He awoke with a start, uncertain of where he was for a few moments, until he realised that he was in Tyler Roth’s cliff house on Savana Island in the here and now, and not back in the hellhole of Iraq in 2003. His vivid dream had left him shaking and covered in sweat. He lay blinking in the darkness, breathing hard, and focused on listening to the reassuring, meditative sound of the ocean until the tension oozed from his clenched muscles and he was able to relax into the softness of the bed.

Some things you never forget.

Chapter 36

Ben had been awake for less than thirty minutes before he heard Roth getting up and the patter of the shower. He emerged from the spare room soon afterwards to find the American bustling about in the kitchen, all energy and smiles as he put on a pot of coffee. Last night’s storm was just a memory and the morning sun was shining brightly over the dazzling blue ocean. Palm trees swayed lazily in the soft breeze and the sandy beach in the cove below the house was as white as snow. Another perfect day in Paradise.

Roth had exchanged yesterday’s beach bum garb for khaki jeans and an old army shirt, neatly pressed. Ben noticed the packed kit bag on the floor. ‘Planning a trip somewhere?’

‘You asked me what happens next,’ Roth said. ‘I made my decision. Seeing as we both have unfinished business with Nazim al-Kassar, you ready to buddy up?’

‘As in what exactly?’

‘As in, I travel back with you to Paris. You said you needed my help, didn’t you?’

‘I thought you were a recluse who didn’t like to leave his island,’ Ben said.

Roth shrugged. ‘Been thinking maybe I oughtta get out more. Reckon this is as good a chance as I’m gonna get. And it’s worth it, for a shot at that motherfucker. I already radioed Charlie and told him to get me on the first flight.’ He looked at his chunky watch. ‘Which gives us precisely twenty-seven minutes to get ready before the chopper arrives.’

Ben had come to Savana Island in the hope of gaining information. Instead he was returning with a co-partner. It was more than he’d bargained for. But it just might work out well. Nobody could doubt Roth’s skills, that was for sure.

He said, ‘Chopper?’

Roth grinned. ‘Quickest way out of here, amigo. When I move, I move fast. Hit the shower and grab some coffee. That’s Jamaican Blue Mountain. Finest in the world.’