‘I think what Graeme Millar told me might have been true: old Lord Allerdale was a raging homophobe. He was disgusted with his grandson, who is gay, and cut him out of his will. The whole lot was to be controlled by George – which explains how he was able to keep funding his lab – until Sebastian married and had children. Heirs. Which will never happen.’

‘But the payments to the lab stopped.’

‘Because there was provision in the will. George no longer needed bank transfers. Lord Allerdale gifted him three million in cash. It must be in a separate account.’

‘I thought you said Sebastian didn’t contest the will?’

‘No, it was the solicitors who instructed it: the same ones who represent both the Montague Club and Philip Tooting. Lord Allerdale made him executor three years ago.’

‘And they won?’

‘It’s still being contested, though they originally said it was settled – that was off the record, and they’ve got amnesia over that bit now. They obviously smudged the timeline so that potential investors that Sebastian was lining up didn’t get cold feet and pull out once they learned he was broke.’

Matt allowed the information to sink in. ‘Great work, DI Porter. Can we have a word?’

Kelly looked at her team and they took it as a sign to get back to work. ‘Once we’ve secured arrest warrants, we can call it a day. I want you to go home and get some rest. I’m afraid I might need some of you tomorrow as planned. I’ll let you know.’

‘Yes, boss.’

Kelly took Matt into her office. Before he could speak, she asked him if he’d looked into a leak at Hendon.

He nodded. ‘I’ve got someone I trust completely having a nose around staff sheets, job uptake and log-on hits on the PNC. He did call me when I was on the train and I intended to check it out this afternoon.’

‘It’s this afternoon now, Matt.’

‘I know.’

‘It’s difficult to swallow?’

He nodded.

‘Have you got a name?’

He nodded again. ‘I don’t know for sure, but I told the DI who’s doing the digging to look into his background. He’s a young sergeant who was overlooked for the detective route. I told him he needed more experience. He’s logged on to the PNC way more than he should be for his grade. He’s been in the office every day, and… You know you asked me to put the DEFRA surveillance on HOLMES?’

She nodded.

‘It worked, apparently. He’s not been in since. I’ll call Hendon now and see if they’ve traced his desk phone calls.’

‘Thanks, Matt.’

‘He’s throwing a good career away; he’ll get hammered if it’s true.’

‘Is it too soon to question him?’