‘I was strictly freelance, working for whoever paid me the most,’ said Jon unapologetically. ‘That just happened to be Dan most of the time. He used Callie and the courts to get rid of his enemies who couldn’t be got at any other way. And, Callie, you did a first-rate job. Dan loved working with you.’

I could only imagine what this news was doing to my daughter. She loved the law. To hear that she’d been used by Jon and a man like Dan Jeavons for their own ends had to be devastating.

‘So you were on Dan’s payroll and then you decided to get a little something-something for yourself,’ I said. ‘You are so pathetic, Jon.’

‘And this time tomorrow I’ll be pathetic on an island eating flying fish and sipping vodka martinis.’

Look at this man. Look at all the pain and hurt he’s caused. Look what he’s done to our daughter, Callum. She believed in him. She trusted him. So did I.

I took another step forward, but big mistake – I got too close. Jon grabbed hold of my arm and spun me round, pulling me against his body, his gun to my head. The barrel was hard and oh so cold against my temple. ‘That’s far enough, Durbridge.’

Tobey froze, still over a metre away from Jon. Everyone else was behind him. Tobey was close to Jon, but not close enough.

‘No more talk. Transfer my money now, Tobey. And don’t insult my intelligence by telling me you can’t do it from your phone because we both know you can.’

The barrel of the gun was being stabbed into my temple as a reminder to the whole room that he meant business. Callie was only a step behind Tobey. Sonny was still the furthest away. Jarvis stood at Eva’s side. All eyes were on Jon and me.

‘All right. Calm down. I’ll do as you ask,’ said Tobey. ‘Just don’t hurt Sephy.’

He raised the phone in his hand and started tapping at the screen.

‘All this to get money,’ I said with contempt. ‘You disappoint me, Jon. I thought you had more imagination.’

‘Since when does imagination pay the bills? Thanks to Tobey, I’ll be getting a great deal of money. What other reason is there to do anything in this world?’ Jon’s breath was warm and unpleasantly moist against my ear. ‘The moment the money hits my bank account, adios and I’m gone. I don’t think that’s too much to ask.’

‘You’re lying, Jon. You’re not going to leave any witnesses, are you? Is that why you’re pointing Eva’s gun at us rather than your own?’ came Callie’s voice quietly. ‘You’ll get your money, then kill us all and arrange it to look like Eva and Jarvis did it and died in the attempt.’