It was cool under the shade of the umbrellas, and Alex watched the world go by beyond his sunglasses. Despite his apprehension, he had a good feeling about Tilly Knight.

Her call came through as his fish, chips and mushy peas arrived. They’d be boiling hot anyway, and he put them to one side. A lovely, open face filled the screen and Alex smiled.

‘Tilly?’

‘Alex?’

There was a time lag, but after they’d got used to that, Tilly told Alex about what she’d discovered in the Lake District, and they fell into a conversation about what they might do next. They had several options, one of which was going to the press.

‘Historically, cases like this get squashed before they even reach print, because they’ll have someone working on the inside,’ Tilly said. ‘As soon as we press “send” on the computer, there’ll be some kind of encryption to flag up sensitive words and phrases, and they’ve got the money to employ someone full-time to do it. It’s as sophisticated as what the Met has at its disposal.’

‘Really?’ Alex was shocked.

‘I’m afraid people can always be bought. Or killed.’

It was brutal. Alex stared at her.

‘I’m sorry. I don’t need to remind you of that.’

‘I found their bodies.’ There was a silence. ‘I think I’m next.’

‘They’ve probably worked out where you are. I’m sorry, that’s the truth. However, killing someone abroad is always tricky. Have you got a property that no one else knows about?’

‘We have a house in the Troodos Mountains. But what about my family?’

‘Can you convince them to go with you?’

‘I have thirty-two cousins.’

‘Right. It could protect them if you can’t be found. It might be your only hope. Don’t tell anyone you’re going.’

Alex put his sunglasses on his head and wiped his eyes. ‘Tilly, the man who found George. Did he say he suffered?’

‘It was a gunshot to the head, Alex. It was quick.’

‘But he knew it was coming.’

‘Yes, that’s why he called me that evening. I think the police have traced my number.’

‘What will you do? You can always come here. We can hide together.’

‘Tempting.’ Tilly bit her lip and Alex watched her. She was beautiful, and he wondered how George had found her.

‘We need to be able to talk at short notice. As for the documents and data, I think the only safe way to do it is if you hold each page up to the screen and I photograph it on my phone. I’ve bought a new one without a contract. I paid cash.’

‘You’re quite the detective.’