Sebastian sighed and hung his head. ‘Grandfather was old school.’ He looked between them and to the uniform at the door. ‘I’m gay, and my grandfather was devastated. So much so that when Philip threw oil on the flames, he changed his will.’

‘What did Philip do?’

‘He showed him photos.’

‘What photos?’

Sebastian glanced again to the policeman at the door.

‘Of me at the Montague Club with various lovers. The same room was always booked for me, you see, and I had no idea. My grandfather was furious. He called me an animal. I was lucky to have anything put in trust really.’

‘We’ve read the will. Why did your grandfather think you might decide to marry and settle down?’

‘He saw homosexuality as a disease that could be cured. I promised him it was a passing thing.’

Kelly felt sympathy for the man in front of them, but it still didn’t explain what had happened to George.

‘Why were you at Allerdale House on Sunday the second of June?’

‘I was negotiating with George. He understood my predicament and appreciated the unfairness of it all. Philip didn’t want George having any of my grandfather’s money because it would weaken his hand when he came to force George to hand over whatever he was working on.’

‘Did you know that the men who turned up were there to kill him?’

Sebastian hung his head again. ‘No, but I realised it after I’d heard what happened.’

‘And did George know he was in danger?’

‘I tried to get him to leave with me, but he was stubborn and proud. He didn’t believe anybody would sully Grandfather’s memory.’

‘So when did you leave?’

‘After I saw the men go. They really did say that they were surveyors. George had mentioned that Grandfather wanted to renovate the place but was too old. We discussed a leisure complex. I thought he’d called a firm of surveyors, and I guess he thought I had.’

‘And you lied to us because…?’

‘Philip still has footage of me.’

‘I see.’

‘Why was there no tribute to George at the alumni dinner on Wednesday?’ Matt threw in a hardball.

‘It wasn’t discussed. I don’t have the authority to…’

‘Or the courage?’ It was cruel but true. ‘You’re scared of Philip?’

Sebastian looked away. ‘Not scared, more beholden. I don’t want those pictures reaching the newspapers. My family is landed, titled and rich; it would be a juicy story for the gutter press.’

‘And your companion?’

‘He’s a waiter at the Montague Club. I thought we could move away together. I never imagined that anyone would turn up at Allerdale House looking for me.’

‘But you gave Graeme Millar a bloody job!’ Matt raised his voice. ‘Why? Wasn’t that a little risky?’