‘We saved them, though, did we not?’

‘We did, yes. But that doesn’t change the promise I made.’ Kate dropped her half-smoked cigarette on to the terrace and carefully trod it out. ‘I’m sorry I can’t be of more help. I’ll make my own way home.’

She’d reached the double doors before he spoke again. ‘I said I haven’t finished yet.’

Kate stopped, turned. The menace in his voice was unmistakable.

‘I need your help, Kate.’

‘This conversation has gone as far as it’s going to.’

‘I need someone whose integrity is not in question. Someone who knows every angle of this story, who is of the organization but outside it. We’ve taken a pretty lenient attitude to Stuart’s position so far,’ he said, ‘but I’m afraid your continued cooperation is the price you must pay for that.’

‘I’m sorry …’ Despite the cool night breeze, Kate could feel the heat in her cheeks. ‘What did you say?’

‘Your husband should be in a British prison cell. Instead, he’s living it up in balmy French sunshine.’

‘That’s the deal I made with Mrs Grove.’

‘It may have been, but times change.’

Kate had to resist the temptation to punch him. ‘You utter bastard,’ she said.

‘If you carry out the investigation, regardless of the conclusion, I give you my word – and I will put it in the form of a legal undertaking, if you wish – that I’ll leave you and Stuart alone for the rest of your lives. If not, I’m afraid we’ll have to revoke his freedom to leave Moscow. He will no longer be able to see either you or the children.’ He shrugged. ‘I can see you’re not pleased—’

‘Not pleased? You should probably call your protection officers before I break your bloody neck.’

‘Punchy.’ He smiled again. ‘Look, I don’t blame you. I’d be angry too. We’ll give you tonight to think about it. But we need to be on our way by ten tomorrow morning, so I’ll spin past your house beforehand for your answer. Want a lift home?’

‘I’ll walk. I need a little time to process your duplicity.’

‘That’s the spirit, Kate. All’s fair in love and war.’

Kate didn’t return his grin. She set off for the farmhouse without bothering to say goodbye to Shirley Grove, whom she was inclined now to view with even deeper contempt. So much for the impartiality of the civil service.

She stormed through the village, past the church and the shuttered windows of the tabac. But she slowed on the last stretch of the journey past the coppice and sat for a moment by the side of the road. She toyed with the stones around her feet.

The bastard. The complete, utter, total bastard. What on earth was she going to tell the kids?

She’d have to say no. She couldn’t, wouldn’t, shouldn’t go back. She’d promised them faithfully she’d left all the fear and terror behind them, that she would never do anything to put them at risk again. Kate thought of the video she’d been sent by the Albanians of Fiona and Gus, trussed and terrified. The fake footage of Fiona being beheaded. She stood, determined to tell the prime minister where to stick his new inquiry.