‘This is where it’s a bit odd, so I had my colleagues check it again, but they say that their records show Mr Peterson visited them on Monday 31st July.’

Jameson moved forward in his seat. ‘This year?’

‘This year.’

‘But that would be—’

‘Two days after the bomb, yes,’ said the manager.

How could he have opened the bank account after the bomb? He’d been with the kidnappers having his memory surgically wiped.

Jameson thanked the manager and left. In his car he opened his iPad and checked the file on Harry’s case. The bomb attack had occurred on Saturday 29th July and Harry had rocked up in Exeter A&E sometime in the late afternoon or early evening of Tuesday 1st August. Jameson looked out on to the shopping centre car park and watched a woman trying to fit a large suitcase in the passenger seat of her sports car. Harry said he had no recollection of the security box key and if that was true that meant his memory was wiped after he visited the bank in Peterborough on Monday morning. That still left thirty-six hours to perform the surgery and get him to Exeter A&E. But how did he get away from them to get to the bank? And more importantly why would he go back to them?

There was only one logical answer. They must have taken him there. Whatever he put in that security box, they wanted him to put it there. They were about to go to extreme lengths to ensure Harry had no memory of his actions over the past few years, and yet they allowed him to put something in a box and keep the key to it.

For the life of him, Jameson could not imagine what that something might be.

98

The helicopter landed on Whale Island in Portsmouth and they were welcomed back by Caroline Peterson, Jameson, Rear Admiral Grey and his right-hand woman Captain Morrisey.

‘There’s someone here for everyone except me,’ said Karene as the helicopter powered down and one of the crew opened the door for them.

Bloom took Karene’s hand and squeezed it. ‘You’ve had someone here for you all along.’

‘I know. Thank you.’

‘You’re welcome. I’ll send you the bill.’

Karene laughed. Bloom knew it was adrenaline and relief rather than true happiness. She wouldn’t truly feel happy until Harry was safe.

Bloom watched Sophie and Jake run to their mother and the three of them folded themselves into a hug. ‘Sophie will need some counselling, I think. Jake as well.’

‘I’ll speak to Caroline,’ said Karene.

‘And you might too.’

‘I’ll be fine.’

‘Maybe. Maybe not. Think about it.’

‘You’re the one who had a gun pointed at her head,’ Karene said as they headed for Rear Admiral Grey.