‘He will release Dr Morrisette and Mr Miller if you surrender to him in person within forty-eight hours. You may stipulate where and when you will surrender within those forty-eight hours.’

‘That won’t solve his problem with the victims of the Emergence fraud.’

‘He said your offer would not solve his problems either. There would be nothing to stop you telling his enemies how to find him.’

‘I would have given him my word. But that, I suppose, wasn’t likely to be good enough for him.’

‘He said his enemies could force the information from you even if you tried to withhold it.’

‘Perhaps. But he would have had a head start. Still, he’s made his choice. And I must make mine.’

‘What answer do you wish me to give him?’

‘Did you ask for an assurance that he would leave you and your family alone?’

‘No.’

‘Why not?’

‘I did not think I would be able to believe any assurance he gave me. And I have no wish to be deluded by a false sense of security.’

‘Logical, but … regrettable.’

‘What answer do you wish me to give him?’ she repeated.

The rain had almost stopped now. A faint rainbow had formed somewhere to the north. ‘Tell him I agree,’ said Driscoll.

‘You realize—’

‘Just tell him, Wada. I know what it means.’

He knew. And so did she. ‘I will tell him.’

‘As to where and when … six o’clock tomorrow morning, Porthtowan beach.’

‘Porthtowan?’

‘It began there forty-two years ago, when I crawled ashore after leaving Alison to drown in that cave under Nancekuke. So, it may as well end there. Tell him I’ll wait at the western end of the beach, near the tideline. He should deliver Nick and Dr Morrisette to the eastern end. Nanoq will meet them and confirm they’re OK. Then I’ll be … at Nishizaki’s disposal.’

‘Is this the only way, Driscoll-san?’

‘Yes. I rather think it is.’

‘Then I will deliver the message.’

‘Thank you. Will you be there too?’

‘At Porthtowan?’

‘I think you should be. I think you’ll regret it later if you’re not. Go up on to the western headland above the beach. You’ll see it all from there.’

‘Why—’ Wada began.

But Driscoll had already rung off. Leaving her to watch the rainbow slowly dissolve and to wonder why he thought she needed to see what was going to happen at Porthtowan twenty hours in the future.

She went back down to the boardroom. She was puzzled, as she approached from the lift, by the absence of the guard. She knocked on the door and entered.

Nishizaki wasn’t there. A slim, trouser-suited young Japanese woman with long and lustrous black hair rose from a chair at the table to greet her. They exchanged clipped but courteous bows. ‘Wada-san,’ the young woman said. ‘My name is Nambu.’

‘Where is Nishizaki-san?’ Wada asked.