‘I suppose it can only be a brothel or some kind of porn. I know he’s brought girls over from China. They work from flats in Bayswater and Wardour Street. They come over ostensibly as part of a household and stay on supposedly working for a particular family. In effect they’re locked up all day and night until they can be trusted to go out alone. You must remember, most of these girls worked in small-time brothels at home. Over here they feel like they’ve come upmarket. And you know the Chinks - once they own the girl, that girl is theirs for life. It’s as simple as that.’

Alan laughed grimly. ‘Oh, I know what the Chinks are capable of, mate, none better. As for Stephen, do you think he’d be involved in beasting, real beasting, kids and that?’

Mario looked at the desk and said sadly, ‘Without a shadow of a doubt. Stephen has no qualms about anything. People are commodities to him. A girl of twelve on the game isn’t much different to one of sixteen, in his eyes. He does the baby phone lines as well, where the girls pretend to be little kids. I don’t think Stephen gives a flying fuck what he does or who he does it to. That’s why I’m so concerned about Donna.’

Alan nodded thoughtfully. ‘I think you have every reason to worry about her if all you say is true.’

Mario looked anxious. ‘So you’ll send someone out there then, to keep an eye on her?’

Alan took a large puff on his cigar.

‘I’ll do that all right, Mario, my son. In fact, I think I’ll go myself.’ He saw Mario’s look of surprise and pretended not to.

‘There’s a flight tonight from Gatwick at eight-fifteen. I can get you on it.’

‘Then I think you’d better do it.’

‘A friend of mine works at Gatwick on the bookings, see. It was how I found out where Donna had gone. I just hope she doesn’t get there and antagonise Stephen because there’s something else I found out as well . . .’

Alan frowned. ‘What’s that then?’

‘Stephen has been working for, and with, Donald Lewis for the last five years.’

‘What!’ Alan’s face was incredulous. ‘How the fuck did you find that one out?’