‘This scumbag is our next target,’ he said, pointing to a picture of Roy Slack. ‘Our mission won’t be complete until he’s banged up and his organisation lies in ruins. But it’s not going to be a pushover. We estimate that Slack has over a hundred people working for him full time and he’s therefore able to distance himself from the day-to-day stuff.

‘Also, there’s still a hell of a lot we don’t know about his operations. With the others we were able to gather a fair amount of intelligence. We had someone undercover in Paul Mason’s outfit and we managed to turn two of Fuller’s guys so they fed us inside information.

‘But so far all attempts to infiltrate Slack’s mob have failed because anyone even suspected of doing the dirty either disappears or turns up dead.’

Drummond then went on to outline our approach to the investigation. He talked enthusiastically about tactics and strategy and read out a list of priorities. He took questions and invited us to put forward constructive ideas.

It turned into one of those meetings that draws everyone together, and the longer it went on the more excited everyone became. We were all eager to get on with the job, to use all the skills and resources to depose another crime lord.

There was a look of determination on the faces of the officers around me. I was aware of a restless energy that was almost palpable. Everyone was feeling optimistic about the case and the mood in the room was buoyant.

But then suddenly something weird happened and it changed everything in the blink of an eye.

The mobile phones of every detective in the room pinged or vibrated at the same time, signalling an incoming text message.

I’d never known it to happen before and it took us all by surprise. Even Drummond stopped speaking mid-sentence and a frown creased his brow.

Kate Chappell, who was standing next to me, was the first to open up the message and read it because she’d been holding her phone in her hand.

And judging by the look on her face I knew it was something serious.

The message did indeed contain a serious threat, and it sent a ripple of unease around the room.

I read it through twice and felt an icy knot form in my stomach.

Kate Chappell was the first to react, her voice tight with stress.

‘This has to be someone’s idea of a sick joke,’ she said.

Drummond was the next to speak, and it sounded like he was struggling to keep his composure. His face was firm and stoic, but his eyes were dull with shock.

‘First I need to know who among you has received this text,’ he said. ‘So would those who have please raise your hands?’