‘What? I’m not going to ask about your sources, Christopher, but are they accurate?’

‘Watertight, Philip. Benji knows the guy.’

All eyes fell on the Colonel, who had got up to smoke a cigarette on the balcony. He stopped when the name came up, and turned to face his co-conspirators.

‘The link is tenuous. I served for five minutes with him in the same garrison when I first met Brown.’

‘Before or after Brown shagged your daughter?’

‘Fuck off, Christopher.’ The Colonel turned back to Philip. ‘I don’t know what he’s doing in Cumbria. He was a fine soldier but not a career one. He was Brown’s platoon commander.’

‘I’m not feeling this,’ Philip said. ‘It’s a little convenient, isn’t it? How much do you trust Brown? I think he’s set you up, Benji.’

The Colonel shook his head. ‘No chance. It’s pure coincidence. And he won’t have given the police anything. Same for Auntie Brenda – she’s got balls bigger than Churchill’s.’

‘You seem remarkably calm, I’ll give you that. And no result in Cyprus either? Who are you hiring, monkeys?’

‘I’ve had a lot on my mind. They’ll find him.’

‘Splendid. Make sure they do. Is the journalist talking to police?’

‘We don’t know,’ Slater replied.

‘Why not?’

‘She’s not on the system.’

‘But you had her computer checked?’

‘It’s theorising mostly, no names.’

‘Good. Let’s eat. I’m ravenous.’ Philip ended the conversation as waiters carrying silver platters came into the intimate dining room and began setting places and removing lids. He had ordered a lavish brunch of smoked salmon, toasted rolls, cold meats, kippers and fruit. There were jugs of freshly squeezed juice, and champagne should anyone wish to partake. It was a banquet fit for three conspiring males intent on getting away with murder. Philip slapped butter on a roll and layered it with smoked salmon. The noises of men eating greedily filled the room and they all stopped talking.

By the time they’d finished, a good forty-five minutes later, sentient acknowledgement of what they contemplated had been side-lined. The Colonel and Philip went on to the balcony to smoke, and Benji swayed a little.

‘Why can’t we just have this fellow Millar followed?’ Philip asked.

‘I am.’

‘Good man. Who are you using?’

‘Sebastian told me about a private detective who works out of Lancaster. I contacted him and gave him the details. He informed me that Millar drove well out of his way to visit a cottage in the middle of nowhere three times in as many days. Each time he went in, he had a thorough look about first.’

‘Your man must be good.’

‘Apparently Sebastian used him to check out a few things after his grandfather died, and he impressed him.’

‘What does it take to get past an army man, Benji?’