Bramnik took a seat behind the desk and spread his hands on the varnished wood. ‘I’ve been talking with Kip,’ he said. ‘He told me everything you told him, as well as showing me your predecessor’s written evidence, Mr Beche. It’s quite a story.’

‘Wallace Deans can tell you the rest,’ I said.

‘I’m afraid he died a few hours ago,’ said Bramnik.

I let that sink in. There were so few of us left now.

‘And Howes?’ I asked. ‘Is there any news about him?’

Bramnik nodded. ‘He’s fine. We sent a number of detachments back to the island just after you arrived, in order to place the Patriot agents under arrest. A lot’s been happening since you came here.’

‘What’s going on with them?’ asked Chloe. ‘The Patriots, I mean. Are you going through some kind of a civil war, or is that just how you people do business?’

Bramnik shook his head. ‘Let’s just say there are elements in our government that believe strongly in one way of thinking, and others that feel strongly in the opposite direction. As it happens, the group to which I belong managed to win the day. And that’s all that matters.’ He gazed around at us all. ‘It’s been hard work, keeping your presence here a secret.’

I nodded past him, to the snowy gardens visible through a window behind the desk. ‘It’s the middle of August,’ I said. ‘It’s getting bad, right? How long do you have, before the extinction event really kicks in?’

‘What are you talking about?’ asked Chloe.

‘When they interviewed me,’ I said, ‘there was a calendar on the wall. It said it was August.’ I turned back to Bramnik. ‘Snow and freezing skies in the middle of summer? That’s a hell of a pickle you people are in.’

Bramnik leaned back in his chair. ‘You have no idea.’

‘So what’s the reason for bringing us to this place?’ I asked, indicating the office around us.

‘Because you deserve explanations.’ He looked around the others as well. ‘All of you. I’ve barely had time to scan the documents your predecessor left behind, Mr Beche, but his discoveries and his insights are going to be invaluable to us.’

‘Who is “us”, exactly?’ asked Winifred.

‘I said there are groups struggling for influence within our government, and they have different ideas on how to handle our . . . current difficulties.’

‘What’s your approach?’ I asked.