Bello shook his head. ‘Your cousin said you came for her, took her home with you.’

‘I don’t remember that.’

‘Why did you take her?’

Harry shook his head.

‘What did you do with her mother?’

Harry said nothing.

‘You thought you could take them for yourself?’

‘No.’

‘You thought you could take my women for yourself?’

‘I am a happily married man.’ Except he wasn’t. He was divorced. Maybe Caroline had moved on because he’d had the affair first. Harry couldn’t see it, though. He’d never played around and there’d been plenty of opportunity travelling the world and away from home for months at a time.

‘Get the girl,’ Bello said into the phone.

Sophie pleaded with them, begging them not to do whatever they’d planned, not to hurt her. Harry couldn’t catch his breath and as her scream filled the room, he dug his nails into his palm. It echoed in his brain continuing for much, much too long.

‘OK. Stop it. Stop. I’ll tell you everything.’

81

The cabin of the yacht was comfortable and spacious, not that any of them were in the right frame of mind or position to appreciate that. They were kneeling on the floor, their wrists fastened in front of them with cable ties. The foot soldier was once again in the doorway, gun in hand and eyes ahead.

‘You total bastard,’ said Karene, when George reappeared with Sophie.

‘Careful, Karene,’ said Bloom. They had no idea what would happen next.

Sophie’s hands shook as George forced her to kneel again. She had an angry patch of scorched red skin on the palm of her left hand. Jake had said it was from a lighter, his hand held above it, closer and closer until he screamed.

George didn’t respond to Karene. He simply walked out with the phone still held to his ear.

Sophie hung her head and sobbed. Her brother leaned against her in a show of support and Karene reached as far as she could with her bound wrists to touch Sophie’s arm.

‘What did they want?’ asked Bloom. ‘What were they asking of your dad?’

‘I don’t know,’ said Jake. ‘I heard Dad say that he couldn’t remember. That’s all.’

Bloom was impressed with the young lad. Not only had he had the wherewithal to hide his watch, but he also seemed to be taking this latest experience in his stride.

‘Remember? How can they be asking him to remember when they took his memories away?’ said Karene.

‘I don’t think it was them,’ said Bloom.

‘What do you mean?’

‘Jameson thinks there are two groups after Harry. One want him to talk. The other want to shut him up.’

‘Well they should all leave him the fuck alone,’ said Karene. ‘He’s a good man. An amazing man.’