Miller tossed the handbag into her lap, switched on the engine and drove away. ‘I don’t like being used.’

‘Not even in a good cause?’

‘For God’s sake, Harriet, don’t you realize what you’ve done? You’ve finished the Flamingo. An exclusive gaming house lives on its reputation. All it takes is one tiny scandal – just one and the clientele disappear like the snow in the springtime.’

‘Poor Mr Vernon. What rotten luck.’

‘If you imagine for one moment he’s going to take it lying down, you’ve got another thought coming.’

‘We’ll see, shall we?’ She settled back in her seat, arms folded and sighed. ‘Those murals were wonderful – really wonderful. Who knows? Maybe he’ll be willing to sell them now.’

‘You’ll come in for a drink?’ she said when they reached the house.

‘Are you sure it isn’t too late?’

‘Of course not. We’ll have something to eat if you like. I’m starving.’

She unlocked the front door and led the way into the hall and Miller was at once aware of the low persistent hum of a dynamo. ‘Daddy must still be working,’ she said. ‘Come on. I’ll take you through to the workshop. You two can chat while I make some supper.’

When she opened the door at the end of the corridor Miller paused in astonishment. The room had been expertly equipped and fitted, of that there could be no doubt. The walls were lined with shelves which seemed to carry just about every kind of spare imaginable in the electrical field. There was an automatic lathe, a cutter and several other machines whose purpose was a complete mystery to him.

Duncan Craig leaned over a bench, spot-welding a length of steel rod to what looked like the insides of a computer. He glanced up as the door opened, killed the flame on the blow torch and pushed up his goggles.

‘Hello there,’ he said. ‘And what have you two been up to?’

‘Nick took me to the Flamingo,’ Harriet said. ‘Quite an experience, but I’ll tell you all about it later. Keep him occupied while I get the supper.’

The door closed behind her and Craig offered Miller a cigarette. ‘She seems to have enjoyed herself.’

‘How could she fail to? Seeing Max Vernon fall flat on his face must have quite made her day.’

Craig’s expression didn’t alter. ‘Oh, yes, what happened then?’

‘Apparently the casino was using crooked dice. There was quite a fuss when it was discovered.’

‘My God, I bet there was.’ Craig contrived to look shocked. ‘This won’t do Vernon much good, will it?’

‘He might as well close up shop. There’ll be a prosecution of course, but even if it doesn’t get anywhere, the damage is done.’

‘How did he react?’