"She took out our lead, and the idea of spending another six months crisscrossing Eurasia doesn't appeal," Romanoff says dryly.

"Contact me in three."

It doesn't take her that long to reach Gorky Park, nor that long to get inside. Four hours after closing time, and the park is eerie with its silence. Fortunately, Romanoff has spent a lot of time walking through woods and public areas in the dark, and she heads to the bench the co-ordinates lead to.

Then, she slides the sim-card into her notepad, but before she can do anything, the chat screen opens.