Jameson hung back and let the experts do their thing. The leader approached the caretaker, an elderly man, who was carrying rubbish out to the bins. His eyes widened when he saw the four officers climb down from the blacked-out vehicle in boots and helmets and with headsets and, of course, machine guns. He listened and did little more than nod before leading the team to the side entrance to let them in. One officer peeled off and headed to the rear of the building.

‘Morning,’ said Jameson to the caretaker. The man’s shock had already morphed into excitement. No doubt he’d be dining out on this story for a while.

The men ahead moved stealthily up the stairs and along the corridor to the apartment. The building’s owner hadn’t been able to offer anything that hinted at who these people might be. She’d said that her apartments were booked online, keys left in envelopes on the desk in the entrance hall, and the side door’s access code texted in advance. People could anonymously come and go, she’d said. She rarely saw them.

The team leader gestured for the caretaker who’d accompanied them inside to knock on the door. When there was no answer, he knocked again.

‘Caretaker,’ said the old man. ‘I’m coming in.’ He took out a set of keys and held one up to the lock.

The SBS leader placed a hand on the man’s arm and shook his head. He took the key and gestured for the elderly man to leave. Once the caretaker had safely passed through the internal door, the team leader tried the door handle. It was locked. He inserted the key and turned it. He pushed the door open and, with their guns raised, the three men rushed inside.

‘Armed officer,’ shouted the team leader. ‘Drop your weapons.’

Jameson stood further along the corridor, outside the next apartment. He didn’t want any stray bullets coming his way through the walls.

He heard a different voice.

‘Clear.’

And then the team leader walked back out.

‘Empty. People have been here but no one’s here now.’

‘Shit,’ said Jameson. He took out his phone and called Caroline. ‘Where’s the smartwatch now?’ he said.

‘Why? What’s happened?’

‘They’re not here.’

The line fell silent for a moment. ‘It’s gone. There’s nothing there.’

‘I’ll find them,’ he said, and prayed that he could. ‘The smartwatch isn’t active,’ he said when he’d hung up. ‘Either it’s out of charge or they found it.’

‘Which would explain why they moved.’

Bloom’s phone was off. Karene’s phone was off. Jake’s smartwatch was off.

What now?

79