‘Armed?’ said Jameson.

Taylor nodded.

‘How the hell did that happen?’

‘We’re still in preparation.’

‘You’re still a military facility.’

‘What about Harry?’ said Karene. ‘I need to know,’ she said in response to Jameson’s glare. ‘Is he alive?’

‘He is,’ said Taylor.

‘He is?’ said Jameson. ‘I thought you said there’d been an attack on Peterson?’

‘I did. But the deceased men are the two porters.’

‘One of your guys intervened?’ Jameson figured this might redeem them a touch. How can a military facility allow armed intruders through the gate?

Taylor shook his head. ‘They shot each other.’

‘They.’ Jameson’s laugh was one of disbelief rather than humour. ‘You’re not serious?’

31

It took all of her willpower not to run and wrap him in her arms. Harry was sitting in a long open space with tiled floor and minimal décor, staring out of the window. The full head bandage he’d been wearing in hospital had been replaced with a small square patch that seemed to have been stapled to his scalp. The bruising on his forehead had darkened to deep purple.

‘Hey,’ she said, softly. ‘How are you?’

He turned to the sound of her voice. A smile formed and then faltered. ‘What are you doing here?’

Harry looked from Karene to Bloom to Jameson.

‘We need to speak to you, Harry,’ said Karene.

‘You’re Caroline’s friend? And who are you two?’

Karene pulled up a chair and sat beside him.

‘I’m not Caroline’s friend, Harry, I’m—’ She swallowed and met his gaze. ‘Harry, I’m yours.’

‘Mine?’

She nodded.

‘My what?’ His voice was solid, unmoved.

She took his hand and squeezed it gently. ‘Just yours. I know we’re not supposed to tell you … things … things you’ve forgotten but you’re going to need me. We have no idea who these people are and why—’

‘Mine as in …’ Harry looked at Bloom and Jameson again. ‘Is that why Caroline hates me? Oh, no.’ He removed his hand from Karene’s and stood up. ‘I never would, never could. No. That’s why she won’t let me see the kids. They hate me.’ He ran his hands down his face. ‘I thought today couldn’t get any worse.’ He looked at Karene. ‘I’m sorry,’ he said. ‘You’re not mine. Whatever this is or was … it’s not any more.’

He walked away and she was left staring after him.

32

Karene sunk down into the seat that Harry Peterson had vacated and Bloom rushed after Harry. Jameson guessed that Karene might want some time alone so he went to find Greg Taylor in the reception, where a construction manager in a shirt and tie with a high-vis jacket and hard hat was surveying the space.

‘Can I take a look at the scene?’ he asked.

‘You know I can’t let you in,’ replied Greg.

‘Just a view from the doorway?’