Philip buzzed his PA and asked for Professor Cooper to be added to the list of scientists who’d need an appointment in future. Then he walked to the huge window that took up a whole wall and peered across London. He’d told Miranda she’d have to hold her nerve, and that was exactly what was required. If Ravensword was to be implicated in anything illegal, a full-blown lengthy inquiry would have to be launched. Yes, they might have massaged a few figures, but the detectives weren’t looking for numbers that didn’t add up, or exaggerated findings, or expense accounts used to schmooze clients. They were merely after what old George was doing in his garage in Bethnal Green.

The two detectives had played their good cop, bad cop routine earlier this afternoon and Philip had almost laughed out loud. The male wore a cheap suit and fancied himself as some hotshot saving the world, one nasty pharmaceutical at a time. The female, on the other hand: now she was one to watch. She reminded Philip of himself: eagle-eyed, alert to every movement and eye twitch. She was good. He’d seen her studying his hands and his legs, as well as his face. Body language was important for business too, and Philip had learned the art well. He could always tell if one of his juniors was up to something, and DI Kelly Porter had the same nose. He liked her.

But she was batting for the other team, sadly.

‘Why do you think the crimes are connected, Detective?’ he’d asked.

‘Occam’s razor, Mr Tooting. I’m sure you’ve heard of it.’

Philip’s eyes had flicked to his vast book cabinet, where a copy of Professor Nuttall’s tome on problem-solving sat. He had no idea how she’d spotted it, but his secretary did say that she’d been here snooping around before. She shouldn’t have been able to get into his office, but maybe she had.

‘No, I haven’t,’ he lied. He wanted to have a little fun.

‘I’m sure you can google it. Or look in one of your books. Or are they there just for show?’ she’d asked.

‘Yes, they were left here by the last CEO. I think they look nice.’

They detectives had stayed for almost half an hour, asking questions about his staff, procedures, access to research and other files, and if he knew what George Murphy had been up to in his garage.

‘Murphy was formally reminded of his restrictive covenant last year; why was that?’

‘You’d have to ask HR. Ravensword is very much like the police, Miss Porter, we have departments for different jobs. I oversee, and I don’t read everything I sign.’

‘Isn’t that a little remiss?’

‘I think that’s a fairly immature question. I have to trust and delegate. I can’t see everything.’