‘You think you can negotiate because you are British? I told you in Lagos that I care not a jot for international incidents nor my reputation, which has been besmirched time and time again until we have all become tired of it. It would be more convenient if you were not from one of our so-called allies, and our one-time colonial masters at that. Of course, I admit that freely. It is a nuisance. However, we cannot deal in hypo theticals, but in the realities with which we are faced. The reality of this evening is that you are revealed as a spy, and as such I cannot allow you to leave here until the end of this conflict.’

‘Until the end—’

‘Allow me to finish, Mister Kane. It will do you good to listen. I am confident this war will not continue for very much longer, so you need not fear your incarceration will be a lengthy one. The rebels are on their last legs, as the sorry specimens you encountered today testify.’

‘Will you also jail them?’ asked Isabelle. ‘After all, they may also be spies.’

Cat, meet pigeons.

Alebayo didn’t take long to answer. ‘I already have,’ he said simply. ‘They are enemy combatants. The women and children will be cared for by our medical staff, of course. What would you suggest I do in the circumstances?’

Isabelle nodded, but I could feel the anger surging within her. ‘And me? Will you imprison me, too, Colonel?’

Alebayo inspected his slippers for a moment, then looked up at her. ‘Yes,’ he said. ‘I am afraid I must. It is unfortunate, but I have no means of knowing if you are involved in Mister Kane’s dirty work.’

Isabelle took a step forward, but Scarface was there at once, holding her back.

‘C’est un scandale!’ she shouted. ‘My government—’

‘Will be very angry.’ Alebayo nodded at Scarface to let her go, and he did, reluctantly. ‘Yes, Mademoiselle, I am well aware of it. My superiors will be equally concerned. There will be pressure on me from all sides to release you both. But I tell you now: I shall resist that pressure for as long as I am able. Because this is a war I am engaged in.’

‘And my camera?’ said Isabelle. ‘Does freedom of expression mean nothing to you? Will you hide what is happening in this country from the world?’

Alebayo snorted. ‘I will certainly hide military secrets from foreign powers,’ he said. He tilted his head, and softened his tone again. ‘Mademoiselle, if you are indeed innocent of any involvement with this man, please accept my apologies. But would you not agree it is a sound principle of war that if one finds a spy moving freely among one’s troops, one jails him and anyone associated with him?’