The undertow was unlike anything he’d felt before. It sucked him out with a sense of angry purpose, away from the island to within a few meters of the drowning man, before a wave threw him back. Kane twisted to use his feet to stop himself from smashing against the jetty, managed to fill his lungs and turn again. Thomas had disappeared from view. Kane dived down, kicking hard, trying to peer through the water as he moved. Small black fishes darted unperturbed around him. He couldn’t see farther than a meter or so. Kane surfaced and there was still no sign of Thomas. Anne was calling.

“Edward! Come back!”

Kane sank a final time, saw nothing but the water churning clouds of fine white sand. And he knew that whatever he was trying to prove, it wasn’t going to happen.

He thrashed his way back. The rope hit his arm. Kane pulled himself along it until he felt hands on him, dragging him onto the concrete.

“Quick,” Anne said. She helped him up the steps. Carina lay in the recovery position at the top, still in her life jacket, vomit on the concrete beside her, watery blood over her face. Connor knelt beside her. Kane felt for the girl’s pulse, then crouched and put his cheek beside her mouth until he could feel her breath.

“She’s breathing.”

“Barely. She needs medical attention,” Anne said.

“I can try and call.”

“Are you okay?”

“I’m okay. You stay with her.”

Kane went to the harbor offices. They were locked but he smashed a window and climbed in, searching until he found a first-aid kit and foil blanket. He took them to Anne, then went back to the office and assessed the various communication devices. The digital comms were down, but the old analog telephone worked. No answer on the island’s emergency number. He called the number for contacting Vauxhall Cross from overseas and asked to speak to Kathryn Taylor. Eventually his call was routed through to somewhere that wasn’t Vauxhall but must have been on the governmental system.

“Elliot, is that you?” Her voice sounded miraculous in his ear.

“Yes.”

“You’re alive?” He could hear Taylor’s relief, and wondered where she was.

“I’m alive.”

“It looks like there’s been some serious interference on the island. It centers on an individual going by the name of Thomas Lindgren. He may be working for Russia. Is that someone you’ve crossed paths with?”

“I crossed paths with Thomas Lindgren, yes.”

“Do you know his whereabouts? Is he still active?”

“He’s no longer active.”

“Oh, Elliot. That’s incredible. Well done.” He heard her breathe a sigh of relief. “You arrested him?”

“He drowned.”

“I see.” Her voice grew a touch less confident. “We’ve got a lot to catch up on. Who’s with you now?”