‘You sadden me, Ms Khan. Your brother was caught trying to steal from me,’ he said. ‘I would not call that a misunderstanding, would you?’ He had gauged that Akbar Khan’s daughter was sharp and astute, but most of all she was patient. She knew when to listen. He liked that, and he hoped she would prove worthy of his time. He was tired of the common criminal. They were boring, too easy to manipulate, easily triggered, with little self-control.

Life was a game to Andrzej Nowak – he liked attention, he liked winning – but a game was only fun when one’s adversary was worthy. Charm flashed across his face, and he sighed deeply. ‘I had hoped for a smarter response from the daughter of the mighty Khan. Perhaps you’ve been sent to negotiate with me on more…intimate terms?’ His eyes fixed on her. She could feel them boring holes into her.

He began removing his tie, sliding it from his collar, and then folding it once, twice, three times. He placed it on the wooden table close to where Jia was sitting. Then he unhooked the brown leather belt he was wearing and pulled at the strap, each of his movements slow and deliberate. Jia glanced around the room: there was one exit and Nowak was sitting between her and the door.

‘What do you say, Ms Khan?’ he said, leaning in towards her, the stale smell of coffee on his breath making her sick. Alone with a man who was feared by many, she could see where his power lay. Andrzej Nowak was a man of no honour, the kind of man who brought a grenade to a knife fight. He cared for nothing but the win. And even that mattered little. She realised that she was his opposite.

Her words came calmly, slowly, decisively. ‘I say that the misunderstanding, Mr Nowak, is your calling me here, and holding my brother hostage in order to negotiate a deal. I understand your grievance, but my father’s business associates are not so sympathetic. They think you killed him.’

A cold smile spread across Nowak’s face. ‘Your father’s colleagues must be upset,’ he said, relishing the moment.

‘As you already know, I am not involved in the business of my family. I won’t disrespect you and pretend that they have not asked me to take over from my father. They have. But I have declined. I want my brother, that is all. After that, the city is yours.’

Nowak leaned back. ‘That is a shame. I like you, Ms Khan. You’re an intelligent woman and I can tell that you have an inquisitive mind. I was hoping we could spend some time getting to know each other but I see now that you are not inclined that way. Truthfully, I’m disappointed to hear that you’re prepared to hand the great Khan empire over so readily.’

‘Really? Why?’ Jia said.