‘I had no need to.’ Kelly frowned. This was entirely unexpected and threw her way off the scent. It even made her question whether the murders were connected at all. She felt a fool. And she’d have to break it to Matt. ‘Are you sure?’

‘One hundred per cent.’

‘It still stinks. Why were the three victims killed within hours of one another? Plus they not only worked together, but were working on some clandestine project of their own. And why has Alexandros fled to Cyprus?’

‘Greed? Perhaps he knew how valuable their findings were and wanted to cash in himself.’

‘No. The bodies were set up. Drug dealers usually love to scatter paraphernalia around, because it gets them off the hook. And it doesn’t explain moving George’s body. Dealers can’t be bothered to do that. Unless…’

‘What?’

‘The bathroom George died in was cleaned. What if it wasn’t to hide evidence from the police, but to conceal it from the owner?’

‘Lord Allerdale’s grandson? Why?’

‘I don’t know, but when something like that happens, it’s usually to protect the person who lives there. That makes it personal.’

‘Who’s the coroner doing the autopsy on the two victims found in the garage?’

‘I’ll email the details to you. Why?’

‘They were stripped as well, weren’t they?’

‘Yes.’

Kelly could see Matt staring at her and looking at his watch. She really had to get away from him. Especially after last night. She turned back to her phone.

‘Tidy,’ Ted said. ‘Rare for murder.’

‘I agree. Look, I have to go. I’ve made my mind up, I’m coming home tomorrow. I’ll see you soon.’

Kelly walked back to where Matt was sitting. He had some news. Not only was Matilda Knight not answering her phone, but her flat had been turned over, and ten thousand pounds had been transferred to her account by George Murphy before he died.

‘Does she have a car?’

‘We’re already on it. She drove up the M6 on Tuesday.’

‘She’s gone to do her own homework.’

‘Exactly.’

Chapter 28

Professor Cooper stormed into the CEO’s offices. The admin staff were used to it. Not all heads of sections could get away with it, but with Cooper, it was different. Tooting never seemed to complain, and while he would impose an informal ban on letting other scientists into his office, the same was never true for her.

Gossip pointed to two reasons: one on the left side of her chest, and the other on the right.

Glances were shared across the room as she waltzed past Tooting’s personal assistant and into his office, slamming the door.

‘Miranda!’

‘Don’t Miranda me! What’s going on? I could lose my licence, Philip. You said you’d cover my arse, and so far all you’ve covered is afternoon tea and a shag at the Ritz.’