They went for a stroll down the strip. Holm ducked into a minimarket and purchased a couple of bottles of water and some snacks in case they needed them later. The light eased away as dusk fell and the resort was transformed. Coloured lights flickered on and strobes flashed from several bars. There was a heavy thump thump thump of a bassline as an eager DJ began to play tunes to lure customers into his establishment. When they returned to the marina the place was lit up like a Christmas tree, and several of the motor cruisers had underwater lights that illuminated the water surrounding them. There were dozens of soldiers, and several police officers had set up a checkpoint at the entrance. On the far side of the marina a large white boat was making sternway into an alongside berth. Crew in smart uniforms threw ropes and marina staff made the craft secure.

‘We’re on,’ Holm said. ‘The Angelo.’

He found a restaurant which offered a good view of the Angelo while Javed fetched the car and parked it close by. Holm ordered food and drinks, and when Javed returned he pushed a Coke over to him.

‘Now we wait,’ he said.

‘I don’t think so, boss.’ Javed took a quick sip of his drink and nodded towards the Angelo. ‘Look, action.’

A series of deck lights had come on and the white van they’d seen earlier had pulled up close by. A derrick on the quayside swung its arm over the boat and hoisted a large wooden crate from the deck.

‘The weapons,’ Holm said. He began to rise. They needed to get to the car. ‘Now all we have to do is follow them to Taher.’

‘Hang on.’ Javed’s gaze went to a smart yellow SUV parked alongside the van. ‘There’s something else happening.’

An electric passerelle slid out from the side of the boat; in the shadows Holm could see a woman waiting on the deck as a member of the crew carried two bags down the passerelle and loaded them into the back of the SUV.

‘That’s…’ Holm could hardly believe his eyes. He blinked, wondering if he needed glasses. Before he could speak the woman had walked down the passerelle and moved across to the car. One of the crew opened the door for her and she got in. The vehicle slipped away down the quayside, the white van following close behind. ‘I wasn’t expecting her to be mixed up in this.’

‘Who, boss?’ Javed said. ‘I didn’t see.’

‘Karen Hope,’ Holm said, grabbing a handful of banknotes from his pocket and shoving them on the table. ‘Brandon Hope’s sister and the next president of the United States of America.’

The yellow SUV cruised out of the marina gate with the van behind. Holm and Javed raced for their car and followed at a distance.