‘Let’s see about that.’ Stuart snapped his fingers. Hacker and his associate stepped forward from their places either side of the doorway, ready for action.

‘Bring Miss Kirk in here,’ Stuart ordered them. ‘Let’s see how cocky he is while he’s forced to watch his girlfriend having her throat slit open.’

‘It’s a nice rug, boss,’ Hacker said, pointing. ‘You sure you want it all bloodied up?’

‘Then you can put her eyes out with a hot poker,’ Stuart said, motioning towards the fireplace. ‘Then strangle the bitch right there on the hearth.’

Ben shook his head. ‘No. You’re not going to do that.’

Chapter 52

In reply to their stunned silence Ben said, ‘I’ll tell you why. Because Grace Kirk knows everything I know. That makes her your best insurance policy, if I decide not to talk. And cutting out your insurance policy isn’t a smart play. That’s why you smart guys aren’t going to hurt a hair on her head.’

Hacker and his crony exchanged glances. Stuart’s eyes stayed on Ben, narrowing to slits. ‘Bullshit. Another lie. You told me you were the only other person apart from Ross Campbell who knew everything.’

‘That’s what I told you this morning. And it was true then. But this morning was hours ago. I had plenty of time to fill her in on all the details while we were on our way back here.’

‘So where the fuck exactly were you?’ Hacker asked.

‘I was on a fact-finding mission. Learning about a gang of degenerate dirtbags called the Dishonourables. In case you were wondering, I’m not the only one who knows all about you. So do the authorities. The walls are closing in, boys. Not just on you, but your new employer, too.’

Ben knew that the mention of the authorities wouldn’t scare men like Hacker and his friend. But Stuart was made of softer material. His cheeks flushed and he chewed his lip and Ben could tell he was succeeding in getting the man flustered. Flustered wasn’t the same thing as hopelessly defeated and begging for mercy, but it was a start.

Stuart hesitated a moment longer and then snapped, ‘All right, then. So what? You don’t think I can make her talk?’

Ben said, ‘Doesn’t always work that way with torture. Sometimes they just go into shock and close down on you. Other times, they’ll tell you all kinds of nonsense, just to make it stop. It’s not exactly a fine art, never was.’

Stuart sneered, ‘You’d know all about torture, would you?’

‘We were taught how, in the SAS. When it comes to hurting people, I’m a master. As you’ll find out the hard way, Stuart. It’s just a question of time as to how, and when.’ The first part was a lie. The second was not.