He had never met this Roger before, and he doubted it was his real name. The leadership of the NRF had run this operation on a strict need-to-know basis. Glenister’s job had been simply to get from London to the Armley safe house and stay put, ready for the third phase. It had only been this morning, over toast and coffee, that his companion had outlined today’s operation, concocted by the leadership in London months ago. Roger told him he had infiltrated the St John Ambulance months earlier, was on the rota for today’s Muslim festival and that the ambulance driver was expecting to pick him up en route. Glenister’s job was to cosh the driver and take his place.

The two men had barely talked since they had loaded the drum into the rear of the ambulance back at the flat. He was confident it couldn’t go off without the detonator, which was currently in the passenger footwell, but that hadn’t stopped his palms from sweating. The rifle was stowed away in a green bag behind him, the same bag he had carried it in since Pall Mall a week ago.

What was this jam? The lights at the pedestrian crossing ahead had changed from red to green twice now and still they weren’t moving. He glanced in the side mirrors at the line of stationary cars behind him. A green Volvo with a solitary woman driver and behind that a dark grey SUV. He couldn’t see the driver or passengers.

His companion Roger was an odd one, Glenister thought, and wondered where Rod Houghton had recruited him. Not the army, that was for sure. Maybe he was one of those internet types. There were a lot of those nowadays, bedroom warriors rather than squaddies with experience.

The traffic was still not moving. He wished he could check on Google Maps to see how far they were from the hold-up, but using a phone was out of the question. He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel and peered ahead.

#

Two cars back, the voice in Rehman’s ear was clear and urgent. ‘Firearm team, you are clear to proceed with the interception. Good luck, lads.’

Rehman heard the doors behind him open as the two officers stepped out into the road, rifles pointing down. The man in the passenger seat next to him joined them. The men darted ahead, keeping their heads down, tucking in behind the car in front before moving forward again. They crouched behind the ambulance, out of sight of the wing mirrors. Rehman imagined the look of astonishment on the driver ahead as the gunmen ducked down in front of their bonnet.

Rehman said a silent prayer as he sat behind the wheel watching his colleagues wait for the final signal to advance.

#

There was still no movement in the road ahead and Glenister was getting impatient. He needed to get the ambulance into position in Roundhay Park by 12.30pm. He ran through the procedure in his head again and again.