Christine rose to her feet. ‘My Lord,’ she said, before an increasingly red-faced Rivelli could make some blustering denial and land himself in contempt, ‘I would like to adjourn to advise my client.’

The judge understood.

The game was up.

They beat a hasty retreat to Ferguson McCreath’s office on High Holborn.

‘What happened, Massimo?’

‘She did it. I can’t believe she did it.’

‘Did what?’

‘She told them.’

‘About your offshore holdings? Hmmm? I’m waiting, Mr Rivelli.’ John Ferguson was as cold as ice. ‘You have forced me into a potentially very awkward position.’

‘You?’ said Rivelli. ‘Why should I think of you? I’m the one who just lost the case.’

‘You don’t seem to understand. Under the proceeds of crime act . . .’

‘Ah, pfff, your legal jargon.’

‘I am obliged to make a full report to HM Revenue and Customs of any suspected tax evasion.’

‘Everyone evades tax.’

‘No, Mr Rivelli,’ said John. ‘Everyone tries to avoid tax; that is perfectly legitimate. That’s what we have accountants for. Evading tax is a different matter entirely. Evading tax is a crime.’

‘And who says I have been doing this? My wife? You believe her, all of a sudden? The judge . . .’

‘Ah, the judge,’ said John, pressing his fingertips together. ‘I would not concern yourself too much with the judge.’

‘Why not?’

‘Because you will never see him again. The case is over, Mr Rivelli. You just lost.’

‘This is an adjournment. Yes?’ Rivelli sought Christine’s eyes.

‘That’s a polite way of getting out of the courtroom before you say something that we will all regret,’ she said. ‘I’m afraid I’ve done all I can.’

‘What? Wait a minute. I am paying you good money for . . .’

‘You have lied to us, Mr Rivelli,’ said Christine. ‘You presented us with a schedule of assets that turns out to have been almost entirely a work of fiction.’

‘No. This is the holdings of Rivelli.’

‘And these other companies? These holiday companies and property developers littered all over the world, in every tinpot little tax haven? When were you planning to tell us about them? Afterwards? Hmmm?’

‘They are nobody’s business but my own.’

‘And your wife’s, it appears,’ said John. ‘I assume that is where the information came from. Did you think she would keep quiet?’

‘She knows nothing.’