‘We don’t know yet,’ the sergeant said. ‘These guys are dangerous. We need to get permission from higher up the line. Our politicians are talking to the only people here who are fit to speak. That’s the deputy head of council and the finance councillor, and they’re both still in a state of shock. But the decision to negotiate isn’t up to us.’

‘It has to be.’

‘You want to storm the place?’

‘No, but…’

‘Then…’ The sergeant was watching him curiously, sensing his tension. This was the team sent in as a front line at every crisis, and he knew Ben well. Ben usually worked efficiently, with little emotion. He was emotional now.

He couldn’t stop being emotional.

‘I need to talk to Lily.’

‘We need your written assessment by dusk,’ the sergeant said mildly.

‘You’ll have it. But the priority is Lily.’

He found her sitting outside the hospital, under a group of palms in the hospital gardens. There were three islanders with her-an old woman and two children. The old woman was keening her distress while the children looked on in incomprehension. Ben hesitated, but then he walked close enough to listen.

Lily glanced up as he approached. He gave a slight shake of his head. The hope that had flared in her eyes faded, and she turned again to the old woman, pulling her into her arms and hugging her close.

‘Hush. Kira died instantly, Mary. You know that.’

‘My only sister.’

Lily didn’t speak again. She simply held her, not hurrying, waiting until the woman had sobbed the worst of her grief out, waiting until she raised her head of her own accord, waiting until she was ready to talk.

‘Do you want help to look after the children?’ she asked her at last. ‘I can find someone if you need to be alone.’

The old woman glared and pulled away as if Lily had said something obscene. She put out her arms and the children, a girl of about five and a boy of about three, scooted in and were hugged tight.