She unlocked the door and they entered. A ramp lead up into the building, and darkness filled the spaces. Concrete floors and series of large walk in refrigeration units lined one wall. Live chickens kept in cages were stacked two meters high. As we turned on the lights the chickens clucked and cackled with the change. Nearby a big man wearing a leather apron was washing something in a sink. He looked about fifty. He was powerfully built and had dark eyes and hair that was grey around the temples. As they approached he turned and Talman could see that he held a large butchers knife in his hands.

“Salam alekum abu Tariq”, she said in greeting.

“Alekum Salam” he replied.

“This is Abu Tariq, he works for… worked for Michael. He insures the animals are slaughtered in accordance with the requirements of Halal.”

“A pleasure to meet you,” I said as I held out my hand.

He looked at my hand for a moment, but did not take it. His eyes looked up at mine and he said in halting English “I am not clean.”