“Professionally, sir? No, I don’t think so. Ernie Todd was done for drunk driving a couple of years ago, but I can’t recollect anything since.”

“As far as you’re concerned it’s a legitimate business? You’ve heard no rumours of any tax fiddle, VAT fraud, anything which Charles might have used to blackmail the family?”

“I wouldn’t put it past them, but I don’t know how Charlie would have got to hear about it.”

“Charles seems to have had a nose for a secret.”

“So he does, sir. Would you like me to make a few discreet inquiries?”

“Would you mind?” George was a little surprised at the offer of help.

“Well sir, Superintendent Savage said that I was to help you in any way I could. I can see what you’re getting at. It would be very interesting wouldn’t it, if there was anything of that sort?”

Connibear was tactful. He was very careful not to hurry away. It was George Palmer-Jones who looked at his watch and said that he must go. He was satisfied with the interview and walked quickly up the hill to the High Street. He found the Todds’ office very easily. The sportswear shop over which it was situated was smart, the clothes were expensive. There was a separate entrance to the office beside the shop. Inside the stairs were carpeted. At the top of the stairs a secretary sat behind a modern desk. She seemed to be good at her job. As soon as he pushed open the door she smiled at him and said “Good morning”. She was blonde. Her hair was short and well cut in a fashionable sort of way. She sat upright behind her typewriter. There was no bottle of Tipp-Ex in a prominent position on the desk. She had an air of competence and good humour, and she seemed to be very young to have such self-confidence and efficiency.

“Good morning,” he said. “I’d like to speak to Mr. Todd.”

“Yes sir,” she said. “Mr. Ernest Todd or Mr. Laurence Todd?”

“I’d like a word with them both if I could.”

“I’m afraid Mr. Ernest Todd isn’t in yet. I’ll ask Mr. Laurence if he can see you. Could you give me your name and some idea what it’s about?”

“Yes,” he said. “ My name’s Palmer-Jones. I’m representing Gillibry Observatory Trust. As perhaps you are aware we were major beneficiaries in Charles Todd’s estate. There were some technical matters I needed to discuss.”

“Of course,” she said. “ I’ll just see if Mr. Todd’s free.”

She took him for a solicitor or an accountant. She was about to go into one of the offices. He called her back.

“Before I see Mr. Todd, perhaps you could help me. I’m trying to trace Charles Todd’s movements in the few weeks before he died. Did he come here at all during those weeks?”

“No,” she said, without hesitation. “ He very rarely came to the office. I would have remembered if he had.”