“I thought you might be connected to the Historical Society.”

He laughed.

“Not that kind of conservation. Trying to keep what’s here, not worry about what’s already gone. But you spend enough time on this rock, you start to get curious.”

Connor was sitting in the car, his bandaged foot sticking out. With the shades on you couldn’t tell where he was looking or if he was looking at all.

“Is he really okay?” Kane asked.

“He’ll live.” Thomas shook his head. “He’s a lot better than he would have been if you hadn’t come along. He said there were three of them.”

“Yes. Pretty sure one was British military. A couple looked like contractors. It was dark.”

“Right. We’re pursuing it, of course. Don’t worry about that.” Alongside his anger, there was a sense of impotence, a helplessness in proportion to the rage, which seemed odd.

“I spoke to Connor about going to the police,” Kane said.

“Yeah, I know. Things aren’t straightforward here right now. There’s complications.”

“Really?”

Thomas nodded slowly.

“All sorts. But, seriously, don’t spoil your trip on our account.”

“Okay. But I’m concerned those guys are going to pick on some other kid. Or that they’ve done it before.”

“Maybe they have. I don’t know. My advice is really not to get yourself too involved.”

“Can I ask something else? A slightly weird question?”

“Anything you want. Fire away.”

“You seem to know the place.”

“Much as anyone does. Why?”

“I turned up last night and the hotel was closed. So someone let me stay in a house in Georgetown where the family’s just left. I get the feeling they left in a hurry. Any idea what happened?”

The man’s eyes flicked to Kane with renewed interest. There was a wariness there, a sadness and caution.

“Connor told me where you were staying.”

“Where’s the family gone?”

“Heard anything about the last couple of weeks here?”

“No.”

“A girl went missing. A fifteen-year-old. I’m sorry to tell you that.”

“Missing?”

“Disappeared. Vanished into thin air. Her family moved off the island a few days ago. They were . . . broken. It looks like you’re in their old home.”

Carina squealed. She was out of the sea, having her feet toweled by her mother. The reality of Petra Wade’s disappearance hit Kane hard. He imagined having a daughter on the island, how it must feel if you thought the man responsible was still out there.

“What do you think happened?” Kane asked.

“No one knows. Could have been swept away, could have fallen somewhere. There’s a few potential explanations, but no sign of her and it’s possible no one ever finds out for sure. How long are you on here?”

“Just the month. Until the next flight.”