‘I don’t care! What I’d like to talk about now is the dietary supplements you foisted off on to Bill Shefford.’

‘Dietary supplements?’ The two men exchanged anxious looks, then the doctor asked, ‘What are you talking about?’

‘Do you deny that you recommended him to buy supplements? You were talking about me going on them only this morning.’

‘There are lots of medicinal supplements on the market,’ said Rawley calmly. ‘Just go online and you’ll find any number of them.’

‘And what about supplements that are guaranteed to cure cancer?’

‘All kinds of ridiculous claims are made online. Miracle cancer cures have always been out there for the gullible.’

‘And what about your own miracle cancer cure? Those supplements marketed through “VADJ Trading”?’ To whom, of course, Bill Shefford had been paying thousands of pounds. And whose web address she and Carole had logged on to this afternoon.

‘How do you know about that?’ demanded Jeremiah.

There had been a sudden change in the two men’s demeanour. She had struck a chord. Both looked uneasy, almost paranoid.

‘It’s all,’ said Jude, ‘in Bill Shefford’s diary.’

‘I think,’ said Dr Rawley, rising silkily to his feet, ‘that that’s even more reason why you should hand the diary over to us.’

‘Yes,’ said Jeremiah, also rising. ‘Where is it?’

‘Somewhere safe,’ said Jude.

She was amazed by the speed with which they moved. Suddenly, Jeremiah had grabbed her from behind, his large arms immobilizing hers, and Dr Rawley stood in front of her, with a medical scalpel in his hand.

‘Where is it?’ he hissed.

‘It’s … it’s not here.’

‘Oh, I think it is.’ He raised the scalpel till she felt its touch against the soft flesh beneath her jaw. Not yet a pinprick but capable of being so much more.

‘Hand it over, Jude!’ Jeremiah’s voice was rough now, featuring no finesse, no seduction, just cruelty.

‘It’s not here. Really. I’m telling the truth.’

‘Then where is it?’

‘I gave it to my neighbour for safe-keeping.’

Rawley looked at Jeremiah. ‘Is that likely?’

‘Yes. The pair of them work together all the time.’

‘Shall we go next door and get it?’ asked Jeremiah.

‘No,’ said Jude. ‘Carole won’t let you in.’

‘Then how do we get it? I’m sure you know the answer.’ The scalpel made a tiny jab. Jude felt it pierce her skin.

‘If I ring Carole, she’ll bring it round.’

‘Oh yes? More likely you’ll say something to warn her and she’ll run off with it.’

‘Would you feel happier if I texted her instead?’

‘All right. So long as you let us see what you put in the text.’

At least they had to release her so that she could use her mobile. But Dr Rawley still had his scalpel out. And a tiny droplet of red showed at its end.