There was a short pause. ‘I know the name. But I never met her. I’ve heard she’s in the same line of work as you and Colin. Runs an operation somewhere in East Anglia. Keeps herself to herself, by all accounts. Oh, and I heard that after Colin … died, her name came up when people was questioned. That’s all I know. Sorry I can’t be more help, mate.’

‘Do you know anyone who does know her?’

An exhalation of breath. ‘There’s this geezer out Chelmsford way. A friend of Charlie’s, if you get my meaning?’

A cocaine dealer, Tadeusz translated. ‘Do you have a number where I can contact him?’

‘Hang on a minute …’ The muffled sound of conversation. When Kramer returned, he reeled off a mobile phone number. ‘Tell him I said you were kosher.’

‘Thank you.’

‘Any time. Listen, you want to do some business – not the kind that breathes, the other kind – you gimme a call. I’m well up for it.’

‘I’ll bear that in mind.’ Tadeusz ended the call. He didn’t think he’d be dealing drugs or guns with Nick Kramer any time soon. He hadn’t taken to the man, and on the evidence of this last conversation, he lacked discretion. He keyed in the number Kramer had given him and waited to be connected.

He was on the point of giving up when the phone was answered. A cautious voice said, ‘Hello?’

Tadeusz made a quick decision. ‘My name is Darko Krasic. Nick Kramer gave me your number.’

‘Do I know him?’

‘Well, he has your phone number.’

‘So does my local Indian takeaway.’

‘My boss and I used to do business with Colin Osborne.’

A snort of laughter. ‘He can’t give you much of a reference, now can he? Look, I don’t do business over the phone.’

‘Sure, I understand. All I’m looking for is a character reference. Somebody has applied to work with us, and Kramer seems to think you know her.’

‘I know a lot of people.’ The voice was cautious again.

‘Her name is Caroline Jackson.’

A long pause. ‘I know Caroline. What do you want to know?’

‘Whatever you can tell me.’

‘Fucking hell, you don’t want much, do you? Look, if you’re thinking about working with Caroline, all you need to know is that she’s a serious player. But she’s a loner. She doesn’t trust anybody with her business. She’s smart, she knows how to keep stumm, and she’s very fucking good at what she does. She wants to work with you, you should bite her fucking hand off, because you’re getting the opportunity to work with the best. OK?’

‘OK.’