The banter was just part of the routine at Le Val, a throwback to their military days. Ben knew that if he told his friends what was really going on, they’d drop the larking around like a red-hot coal and nobody in the world would be more deadly serious about offering their help in any way possible, with no concern whatever for their own skins. But as alone as he felt at this moment, however much he ached to share his problem with them, it was a risk he dreaded to take. If Saunders and his shadowy team of watchers got the slightest inkling that Ben had broken the rules by bringing in outside help, there would be nothing to stop them from carrying out their threat. Grace would die, and Ben could not live knowing he’d caused that to happen.

Stitched up tight.

No way out.

Except to do what he’d been ordered to do.

‘There’s something I have to take care of,’ he said. ‘Please don’t ask me what it is, because I can’t tell you. When it’s over, I promise that I will. But for the moment I need you to cover for me while I go off and deal with this, alone. I hate having to ask you to do that. I hate this whole situation. But that’s just how it is.’

Whatever quantity of wine Jeff might have consumed that evening, the effects of the alcohol seemed to vanish instantly and he was suddenly as sober as a brain surgeon. Both he and Tuesday were frowning and full of questions that they had to work hard to bite back. ‘You know we’re there for you,’ Jeff said after a beat. ‘Anytime, in any way. No matter what. You know that, yeah?’

‘I do know that.’

‘You’re sure this is how it has to be, mate?’

‘I have no other choice.’

‘Whatever you need from us, Ben,’ Tuesday said. ‘We’ve got your back.’

‘I appreciate it,’ Ben replied.

‘Hey, your hand’s bleeding,’ Tuesday said, noticing Ben’s gashed knuckles. ‘Looks like a nasty cut.’

Ben barely glanced at his injured hand. ‘Just a scratch. Must have knocked it.’

‘Hmm. Whatever you say.’

What Ben had to tell them next was too important not to mention, even though he knew it would sound strange. ‘Listen. One more thing. I need you to screen all phone calls to the office line while I’m gone.’

Now Jeff’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. ‘What? Why?’

Ben replied, ‘Because Grace might try to phone. If she does, I don’t want you to pick up. And whatever you do, don’t call her back. Okay?’