‘She’s listed his deployments: where he went and for how long. I’ll let you take a look at those in case anything jumps out.’ Bloom turned to the last few pages. ‘Good for you, Karene. She’s gathered all the information to answer the emailer’s questions. “What do you know about the man you love?” Age, birthplace, career, places he’s lived, family members including Caroline and their two children, a list of likes and dislikes. He likes entertaining and dislikes injustice.’

‘Sounds like your average Miss World.’

‘He just wants world peace and happiness for all.’

Jameson chuckled.

‘Then, she’s written a paragraph on how she views him. She says he has a fun-loving and light-hearted exterior but underneath is a competent professional who genuinely cares about his work and the people it affects. Apparently, he has an uncanny visual memory and can often recall the smallest of details about somewhere they’ve been or someone they’ve met.’ Bloom lifted her eyes to look out through the windscreen. ‘That’s interesting, isn’t it?’

‘So has he witnessed something? You said different types of memories are stored in different areas of the brain. What about his visual memory? Can we find out if he’s noticed something about his kidnappers?’

‘I don’t know but it’s worth a shot. Can you get us in to see him?’

‘I can keep trying.’

They met a French police officer at the house, and were shown through to the crime scene. Bloom had a basic grasp of French, but thankfully Jameson was fluent. She left them talking and slowly walked around the kitchen to where Julian had been found. The body and its restraints had been removed but the chair remained on the stone floor, which still bore a dark stain where the blood had been. The rest of the room was neat and tidy. A single plate, wine glass and chopping board sat on the drainer next to the deep porcelain sink. Had he been interrupted while washing up? She put on a latex glove and opened the fridge. She was hit by a strong aroma of cheese. The vegetables in the salad tray had turned brown and were dissolving into mush. On the middle shelf sat a half-eaten Camembert next to an open packet of sausages. She closed the door.

‘Apparently they think he was tortured with his own kitchen equipment. The scissors and three knives are with forensics,’ said Jameson.

‘Does that mean they didn’t intend to hurt him? If they didn’t bring their own tools?’

‘There’s always something you can use. And it’s safer not to be carrying anything that can incriminate you.’

‘Are you still thinking amateurs?’

‘Probably highly experienced amateurs.’ He held up a document written in French. ‘Autopsy report. They found nothing to indicate any hesitation in the injuries inflicted. The attacker was confident and competent.’

‘How did you get that?’ she said.