‘I have been working on Mr. Foxley’s finances. Gaining access to his accounts at Coutts was a time-consuming and frustrating process, but we know the dent in his finances during the period he bought Martinez’s flat was considerable. He was then very generous in his divorce settlement. Although he earned considerable sums, he paid substantial amounts in alimony to his wife, on his own mortgage and on the property he handed over to her. He had no substantial savings, but often withdrew two to three thousand pounds per week in cash, which we assume he was spending at Mandy Pilkington’s. I believe Foxley was also spending money on drugs, but we haven’t found where he was purchasing them.’

Spencer stood up. ‘We’re still waiting on the toxicology report from the postmortem.’

Collins nodded and gestured for Spencer to sit down. ‘I suggest we make further inquiries with all the agents in the company to discover if his drug use was common knowledge, and if anyone else there uses drugs recreationally. Mr. Foxley did have considerable earning power but it appears he was living above his means.’

He glanced towards Jane, who stood up.

‘We have information that Foxley was an obsessive gambler on the horses, sir. On one credit card alone, he owes ten thousand pounds. Also, his will stipulates that his wife inherits his shares in the business.’

Collins tapped the table with his pen. ‘We need to clarify just how the agents plan to run the company without him. Apparently clients are leaving in droves, but we need to confirm if there was a possible monetary motive.’ Collins closed his notebook and looked around the table. ‘I have to say that I have not come across a compelling one as yet; a motive, that is. Like him or dislike him, Foxley was a major part of this company and was able to secure, even in the last months before his death, two exceedingly big artists.’

As he sat down, Walker poured some water for him and topped up his own beaker. The last one to speak was Harry Bellamy, he stood up and gave a slow look around the room.

‘OK. I’m afraid that due to the little time I’ve had, this will be a rough sketch until I’ve gained further access to all the evidence, specifically to go through the diary. This is vitally important, in my opinion, for what it doesn’t say. We are presuming the dates and times of “family matters” refer to visits to Mandy Pilkington, but this can only be confirmed once we know just how much money the victim was paying out to her.