She coughed and a trickle of blood seeped from the corner of her mouth. George planted the knife neatly into the middle of her shoulder blade, burying the blade up the hilt.

Elaine fell forward, and George watched her arms and legs twitch in the final throes of death. Finally he sighed.

Elaine was still, her cheek was pressed against the white tiles and her green eyes stared vacantly at the skirting board.

George knelt beside her body and tidied the orange hair, pushing it around her still face. Elaine had always been such a difficult woman but now she was at peace.

He made himself another cup of coffee and sat drinking it quietly, watching her body.

A little while later he began to whistle once more through his teeth. He had to make some plans now. He had to sort everything out.

At least this way he had saved her the knowledge of the pittance that had been offered to him. She would never have let him live it down.

He glanced at the clock. It was three fifteen. He wouldn’t be able to do anything just yet. He made himself a sandwich and took it into the lounge. He’d watch one of his films and relax. It had been a very trying day.

Tony Jones watched the man sitting opposite him. Larry Steinberg could get anyone anything. He was nicknamed ‘Harrods’ among the villains he dealt with because of this. If you wanted a Nepalese yak Larry would find one, and at a reasonable price. Tony watched the tiny man push his pince-nez up along the bridge of his nose, settling them just below the large lump in it.

‘I had a bit of trouble with this one, Tone, but I managed it for you as quick as I could. Needs must when the devil drives, eh? What did you say you wanted it for?’

‘I didn’t.’

‘Oh, well, you obviously have your own reasons. My friends in the passport office are getting very expensive these days. But for you, a good friend, I do it for the old price.’

Tony took a brown envelope from his inside pocket and placed it on the desk. Larry opened it and counted the money carefully. One thousand pounds exactly. Not a bad day’s work. He opened a drawer and passed a small burgundy-coloured passport across the desk.

‘I even got you one of the new EEC ones.’

Tony opened it and looked at his photograph staring out of the page.

‘Thanks, Larry. I owe you one, I think.’

He stood up, putting the passport into his top pocket. Larry watched him leave the office and then walked to the window. From there he watched Tony cross the road and hail a black cab.

Larry was intrigued.