Will couldn’t argue with that. He folded his arms round Kim’s rigid body instead. “I know. But there’s a chance he didn’t, so let’s not give up on that.”

“I can’t live on hope,” Kim said. “And if I could, the supply is finite and dwindling rapidly. What if Phoebe had the right idea and Chingford was involved in Zodiac?”

That was about the only way this could get worse and Will didn’t want to think about it. “Stop what-iffing. Get some breakfast.”

He tugged Kim through. Peacock had the table laid and was hovering apologetically. “I do beg your pardon, Lord Arthur. Lord Flitby insisted—”

“He’s bullied more powerful men than you,” Kim said. “But there’s a chain on the door, so for God’s sake use it next time: you have my permission to slam it in his face. Did you have any joy with Quiller?”

“Not as such,” Peacock said. “He said that Mr. Fairfax occasionally advised Club members on shares, in an informal way, and thought that he might have spoken to Lord Waring and Mr. Cheveley among many others, but was not aware of any particular relationships of any of those gentlemen. He was much more interested in using our meeting as an opportunity to ask about your lordship.”

“Was he, indeed? In what way?”

“He was keen to asked about your recent activities, whether you doubted Lord Chingford’s guilt, and what you and Mr. Darling had intended to do before the Incident with Sir Alan Cheveley.” The capital letter was audible, as was the disapproval. “He claimed he knew nothing of his lordship’s activities on the fatal night or earlier, and made a point of saying that he was with the Secretary for a good half hour before the body was discovered.”

“He’s seventy,” Kim said. “Does he need an alibi?”

“I would not have thought so, Lord Arthur, but he seemed very keen to provide one, all the same.”

“Hmph. What was your feeling on him? Frankly.”

“Well, Lord Arthur, if you will excuse the plain speaking, I thought him a tight-lipped, prissy little twerp with something weighing on his mind.”

Kim nodded. “Noted. Thank you very much.”

Peacock bowed and withdrew. Will said, “All right, how do I get a henchman? I want one.”

That won a smile, at last. “You can’t have mine.”

“Can I help?”

“At the moment, I don’t know. I’ll go through Fairfax’s papers in search of clues to any enemies, or Leo’s identity.” He sighed. “And I’m going to have to call Harry and grovel.”

“It was my fault. Do you want me to apologise?”

“Stay well away from the entire place, please. I don’t think you and the Symposium mix. I will telephone if I need you.”