Jameson walked back towards her. ‘I’ll tell you the same thing I told Grey. We came to you within days of the bomb and told you it was all about Harry and you chose to do nothing. Now his children, girlfriend and probably my partner are in serious danger. Let’s not forget these people killed three and maimed a further eight with that bomb just to cover their kidnapping. So if you do not include and inform me I will have no hesitation in going to the press and telling them that as an ex-secret service agent, who risked his life for the country, I’m appalled with how you people failed to protect one of your own. And before you ask, yes, I will be using names.’

Tessa Morrisey stood a little straighter. ‘I will call you, Sir, as soon as we hear.’

88

Harry braced himself for the next punch. The attack had been relentless and he was losing track of time. His mouth tasted of blood and he tried not to think about the head injury and how this might affect it. Perhaps he’d suddenly regain his memories. But probably not.

Their list had been impressive. Harry was pretty sure that Seraphine had enjoyed making it as ridiculously expansive as possible, adding in many obscure and remote towns so that the names filled the entire book. Bello had read the first page with a satisfied smile but then had flicked ahead, each turn of the page more frantic than the last, until the reality of it dawned on him. It would be impossible to use this list to find Alina Maree.

Harry expected a verbal outburst or a demand that they start again, but Bello hadn’t said a word. He’d walked up to Harry and punched him hard in the face, probably breaking his nose. After that, he’d grabbed Harry around the neck and pushed him off the chair and on to the floor so that his left cheek was crushed against the coarse wood. The smell of cleaning fluid was stronger down there. Harry had tried to lift his head but Bello had held it down. Silent punch after silent punch; his head, his ribs, his arms. Harry had curled into a foetal position to protect himself and Bello had stamped on his legs and kicked his spine.

And then it stopped, as abruptly as it had begun.

When Harry raised his head, he saw Bello sitting on the edge of the table reading the notebook as though the past few minutes hadn’t happened. Harry wondered if he’d had some vivid hallucination, but then he moved and pain screamed from every inch of his body.

‘I think the only thing that will convince you to help me is your daughter.’ Bello picked up his phone.