The bright blue boat tilted ominously to one side in the water and was packed with people clinging on, sitting on the roof and jammed into every space on the small deck. She could see children and only a handful of orange life vests. The picture quality wasn’t good enough to make out faces or expressions, but she could imagine the desperation.

To help or to hinder. Your choice.

Harry had assisted the migrant relief effort. She recalled Jameson saying that some people felt that not saving drowning migrants would deter others. Could Harry have made that call? He would certainly have been senior enough to stand down air support. But would he? Karene would think it impossible.

Rear Admiral Grey described Harry as reliable, a safe pair of hands, a man who could be trusted not to let others down, someone who inspired loyalty and knew how to get what he wanted. His ex-wife had expanded on that, saying that if Harry wanted something he could turn the full force of his personality on the recipient. She had called him an entertainer. Which matched Karene’s description. Bloom imagined a gregarious, engaging man who could turn on the charm. But Caroline had also said he could be distant and secretive, especially towards the end of their marriage.

Bloom checked her notes to confirm when the Peterson marriage had ended. She raised her eyebrows. It was sometime in late 2015: the same year that Harry had been deployed on the search and rescue mission. Was that significant? She made a note to speak to Caroline again and check it out. Finally, Karene had told them that Harry’s light-hearted exterior masked a conscientious professional who disliked injustice and had chosen to spend his life helping others. She had also mentioned his uncanny visual memory.

Bloom turned to his career history. He was a decorated naval officer and an experienced pilot, so clearly dedicated and intelligent. He had been to war three times and had experienced things others couldn’t imagine. Karene’s expertise suggested that this either rendered people realistic and resilient, or very much damaged. Karene felt that Harry was the former, but people were good at masking their true selves, especially when it came to their mental health. Caroline had described her ex-husband as emotionless. Was he in denial or repressing his trauma?