‘How cynical, Patrick, you were never capable of real understanding. And please, your language. To continue… this man does his best for his new masters. But first, he must protect his bona fides with his old masters.’

‘By appearing to expose and execute MI5 and police informers – and sometimes going beyond appearance,’ said Sara. ‘We want names.’

‘Again please,’ he said. ‘His “handler” is a highly intelligent woman destined for the top. He admires her greatly and wants to help her. She gives him names on her list, he finds out what she needs to know and tells her.’ He paused, looking down on them. ‘I believe J has filled in these gaps for you.’

‘How many were executed, Kareem?’ said Patrick. ‘How many were “disappeared”?’

‘But then the woman he admires,’ continued Kareem, ignoring him, ‘is promoted to be head of her organisation. She will be too senior, too exposed, to continue their partnership. They agree an exit strategy. He is given a new identity and hopes that, one day, he may return to be of service to her and her country. But for now he must be erased from the record.

‘There is a coda. Two years later a short-sighted prime minister sets up an inquiry. A so-called whistleblower emerges. A sharp-brained female lawyer with a connection to this narrative is hired. She begins to poke her nose into dangerous areas. The threat is contained.’

‘By the murder of two people and the attempted murder of another,’ said Patrick.

Kareem shrugged. ‘I am told your father had an accident, Sara. I am so sorry; I am sure no one intended it. I believe he is recovering well.’

‘Where are the bodies, Kareem?’ growled Patrick. ‘For your own sanity and salvation, you need to tell us where the bodies are.’

‘You are too impatient, Patrick. Please, have a sip of water, I repeat my regret that I cannot offer more.’

‘Patrick’s right,’ said Sara, ‘you’ll never live with yourself unless you do. We can do a deal. You’re the innocent party.’

‘We have evidence,’ said Patrick. ‘Kidnapping, imprisonment, assault and battery, torture even.’

Kareem glared at them. ‘What fools you are in danger of becoming. I believe you spoke to a young man called Sami.’

‘Yes,’ said Sara. She had been unsure till this moment, knowing her deduction was unprovable, whether to test it on him. ‘He told me a part of his story.’

‘Part? I understand he was most open with you.’

‘I won’t ask how you understand that. If you do, you will know he missed out the bit that really mattered. The last two hours. Why? Why was he so emphatic in telling me all about his friend Asif’s life as a chef in Birmingham – when Asif’s family said he disappeared twelve years ago. Why, Kareem, why? I’ve thought long and hard about it. Something happened, didn’t it?’

‘Do you really want to know the truth, Sara?’