‘Next door to yours?’ Palmer said, referencing the Pizza Express across the street from Thames House.

‘No, too close to home,’ Holm said. ‘Do you know the place we used to go years ago? Twelve thirty.’

‘Curiouser and curiouser,’ Palmer said before confirming he’d be there and hanging up.

The place they used to go years ago was the Pear Tree Cafe in Battersea Park. Holm liked it for a clandestine meet because there were numerous entrances to the park and, once inside, dozens of paths to follow.

Holm and Javed found a rare parking spot close by and entered the park at twelve. They approached the cafe in a circuitous manner and Holm had Javed stand off and keep watch while he went in and awaited Palmer’s arrival. An expanse of glass curved round one side of the cafe and Holm sat at a table near the entrance. At twelve twenty-five Palmer slipped into a seat opposite Holm, appearing to materialise out of thin air, but likely coming in through the kitchens.

‘Very good,’ Holm said. ‘You got me.’

‘What is this, Stephen?’ Palmer winked. ‘Are we playing at lovers or co-conspirators?’

Holm grimaced. ‘Not the former, please.’

‘I thought you’d gone over to the other side.’ Palmer gestured through the window. ‘He’s a good-looking lad, I’ll give you that.’

‘You spotted him?’

‘He’s down at the lake pretending to feed the ducks.’ Palmer raised a hand and made a little pecking motion with his thumb and fingers. ‘Only, what sort of twenty-something male would be doing that? Plus he hasn’t got any bread.’

They ordered food, Palmer going for soup and a roll, which allowed him to make a joke about giving some to Javed for the birds.

‘Enough,’ Holm said. ‘This isn’t funny, Harry.’

‘It’s deadly serious if you’re relying on that kid.’ Palmer couldn’t help another smile but the expression quickly turned solemn. ‘Is this about your little project to round up Nazi fanboys? I heard about it on the grapevine.’

‘No.’ Holm lowered his voice. ‘This is about Taher.’

‘For Christ’s sake, Stephen, are you asking to be sacked?’

‘I’m on to him, but I need your help. One more push and I’ve got him.’

‘Really?’ A look of surprise crossed Palmer’s face. ‘Are you sure you’re not delusional?’

‘No. What’s more, Taher is somehow linked to the Hope family. The Hope family, as in Karen Hope.’

‘Now I know you’re delusional.’ Palmer frowned and the surprise turned to concern. ‘You need to back off before the Spider gets a tug on one of her threads. If she discovers what you’re up to she’ll come for you. The resulting mess won’t be pretty.’