COBRA, an acronym for Cabinet Office Briefing Room A, was a mechanism whereby ministers, senior police officers and security officials could meet in response to major events and emergencies such as terrorist attacks.

It was obviously a sensible move and a necessary development. And it would take the hunt for those responsible to a whole new level.

But I feared it would not be enough to stop the murder spree. Or to snare the wicked witch with the deadly armoury and the heart of stone.

52

Rosa

She was in a taxi on her way to Alice’s apartment when her phone rang. It was Roy Slack, and he slurred his words as he spoke, which made her wonder if he’d been drinking.

‘I want to congratulate you, Rosa,’ he said. ‘You’ve surpassed my expectations.’

‘I’m glad you think so,’ she replied.

‘It’s all over the news. We’ve created chaos, and every copper in London is shedding a tear. This is exactly what I was hoping for when I added his name to the mix. You did well considering how little time you had.’

‘Most jobs don’t require that much planning,’ she said. ‘Locations can be studied via the web and people are much easier to track with new technology. Plus, every target steps into the line of fire sooner or later.’

‘You’re being modest,’ Slack said. ‘You pulled off a blinder and I’ve already been in touch with Carlos Cruz to tell him that I think you’re a fucking legend.’

Now she was certain he was drunk and she was keen for the conversation to end.

‘Do you want me to continue?’ she asked him.

‘I do indeed,’ he said. ‘I’m having too much fun to stop now. But I’m going to make it easier for you because it’ll be harder from today to get to those people on the list. So you have my blessing to kill any copper at random, plain clothes or in uniform. I want a few more of the bastards taken out so that means you staying in London into next week.’

It was the kind of thing that the cartel bosses in Mexico would say. And that included Carlos Cruz. Killing gave them a buzz, especially when it was carried out as an act of vengeance.

It occurred to Rosa that Roy Slack would have been right at home in Tijuana or Acapulco. He had exactly what it took to survive and prosper. He was cruel and sadistic, and quite mad. He also had a huge sense of entitlement.

‘And I want you to know that you’re well on course to earn yourself that bonus I mentioned,’ he said. ‘Carlos told me he’s paying you half a million dollars. Well, I’ll give you the same amount if you carry on delivering. How does that sound?’