Frederick motioned towards the photo. ‘This is Ronald Bowcott. He’s been at Six for the last fifteen years. Generally considered a steady pair of hands. No major grievances in his record, no commendations either. Next is Suzannah Sheldon.’

Her photo flashed up next to Ronald’s. It was a surveillance photo from outside a house. She was wearing a trouser suit and speaking into her mobile. Blonde hair pulled back into a high ponytail.

‘Suzannah has been working alongside Ronald for the last five years – since she joined Six. Generally considered a bit of a know-it-all. Can rub colleagues up the wrong way.

‘Finally we have Neil Hicks.’ A photo of a well-built man in full military uniform joined Ronald and Suzannah on the whiteboard. ‘Hicks was in the army for twelve years before making the move to Six two years ago. He’s a quiet man, keeps to himself, but has been impressing superiors with his natural aptitude for the job.’

Hattie motioned towards the line-up of photos. ‘Code names. Lex, can you do the honours?’

I stared at the photos.

Ronald Bowcott. Man with a tummy and glasses. Looked a bit of a buffoon. It seemed strikingly obvious to me.

‘OK, Ronald is Daddy Pig.’

Suzannah Sheldon. A know-it-all and a bit annoying. ‘Suzannah can be Peppa Pig.’

Neil Hicks. Quiet man. ‘Well, as we’re on a theme now, Neil is George Pig.’

‘How exactly is naming the targets after a family of pigs not going to draw attention to yourselves?’ Jake asked

I ignored him and turned to Frederick.

‘What do you think of Daddy Pig?’

‘He gets a hard time. He’s just trying to do what’s best for his family and he’s mocked and maligned for his weight, for his lack of DIY ability. I think it’s impressive he remains so upbeat when he’s got a tiresome daughter, a near mute son and a wife who likes to flaunt her superiority over him. It’s just not—’

‘Peppa Pig is an incredibly popular children’s cartoon,’ I cut Frederick off mid-flow. ‘Every parent has been forced to watch at least one episode, if not five hundred. No one with kids would think anything of hearing their names mentioned.’

‘She’s right.’ Dugdale nodded, himself a father of two.

Hattie motioned to the board. ‘Daddy Pig, Peppa and George. One of these three little piggies has been getting our people killed. We need to know everything about them.’ He looked round at us all. ‘We’re looking for large amounts of extra unaccounted for income and covert meetings or communications with the Coyote. We need to run through their lives and analyse every online and in-person interaction. We find out which one is the Snake and we stop the Coyote.