‘I can do that. Meanwhile will you update bloody HOLMES?’

‘I really don’t want to.’

‘What? Tell me what you’re thinking. I can hear your brain from here. I should never have let you go.’

Kelly ignored the comment. ‘We’re talking huge money here. You know that Philip Tooting’s basic salary was one point two million last year, and that’s nothing compared to his share options and benefits, not to mention his freebies. His bonus in March was three million, and most of that was invested abroad. His company turns over billions of dollars per year. Why would he not mourn the death of a man he shared cosy dinners with? George’s name was scribbled out and no one at that event paid their respects or made a speech in his honour. Why? What was the neurocellular lab working on that was so threatening? I thought antidepressants and the like were worth billions – as would be a cure for addiction – so what’s the problem? What did they do wrong?’

‘Are you suggesting we create an elite investigation?’

‘Yes. If it goes on to HOLMES, everybody from Hendon to the Hebrides will know within hours.’

‘Now you’re pointing the finger at the Met? For God’s sake, Kell. Hang on.’

‘Haven’t you listened to anything I’ve said? How do we know that more agencies aren’t involved? Who else knows about it at DEFRA? How deep does this go? Is it a World Health Organisation issue?’

‘You’re joining dots that haven’t been drawn yet. It’s a fatal flaw in police work.’

‘Don’t you dare make this about me! Tilly Knight spoke to George once, and we traced that call from inside Allerdale House. How did anyone else know she was involved?’

‘So you’re pointing your finger at my team?’

‘Would it hurt to check file activity from those not necessarily tasked with the finer details?’

‘Inside my office?’

She could smell his indignation but she had to know.

‘Give me some evidence and I’ll take it to the commissioner,’ he said at last.

‘How long?’

‘Twelve hours.’

‘And it stays off HOLMES?’

Silence.

‘There’s more,’ she said.

‘I’m all ears.’

‘I spoke to the MoD again after what you told me about the military police not being able to get hold of Alexandros. Tilly can’t get hold of him either and they were supposed to Skype to exchange documents. Alexandros Skarparis went off radar hours after a conversation I had with a brigadier at the MoD.’

‘Now you expect me to believe the army is involved?’