Below that was another picture embedded into the article, featuring a group of masked men in black robes with AK-47s and lump hammers, busily smashing up what looked like a collection of ancient statues not too unlike the ones Ben had seen in Romy’s video. The rest of the article was full of information about the involvement of terror groups like ISIL in the illegal trade of old Near East and Middle East treasures. It was too much for him to take in at a glance, but there was no question that the author had delved deep into that world. Ben was certain she could potentially offer valuable insights into whatever dirty kind of business Julien Segal and Nazim al-Kassar were mixed up in together.

‘What happened to her?’ asked Françoise Schell. Ben could picture her at her end, tapping computer keys to look up Romy now that she knew her name. Before he could reply, she said, ‘I found it. Looking at it now. Found dead at her home in Paris. Suspect has been identified. Police are launching a manhunt. Oh, right, she worked for ICS? Hmm. Interesting.’

ICS. Institut Culturel Segal. Ben said, ‘But the police are after the wrong person.’

‘You’re not going to tell me you did it, I hope.’

‘No, but I know who did.’

‘Why are you telling me this, and not the cops?’

‘Why did you wait two days before you replied to her message?’

‘I get a lot of crank calls. Ninety-plus per cent of them lead precisely nowhere. I was in two minds whether to even call back. Answer the question.’

Ben replied, ‘There’s no point telling the police. In fact it’s doing them a favour not to tell them. If they went after the real killer, he’d slaughter anyone they sent and then just disappear for ever. They’re out of their depth dealing with someone like him.’

‘I see. And you would know all this how, exactly?’

‘Because I’m privy to certain insider information that’s very hard to come by. I might be prepared to tell you about it.’

Françoise Schell paused, and he could sense the wheels turning in her mind. She said, ‘I feel my journalistic antennae twitching. Are you trying to dangle me a story here?’

‘I’m looking at your article about the antiquities trade. Are you still interested in that kind of material?’

‘I’m a reporter. I have an endless appetite for all that’s dark and ugly. So do my readers. Let’s say it’s an ongoing research project.’

‘Good. I have reason to believe there’s a connection with what happened to Romy, and I think that once I show you what I’ve got, you’ll agree. I’d also like to know more about why she thought you could help her.’