“On her own recognisance, right now,” Julian confirmed at last. “She’ll be back, I’m sure. Although I suspect she’ll want to set some conditions. She has just made herself the lightning rod for every dissatisfied nut job and angry government on the planet.”

“Yes, I see that.” Hind’s profoundly troubled look lasted whole seconds before being banished behind her customary unflappable reserve. “I’ll arrange to speak with the Home Secretary as a matter of urgency. Given the situation out there”—she eyed the sky above the Thames—“I think he’ll be delighted to hear even the most tenuous explanation. Currently we have three terrorist organizations and a cult trying to claim responsibility. Interdimensional aliens is almost a more palatable alternative. As for you two, not a word of this to another living soul.” And, seeing something rebellious in them, she added, “For now. I’m well aware this cannot remain a secret, but at least give me a running start. But you’ll have people to call who need to know that you’re home and safe. I trust you both to do that without a handler listening in.” She permitted herself one-third of a smile. “You’ve done as well as anyone might, given what can only be considered extremely adverse circumstances.”

Nineteen days had passed since Kay and her confederates had put their new plan into action.

Nineteen days without any obvious deviation in the relationship between the timelines. As Kay had explained, the connections between them would grow from intermittent cracks to permanent doors, binding them all together. And according to their predictions, they would do so in a way that left each Earth intact but permanently linked at a multitude of points with its interdimensional siblings. Julian found himself thinking of Mal and Lee’s half stone circle, where both ancient dinosaur descendants and ape descendants had worked to mark out a crossing. That place would be a permanent full circle soon enough, a door from here to there. Perhaps many ancient ritual sites would gain fresh significance. The New Age pagans would go bonkers, he knew. So would the conspiracy nuts and the UFO guys and every different flavour of fundamentalist. In fact, going bonkers was probably a rational response to what was happening.

“You put the report in about Lucas May?” Alison pushed.

Julian nodded. “All filed. Leaves something of a bad taste in the mouth, all told. Especially as he shot me that once. But it’s not about how I feel.” Lucas was currently being held in custody, in reasonable comfort. Given what he knew about Rove, Julian had recommended cautious overtures of recruitment. He didn’t like the man, but Lucas did seem to be competent, and turning against Rove counted for something.

Standing in the office lobby, with the daily bustle of the department going on oblivious around them, they both let out a long sigh of relief.