‘Because, Ms Khan – and I feel you of all people should be able to understand my predicament – I’m bored. This life of privilege that you and I have lived, it’s dull. I envy ordinary folk, and their daily need to wake up and go into the world and make something of themselves. No one ever wanted anything of me. It’s hard watching the ants go about their business. You understand that, I can tell. I start thinking I’ve met an equal, I plan, I wait, and then they disappoint me. It’s always the way. I need distraction.’

His face broke into another smile and Jia noticed that one of his teeth was cracked and yellowing, his face lined like the contours on a map. How had she not seen it before? She recognised exactly what he was; she had come face to face with his kind in court countless times. She leaned back in her chair, grateful for the cashmere cardigan she had picked up before she left: his words had chilled her to the bone.

‘My brother, Mr Nowak,’ she said. ‘That is all I am here to talk about.’

‘Just like a woman, thinking always of her family. Come, then, I will take you to him. He is in our guest quarters,’ he said, rising. ‘This way.’ He pointed to the back of the restaurant.

Jia got up and signalled to Michael, who was standing out the front by the car. He entered and they followed Nowak across the dining area to the back door, which opened on to a cobbled alleyway.

Nowak led them along the alleyway and on towards a dark archway, where two of his men were waiting. He stopped by a discreet wooden door recessed into the wall of the arch and turned the cast iron handle. It creaked opened slowly to reveal steps going down.

‘Ladies first,’ said Nowak and waited for Jia.

She looked into the stairwell, cold air and the smell of iron and petrol wafting up from it. It occurred to her that this could be a trap. She turned to Michael, who understood immediately. Without hesitation, he descended the clanging metal staircase. There was a thud as his boots hit the ground below – and then silence. It felt like an age before he called up, ‘OK.’ She followed him down.

They found themselves in an underground car park, the only light coming from the stairwell behind them and a ramp at one end of the long basement.