She took a notebook out of her bag, considering whether to leave a note for Lauren Weston. Jez’s sister was an unknown quantity in the investigation. Her DNA had turned up at a crime scene. That didn’t necessarily make her a suspect at this stage, but if she was in any way involved in the murder of Tony Gardner – and Andrew Dean – there was a strong chance she could flee. Most squatters were suspicious of law enforcement and there was an extensive network of activists across the country; Lauren could literally disappear off the grid if she chose to.

Sasha’s phone buzzed in her bag and she saw a message from Kev.

Can’t wait for tonight xx

That made her smile. Her fingers hovered over the touchscreen. She thought about sending a dirty response, something to get his pulse racing. But then she remembered he had to keep his wits about him for the job interview later, and wrote instead…

Me too. Love you xxx

The message flew from her phone with a whoosh just as the front door of the squat opened and a guy came out. As he left, he placed a pair of massive headphones over his ears and walked off in the opposite direction.

But Sasha’s attention was caught by the way the street door began to close very slowly behind him. She was only parked a few yards along the kerb and if she was quick, she could probably slip inside before it closed.

Which was probably a very bad idea.

‘What the hell,’ she told herself, and she threw the pen and notebook into her bag, shoved it over her shoulder, and climbed out. She raced to the door and caught it just as the edge was about to kiss the frame.

‘Hello?’ She peered along the shabby hallway, which was littered with dumped boxes and black plastic sacks. The music, with its throbbing bass and angry lyrics, pumped down from the floor above. ‘Is anyone there?’

Sasha moved further into the hallway. A doorway on the right led into a gloomy front room, which was hidden from the street by the covered windows, and now she could see why. Because it was filled with boxes of electronic equipment and appliances. Stacked in neat piles around the room, there were dishwashers and state-of-the-art stereo systems, televisions and computers of all shapes and sizes, all in pristine condition. Distracted by the discovery – there was no way all these electronic goods had arrived here by legal means – she moved further into the room. She should call this in straight away, she should –