She replied something Ben couldn’t understand. Creece was shrieking in a high-pitched yowl three octaves above his speaking voice. Blood gushed from his stomach. Grace yanked and twisted at the sword, but she couldn’t get it out.

Ben said, ‘Step aside, will you? Fingers in your ears.’

He had to feel sorry for the guy. Or almost. As Grace dropped the sword and did what he asked, he put Creece out of his misery with a bullet to the brain. Creece’s yowling instantly stopped and he rolled over flat to the floor with the sword still embedded through his midsection.

‘Better,’ Ben said. ‘I couldn’t catch a word you were saying.’

‘I said, Hi. Long time no see.’

‘Hi yourself. Been looking for you.’

‘You found me.’

‘Or you found me.’

She shrugged. ‘I was hiding back there. Heard the voices. Thought you could use some help.’

‘I had it all pretty well under control, but thanks anyway.’

‘Bastard. So are you going to give me a hug, or what?’

‘Yes, I am,’ Ben said. And he couldn’t remember the last time he’d meant anything more seriously. He dropped his rifle and stepped towards her, over Creece’s body. Grace opened her arms and the two of them embraced in the darkness.

‘Are they all—?’ she asked.

‘To the last man.’

‘What about Stuart?’

‘No sign.’

‘And … Boonzie?’ She said it tentatively, hardly daring to ask.

‘I found him. He’s back there. He’s going to be okay.’

‘Thank God,’ she sighed.

Ben had something else to thank God for, too. He clasped her for the longest time, as tightly as he’d ever held anyone before, and he felt the tension oozing out of him like a poison being sucked from his veins. Grace’s cheek was wet against his. ‘I was so scared I’d never see you again,’ she whispered.

‘I’m here,’ he said over and over. ‘I’m here.’

Chapter 65

Boonzie was where Ben had left him, but by now the ailing patient was up on his feet and trying to act as though nothing had happened. Grace flew at him and squeezed him so hard that Ben thought she was going to crush the life out of the poor guy.

‘Bless ye, lassie. It’s guid tae see ye again.’

Ben said, ‘Time to start thinking about making that call to Mirella, Boonzie. She needs to hear from you.’

‘Aye, but let’s finish this job first.’

‘Whatever you say. You okay to walk, old man, or shall I give you a piggy-back?’

‘Say that tae me again an’ it’ll be yer final words, ye bawheid.’

Grace said, ‘Whatever’s in that bag, I’m guessing it isn’t fertiliser.’

Boonzie winked slyly. ‘Ye’ll see.’

‘Well, whatever it is you have in mind, do it fast because we’re going to have company. I made a phone call.’

Ben looked at her. ‘The police?’