‘Actually I’ve already given that a lot of thought,’ Rosa said. ‘And I’ve decided to leave my job and move to London.’

Alice couldn’t believe it. She started shedding tears of joy as Rosa pulled her close and held her against her chest.

After a few minutes Rosa felt hot tears break free from her own eyes. She hadn’t cried in years and she saw it as yet another sign that she was becoming a different person thanks to Alice.

69

Laura

Bridges Hotel occupied a nondescript building on Kennington Lane, close to Vauxhall Bridge.

We arrived at the same time as an armed tactical support team. Officers wearing combat helmets and visors, and carrying automatic weapons, emerged from the back of an armoured van. They trooped along the pavement and into the hotel in a matter of seconds. Drummond and I followed them inside after they gave us the all-clear.

It was a typical no-frills establishment, providing three-star accommodation for tourists and business people on a budget. There was a small reception desk and behind it stood a young man wearing a smart white shirt and a shocked expression.

The officers spread themselves out around the room – in front of the lift, at the bottom of the stairs, next to a door leading to a dining area. There was no sign of any guests and that was a relief.

Drummond marched straight up to the desk and showed the receptionist his ID.

‘I’m Detective Chief Superintendent Drummond,’ he said. ‘What’s your name?’

‘Lionel Wren, sir. I’m the night manager.’

‘Well, I’m sorry we’ve alarmed you, Mr Wren, but we’re here to arrest one of your guests. Her name is Maria Rodriquez. She’s dangerous and possibly armed. So tell me which room she’s in.’

Lionel Wren just stood there with his mouth open, his eyes out on stalks.

Drummond raised his voice and brought his fist down on the desk.

‘Please answer me, Mr Wren. Maria Rodriquez. Which room?’

Wren snapped to attention and said, ‘It’s room twenty-two on the fourth floor. But I don’t think she’s in. I haven’t seen her since I came on at five o’clock. Plus Miss Rodriquez instructed us not to go into her room, even to clean it, during her stay.’

‘Which is for how long?’

‘She told us she’s not sure but the room has been booked and paid for in advance for two weeks.’

‘OK. Now I need a key to room twenty-two.’

Wren produced a master key card from a drawer below the desk and handed it over.

Drummond then said, ‘In sixty seconds I want you to call the room and let it ring until someone answers. It’ll either be Maria Rodriquez or one of us. Have you got that?’

Wren nodded.

I stepped forward and pointed to a security camera high up on the wall to the right of the desk.