Harry saw a look pass between Seraphine and Abdul. It was the first reaction they’d had to anything which told him that this was news to them too. Was it a bluff? Harry decided that it must be, mainly because the alternative was just too painful to contemplate.

70

‘We can’t just walk up there and confront these people, Marcus. They’re dangerous.’

‘Who said anything about confronting them? I’ll take a look, see what we’re dealing with and then we’ll go from there.’ Jameson had changed into his running gear, complete with cap, headphones and sunglasses. ‘I’ll get Vic and some others down here first.’

‘Please, Marcus. This is crazy,’ said Bloom. ‘Let the police check it out.’

Caroline had insisted that they should call 999 and report that her children were in danger near this location, but Jameson had argued that as soon as the kidnappers heard sirens they’d disappear. They would search Karene and the children, find the watch on Jake and then they’d be impossible to find.

‘Augusta, trust me. This is what I used to do. I’ll be twenty minutes tops. If I’m longer than thirty minutes you can call the police.’

‘Be careful.’

Jameson placed his earphones in. ‘Careful now, you’re starting to sound like you really do care.’

‘You know that I do,’ she said quietly.

He opened the door and stepped outside. ‘Whatever happens,’ he said, ‘don’t come after me without the police.’

Bloom stood at the front door and watched him jog along the pavement and away from her. Her every instinct said that she should not have let him do this.

She turned to Caroline and Robin, both of whom had their arms folded and matching scowls on their faces. Maybe they were well suited after all.

‘I need to make a call,’ she said. She set her phone timer for twenty minutes and walked to one of the bedrooms. Harry’s clothes were stacked on the chair with military neatness. She dialled Seraphine’s number. After a short delay, she heard the long beeps that indicated an overseas call. There was no answer and no voicemail. She hung up and sent a text message.

Today 08:16

Call me ASAP.

Marcus in danger.

Her next call was to Detective Superintendent Drummond. ‘Matthew, it’s Augusta Bloom again. There’s been a development.’ She explained about Jake Peterson’s smartwatch and how they’d tracked it to a house nearby.

‘Is the father involved then?’ Drummond asked.