‘Their protection is no match for me.’

‘I think they have proven otherwise.’ It always amused Abdul when Bello spoke as if he was the one out there doing the grunt work and risking his life. The truth was this man rarely left his gilded cage.

Bello gripped his glass and took a long swig of alcohol. He didn’t like hearing home truths from Abdul, but he was not a stupid man.

‘So, if not the children, then how? How do I get to this man?’

‘A better question is, how do we get this man to come to you?’

‘Yes! Yes. Make him come to me.’ Bello stood. The meeting was over. ‘Make him come to me,’ he said, one more time. And this time it was an order.

47

Harry emerged from the bedroom a few minutes after Caroline had left. His hair was dishevelled but there was now a large white bandage taped rather than stapled to the side of his head. His T-shirt was creased and he was barefoot.

‘Hey honey,’ Karene said, without thinking.

Harry gave her the sort of smile you’d give to an overfamiliar stranger. He sat on the end of the sofa nearest to them and leaned back. They had all heard the conversation in the bedroom; the questions, the accusations and the heated rebukes. It probably wasn’t the best way to recuperate from brain surgery.

‘I’ll get you some water,’ Karene said. She needed to do something.

‘Can I get a coffee?’ he asked.

Karene paused for a moment. Was caffeine advisable? She pushed the worry aside. Harry was having another very bad day in this terrible week; he could have what he wanted. She set about refreshing the cafetière and rinsing the cups as Bloom pulled her seat forward to face Harry.

‘Caroline says you’re doing as well as can be expected. But how are you feeling?’ Bloom asked.

Harry closed his eyes. ‘Furious but fine.’

‘Furious about Caroline?’

Karene watched from the sink. He had shielded her well from his marital breakdown when they first got together. She had never seen him broken-hearted or angry about it. Did she want to see that?

Harry lifted his head. ‘That. And this. Who the hell would do this to me? What have I done to deserve it?’

‘Are you feeling up to a few questions?’

‘I guess so. Fire away.’

‘Marcus and I have been looking into your activities over the past four years with the help of Karene and your boss.’ When Harry looked confused, she said, ‘Rear Admiral Grey. You’ve worked in his team at Northwood for the past year. What’s the last job you recall doing?’

‘I’m Commanding Officer of 814 Air Squadron at Culdrose. I mean, I was. That’s what I remember.’

‘Well, you’ve made a few career moves since then, including a promotion to captain in the past few years.’

‘Yes. Tessa Morrisey told me.’