I went to a shopping complex and found a place that sold cheap clothes. I bought a shirt, trainer pants with deep pockets, slip-on shoes, more pairs of cotton gloves. I had everything bagged by the assistant at the check-out. I never touched any of them, except through the wrappings.

I walked back to the hotel. It was still daylight. The room felt airless, midges hovered in a thick cloud outside the window. The rain had finally ceased in the middle of the day and since then the temperature in the streets had risen. With the window open the room was filled with the sound of cars, motorbikes, music and voices. I lay on the bad-smelling bed for two hours, eyes open, staring at the ceiling. It was crazed with hairline cracks. Sunset came quickly and darkness fell. I was calm. Everything was ready.

I took a clip of ammo from my bag and slotted it into the handle of the gun. Ten rounds, standard issue. One shot would be enough. Maybe two would be necessary.

I practised raising the weapon, clasping it between both hands, taking aim, bracing against the recoil. I had been carrying a weapon most of the time I was on the force, but had never discharged it in anger. Dearth was free of violent crime, of all crime. Like the others I went twice every month to the local firing range. Like the others I kept my gun cleaned and oiled, ready for use. But I had never shot anyone before.

What else could go wrong? The gun was prepared. I was prepared with the gun.

There would be no witnesses. Hari’s undercover deployment was temporarily in suspense, which was why I had chosen this time. I knew where he would be, what he would be doing, what time it would end.

The sound of gunfire at the moment of action? Police automatics are semi-silenced. The barrel has two baffles in an extra chamber. Official policy: weapons must not unduly alarm or disturb people near by. The discharge was loud, but not as loud as most people think a gun sounds. Hari’s combined office and sleeping room was above a music bar. There was live rock music three nights a week – this was one of the nights. I had checked the band: they were loud and used pyrotechnics in their act. Pyrotechnics make a noise too.

Clothes: I would change at the last minute. (I glanced at my wristwatch.)

The rookie’s cartridge cases I had picked up at the range: ready.