Roberts had the team gathered in the conference room. The phone was in the centre of the desk, the deadline fast approaching. Roberts had arranged for the call to be put on the speaker so they all could hear. He had the briefcase of cash beside it.

Brant said:

‘So we’re really going to pay these assholes?’

Roberts nodded miserably.

Porter asked:

‘Have we at least a trace set on the money?’

‘We are going to try and see if we can catch them when they collect.’

The team digested this, doubt writ large on their faces. Porter said:

‘They seem very confident that they are going to get the money without any problem.’

Roberts’ face was set in stone, as if it had been achieved over his dead body. No one seemed reassured by this. The phone rang and some of the younger officers actually jumped. Brant smiled, he was looking forward to this. The robotic voice began:

‘Greetings friends, I assume I’m on speaker so I’ll take the liberty of addressing you en group.’

Roberts tried to stay cool, said:

‘The money is here.’

‘Good man, you’re a splendid errand boy. Now here’s the arrangement. Are you ready because I’ll only say it once, so pencils ready guys?’

Nobody moved, it was of course being taped. The voice began:

‘Get a large black holdall with the word “Swag” written on it. Then Roberts you, yes you — pay attention and stop sulking — you are to deliver it to the left luggage at Waterloo station before 8.00 this evening. Get a receipt in case it goes missing, Network Rail are a whore if you don’t have the ticket. That’s it guys, nice and simple, so I don’t see how you can fuck it up.’

Click.

Roberts looked round at the faces and said:

‘Get me a black holdall and write “Swag” on it.’

Two of the officers left the room.