Her voice must have sounded urgent because the teenagers did not protest. The driver began to close the doors as they squeezed past those standing. ‘Sorry, can we get off,’ she said as they reached him. He nodded and opened the doors wide again. Karene pushed Sophie and Jake on to the street. ‘Walk with me, quickly.’ She scanned the pavement ahead. There was a left turn coming up and she headed for that. The bus passed them before they reached it and Karene saw the man looking out at them through the side window. He had his phone to his ear.

‘Run,’ she said and their little group darted down the road on the left then took a number of random left and right turns into a large housing estate.

‘What’s the matter?’ said Jake as they slowed on a quiet suburban road.

‘I think someone was following us. I’m going to call the police.’ She checked the road name and dialled 999. ‘We’ll be fine now,’ she said, touching Jake’s arm. ‘We’re safe.’

She heard the screech of brakes as the call connected. A van stopped next to them with its side door slid open wide. The man inside was young with dark skin, cropped hair and a large machine gun.

‘Get inside,’ he said.

The three of them took a step back and the man aimed his gun at Sophie.

They did as instructed. What choice did they have? Karene heard the operator’s voice on her phone before a strong hand yanked it from her fingers and flung it out of the door as it slid closed. There was just enough time for Karene to see it smash on to the tarmac.

62

Bloom and Jameson were still arguing on the pavement when Seraphine exited the cafe and walked away with a cheery goodbye. Jameson raised his eyebrows and smiled, hoping to convey ‘I told you so’ to his partner. Bloom pressed her lips into a tight line and went after her.

Jameson joined Harry back at the table. The guy looked pissed off and he couldn’t blame him. It must be a bitch not knowing what’s going on and who to trust. Jameson was about to suggest leaving when his phone rang in his jacket pocket. It was still hanging over the back of the chair on the adjacent table. He retrieved it and answered the call.

‘I lost them,’ said the voice on the other end.

Jameson tensed and turned away from Harry. ‘How?’

‘Something spooked her and they got off the bus as a load of people got on. I doubled back from the next stop but they’re nowhere to be seen. Does Peterson know where they might go? Or should I head for the ex-wife’s house?’