Bloom laughed. Of course. It was obvious. ‘You don’t need me to join you. You want me to.’

Seraphine leaned forward, her elbows on her knees and her hands in a prayer position. ‘You hide who you really are so very well. So well, in fact, that people use you to treat people like me. Do you know how awesome that is? But, you know, the thing I’ve always admired most is how you took us youngsters under your wing and steered us on to our path. That’s what I’m doing now. I’m continuing your work. And you should absolutely be part of that.’

‘I am not like you.’

‘Really?’ Seraphine gestured to Jameson lying motionless on the concrete. ‘Look at him. What do you feel when you see that?’

She didn’t know much about Tasers. But he should surely have regained muscle control by now. Why was he so still?

‘What do you feel, Augusta? I know you don’t want me to hurt him. You like his company, respect his judgement, etcetera, etcetera. But do you feel guilty that he’s here?’

‘I’ve got nothing to be guilty about. You did that to him, not me.’

‘Ah, yes. But he’s only here because of you. And he’s only on the floor because of you. He only experienced all that pain and anguish because of you … And I’m not just referring to the volts. You saw how he was with me. How much he cared for me. And that is all because of you.’

Bloom stared at Seraphine and Seraphine stared back.

‘What do you feel?’ Seraphine asked, her tone urgent, bordering on excited. ‘What do you feel?’

‘I am not like you.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Of course, I’m sure. You’re a psychopath without any concern for the consequences of your actions. You can’t understand how others care so deeply for their family and friends. Look at what you did to your poor parents. You think because you are logical and unbiased you’re superior, but that doesn’t make you a better person.’

‘And you know what I say to that, Augusta?’ Bloom strained her hands against the ropes. ‘It takes one to know one.’

‘It took you fifteen years to reach that conclusion? That I spotted the truth because I’m the same as you? You’re smarter than that, Seraphine.’

‘I bet if I studied your brain I’d see all the familiar patterns: the underactive amygdala, the reduced grey matter in the orbitofrontal cortex, all resulting in impaired social and emotional responses. I’d maybe even see a lack of oxytocin.’ Seraphine took a purposeful glance at Jameson. ‘Is it denial? Or have you just been hiding who you are for so long that you now believe your own propaganda? You’re so distant and cool, clinical and incisive. Have you never wondered? Or been tested?’