He approached the waiting men. ‘Ay up. Been waiting long? Hope you haven’t caught pneumonia.’

‘Shut up,’ snapped Miller. The businessman wore an expensive padded coat, but still looked cold and miserable. ‘Where’s the key?’

Eddie reached into his leather jacket. Harhund immediately brought up his right hand inside his own coat pocket. The Yorkshireman saw the shape of his gun clearly, even through the fabric, but also something else; every other man bar Miller reacted similarly. They were all armed. ‘Here,’ he said, slowly taking out the waterproof pouch.

‘Open it.’

He did so. Orichalcum gleamed within. ‘Happy?’

‘Give it to me,’ Miller snapped, clicking his fingers.

Eddie slapped it down hard on his open palm, making him flinch. ‘Where’s Nina?’

‘We’re taking you to her. Don’t worry, she’s safe. We need her. You? Not so much, but while I’d like to kick you out of the chopper mid-flight, you’ve still got some uses. Like making sure your wife does what she’s told.’

‘Good luck with that. I’ve been trying for seventeen years!’

One of the guards chuckled.

Harhund was not amused. ‘Move.’

A helicopter waited nearby. The men put Eddie in the centre-rear seat before surrounding him. Harhund sat to his right, pressing his gun against the Englishman’s side. ‘Try anything and I will shoot you,’ he said.

‘I preferred the service on the plane,’ Eddie sighed.

The helicopter took the group past Queenstown and along the lake. Their destination was indeed the Miller estate. On landing, they were greeted by another thick-necked security guard and escorted into the mansion. Miller led the way to a lift, pushing the call button. The doors opened. ‘After you,’ he said with mocking politeness.

Harhund ushered Eddie inside, a jab from his gun telling the Yorkshireman to stop in the centre. ‘Face the door,’ he said as first the guards, then Miller filed in. Eddie reluctantly turned. Both mercenaries took up position behind him, guns fixed upon his back. Two of the guards stood side-on to keep their own watch on the prisoner, the remaining pair flanking their boss.

Miller opened a panel and put his hand on a scanner, then pushed a button. The lift began its descent – a long one, Eddie soon realised. They were going deep underground. How far? He listened to the keening song of the elevator cables, and watched Miller. He would know how long it took to reach the bottom . . .

Which would be Eddie’s only chance to act.

The lift continued downwards, the steel lines whining faintly outside – then their pitch shifted as the machinery began to slow. At the same moment, Miller straightened, readying himself to exit. The four guards took their cue from him, relaxing slightly in anticipation of the end of their claustrophobic journey.