‘I want you to send me a video tape of Buchan airbase. As recent as you can manage, so long as it’s after the Zephyr malfunction.’

‘You’ve got to be joking!’

‘I’m deadly serious.’

‘What the hell for? I could end up in jail for a stunt like that.’

‘Look, Nick, remember what I told you about Fagin and Paul and everything?’

‘Yes, I remember. But Paul’s dead now, isn’t he? They said you were the one who found him.’

‘I was. It wasn’t suicide, Nick. It just looked that way. If we’re going to find his killers, I need that tape. And if you could also send one of Buchan before Zephyr went haywire, that would help too. This is an emergency, Nick. I mean, life and death.’

‘Well, maybe, but … Christ, I can’t just—’

‘You’re shutting down, right?’

‘Yes.’

‘So it should be easy.’ Hepton thought fast. ‘Stuff’s being moved about, boxed up, what have you. Say a couple of video tapes go missing, it’s bound to happen.’

‘Okay, so I put them in my pocket – then what? Down to the local post office?’

Hepton hadn’t thought about that. He didn’t want to involve Sanders – or anyone else he didn’t feel able to trust. But if he wanted the tapes tonight … And he did want the tapes tonight.

‘Nick, do you still go to the Bull?’ The Bull was the public house closest to the base. It was a brisk evening walk, and a pleasant one in the summer months.

‘Not for a while.’

‘Could you drop in tonight? Just for a pint?’

‘And take the tapes with me?’

‘That’s the idea.’

‘I’m not sure I can get them that soon.’ Christopher paused. ‘Will you be at the Bull?’

‘I’ll try.’

‘The thing is, there’s a lot of logging to be done before we shut down. I’m not sure Fagin will spare me enough time. We were working till ten last night. I was so tired afterwards, I just collapsed into bed.’

‘Look, Nick, try your best, will you?’

He seemed to give this serious thought. Hepton was under no illusions: Nick was a nice enough guy, but he was no hero. Look after number one, that had always been his creed. There was an all-too-audible sigh on the line. Then he spoke.

‘Okay, Martin,’ he said. ‘If you want cloak and dagger, you can have it. I’ll be in the Bull at seven.’

‘Thanks, Nick.’

‘You owe me one.’

‘I won’t forget. See you tonight.’

Hepton put down the receiver and turned towards the stairs. Sanders was standing there, three steps up, arms folded. He had obviously heard some of the conversation.

‘Where are we going?’ he asked.

There was no point lying. ‘Binbrook, Lincolnshire. To the Zephyr base. I have to meet someone there.’

‘Can I ask why?’