It was midday under a cobalt sky. The interior of the grimy white Benz, despite having its windows wound down, was like an oven and the dashboard mounted fan was putting up a furious but ultimately useless battle to cool the air. The red leather seats of the car only served to trap the heat created by the driver’s body. Imitation Ray-Ban shades hid his stony eyes. With close cropped hair and traces of a future beard, he was perspiring all over. He wiped fresh sweat off his forehead, slowing the Benz down as it came up to the rear of a hulking lorry. Traffic had turned off the main artery into town and was heading through the narrower but nearer bazaar road. That would bring him out only a short distance from the embassy. An analogue clock next to the cigarette lighter indicated there was enough time to get to his destination. Two o’clock was still far away.