Asad stood. He had gathered his things the night before and stuffed them into his coat pockets. He grabbed the coat and he and Muhid trudged out of the front door clutching the rucksacks, now heavy with the weapons. Saleem hugged them both, too tight, his face grinning, his heart clearly bursting. Muhid slapped him violently on the back.

‘See you in Paradise, bro,’ said Muhid, and hugged him again. They climbed down the stairs together and then separated at the main entrance to the block. They were going alone from here on to reduce the risks. Asad was going on the Jubilee line, Muhid on the bus. They hugged briefly and wished each other luck. They would meet again soon, Muhid told him, his eyes wide and his smile broad.

#

Willesden, North West London

West Link was a soulless street, lined with identical vast metal sheds and empty car parks. Campbell pulled up outside the Black Box Storage Company. Normally, it would be better to go in with support, but with the clock racing, he decided to go in alone. Skeffington would be there in fifteen minutes, forensics, PolSA and the dog team soon after.

A bored woman with a nose stud sat behind the orange desk. Behind her was a bank of TV screens relaying CCTV images from around the site. Campbell flashed his ID card and asked for the duty manager, and a minute later, a thin-faced man with a shiny tight suit ushered him into a glass-fronted office.

‘We’re investigating the movements of an individual two weeks ago yesterday who we believe may have visited here,’ said Campbell after making his introduction. ‘I’ll need access to the log – along with the CCTV.’

‘Of course,’ said the manager, flustered. ‘Give me a sec.’ He fiddled with his keyboard and mouse. ‘There – here’s the record of everything in and out that morning.’

He twisted the screen around. Eighteen people had been in that morning.

‘Could you print that off, sir? We’re also going to need to look at the CCTV for that morning,’ said Campbell.

‘That’ll take some time to sort out, I’m afraid. You know. GDPR. I’ll need clearance from head office. Can you come back this afternoon?’

Campbell leaned forward, conspiratorially.

‘The thing is, we don’t have any time. This guy we’re looking for is planning something nasty, possibly in the next few hours. Is it okay to have a look now anyway and do the paperwork later?’

The manager hesitated and rubbed his nose between thumb and forefinger. Then bit his bottom lip and nodded. He led Campbell into an even smaller room on the other side of the reception.

‘We keep the CCTV video for twenty-eight days, so it’ll still be here on the hard drive. Give me a second.’

A shadow fell across them. Campbell looked around. Skeffington was standing in the doorway.

‘Morning, Sergeant Campbell. Getting everything you need?’

‘Yes, sir. The manager is being exceptionally helpful,’ said Campbell, emphasising the word ‘helpful’ so that Skeffington wouldn’t start getting pushy.