Sebastian blushed. ‘Graeme is a trustworthy man. I needed a local and I thought those thugs could turn up any time.’

‘Have you ever handled a weapon before today?’

‘Not that type of weapon.’

‘It’s really not the time for jokes.’

‘Well when is it the time? I’ve lied to the police, I’ve been arrested, my grandfather thought I was depraved, I’ve been disinherited—’

‘Actually, Sebastian, we located George’s will. It would seem that he wanted to do the right thing by you and didn’t entirely agree with your Grandfather. He had it amended just before he died. It states in an emergency clause that if he dies before you, the estate reverts to you in its entirety. It’s a bitter sweet discovery, given what happened.’

‘Are you toying with me, Officer?’ Sebastian asked seriously.

‘Nah, mate, we’re not,’ Matt said. ‘But you’re still under arrest for obstructing the course of justice and using an illegal firearm with intent to maim and kill.’

‘I never meant to hurt Graeme! It would have been a fucking miracle had I hit him.’

‘You can tell that to your lawyer. We’ll keep you in a cell here until your hearing tomorrow, and then you’ll probably be moved to Haverigg Prison to await trial. Unless you use your new-found wealth for bail, of course. You know, it would be an honourable gesture to donate some of that cash to the families of Emily Wilson and Mike Hudson.’

‘Who?’

‘George’s colleagues who were murdered. Do you know anything about that?’

‘No.’

‘What was discussed on your table at the alumni dinner?’

Sebastian looked nonplussed. Matt sighed and referred to his notes.

‘You were sitting with Philip Tooting, Christopher Slater and Colonel Benjamin Dansford.’

‘The same table that George was supposed to sit on, but his name was scribbled out,’ Kelly added.

‘I find those things a mighty bore, to be honest. What Philip says generally goes in one ear and out of the other.’

‘Why do you suppose Colonel Dansford committed suicide earlier today?’

‘What?’

‘We’ve got Slater in custody. Were you privy to the instructions to execute George and his colleagues?’

‘No!’

A uniform entered the room and asked if he could see Kelly outside. She excused herself and closed the door behind her.

‘Ma’am, we’ve received a message from the army base in Dhekelia, Cyprus. Alexandros Skarparis and his mother are both dead. Their bodies were found this afternoon. They were shot.’

‘Oh no.’ Kelly put her hand to her mouth. She went back into the room and beckoned Matt out.

‘What is it? You look ashen.’