please conclude the transaction.