“You can see why I’m concerned about you turning up here. People who know a lot less than what I’ve just told you have been killed for the sake of protecting Ptolemy.”

He shook his head and sighed.

“If you have an officer on the island, Gemstone will know. If they pose any threat to him, they will be killed. I think Gemstone’s almost out of time, and they’re going to be easily panicked.”

“Why? What did you mean, earlier, when you asked if this was connected to what’s happening today?”

“As soon as I saw what was going on, I thought of Ascension. I wondered if someone was going to turn up, try to drag me back in.”

“Saw what going on?”

“The ship.” He looked at her, bemused. “Have you not seen? The Russian ship in the South Atlantic.”

29

Kane drove Connor back to the US base. It was almost four a.m., but the island wasn’t sleeping tonight. The guards at the base were out in force, which meant more torchlight in his face. Then they saw his passenger.

“It’s Connor,” one of the guards shouted. “He’s here.”

“Thank Christ for that. Straight through, buddy. Follow me.”

One of the guards jumped into a jeep and drove in front of Kane, leading him past long barracks buildings, a smattering of beige huts, and a grassless softball field with bleachers and a chain-link fence. There was a second guard post before they reached an area with detached cabins, pebbled grounds, and artificial-looking shrubs. Married quarters. Officers’ quarters.

At the sound of the vehicles, Connor’s mother appeared in her doorway. She ran to clasp Connor as he got out.

“Oh, thank God. Oh, Jesus. Come in.”

She told Kane to come in too. The guard wheeled away with a salute.

A lot of effort had gone into making the cabin feel like a family home. There were shelves of CDs, magazines, ornaments. Carina’s toys and dolls cluttered the floor, and the dining table was filled with picture books. Still the artificial light seemed harsh after the darkness.

“Where were you?” Anne said.

Connor looked nervous.

“He was up by the old NASA station,” Kane said.

“Connor, what the hell . . .” She turned to Kane. “Did the police let you go?”

“Not exactly. I had a bad feeling about the NASA station, so I headed up there. Of my own accord, so to speak. There’s a good chance police still want to speak to me and will come after me.”

“They said Lauren Carter’s clothes were at your place.”

“Yes. I don’t know why. I don’t know what’s going on but it’s nothing to do with me.”

“The bastards,” Anne said.

“Has there been any word of Lauren?”

“Not that I’m aware of.”

“What about Thomas? Last I saw he was getting in a situation with the British authorities.”