‘No, she’s a doctor. A consultant anaesthetist at Luton and Dunstable Hospital. But I’m wondering who she’s with now.’

‘You’re thinking another military man?’

‘I’ve known stranger motivations than wanting vengeance on behalf of a new love.’

‘Didn’t you say the wife left Harry?’

Bloom nodded. ‘She had an affair, yes. But these things are never in isolation. We need to ask why she had the affair.’

‘Fine. Let’s speak to the wife.’

‘I’ll get her number from Karene.’

‘Ooh I bet she’ll love that,’ said Jameson with a small laugh. He returned to his computer screen and took another gulp of his drink. ‘I’ll keep digging into Harry’s career.’

‘Have you come across anything useful so far?’

‘Nothing yet. He joined the Navy on a scholarship from Liverpool University in ’95.’

‘What did he study?’

Jameson checked his notes. ‘Geography. He joined the aviation fleet and trained as an officer and pilot then moved up the ranks pretty quick. He was promoted to lieutenant in three years and made captain last year at forty-three.’

‘Is that young?’

‘It’s not bad.’

‘So he’s a bit of a high-flyer. Any idea what he’s worked on?’

‘He was a helicopter pilot in Iraq in 2003 and again in Afghanistan in 2007 and 2010. He was also deployed on a number of humanitarian exercises including acting as the CO of aviation during the 2015 Migrant Crisis.’

‘CO?’

‘Commanding Officer. He was attached to HMS Bulwark, the search and rescue ship.’

‘And did they? Rescue?’

‘Oh yeah.’ He checked his notes. ‘Nearly three thousand migrants travelling from Libya were recovered and delivered to Italy.’

‘All those people risking their lives for a better future.’

‘Three thousand is a drop in the ocean.’

Bloom grimaced at Jameson’s inappropriate pun. ‘I’ll see if we can visit Harry’s ex-wife tomorrow,’ she said picking up her phone to call Karene and ask for Caroline Peterson’s number.

‘Do I need to be there? I could crack on with the background research.’

‘I think we should stick to our tried and tested approach, don’t you?’

‘You managed OK the last few months. You don’t need me holding your hand.’

Bloom took a deep breath as she looked at the back of his head. She would not let him continue to make her feel bad and she certainly would not let his anger affect the quality of their work. Whether he liked it or not, Jameson was coming to see Caroline Peterson with her.

11

Eighteen Months Earlier

Karene arrived five minutes early. She had spent the last few days stressing about what to wear. She kept telling herself it was an interview, not a date. But the need to pitch her outfit perfectly was overwhelming. She had settled on a blue day dress; not too smart, not too casual.