‘I suppose it makes sense, if you want to overhaul your identity.’

Kelly watched as he brought up Quentin St John’s profile on LinkedIn.

‘He’s not the only one. In fact, many of their alumni went on to successful careers in what you might call convenient industries, helpful to a huge company like Tactika: the media, oil, finance, offshore investments and the like. Call me cynical,’ Rob said.

‘Keep it in the family,’ Kelly said suspiciously. ‘That explains why he contacted the freelancer about the article. So, they like to control what the press say about them. That’s not unusual for the rich and powerful, but why let that particular story run?’ she nodded to the article released yesterday.

‘To cover up something else?’ Rob said.

Kelly nodded. ‘Like sex parties with underage girls?’ she suggested. It made sense. ‘The family gloves are off; let’s find out what else they control. I’m assuming the journalist Kate spoke to, the one who blew the lid on the party, wasn’t part of the privileged elite?’

‘I looked into her. I couldn’t get hold of her by phone, but as far as I can tell she has no connections to the family whatsoever.’

‘And her article was swiftly deleted. Anything like that isn’t going to sit well with either family if they like to control what’s said about them. Keep trying her,’ she asked Rob. ‘By the way, I meant how are you? Not the job, the hours you’re working?’

He looked embarrassed. ‘I’m all right, boss. Nothing to worry about here.’

‘Boss?’ Kate shouted across the room.

Kelly shook off the conversation with Andrew Harris – the fact that he was Kate’s boyfriend was suddenly inconvenient and irritating but she wasn’t about to let it show – and went over to her desk.

‘The boat that was stolen from Pooley Bridge on Sunday night has been found dumped near the northern shore of Ullswater. The owner was called this morning by a local who recognised it. He’s confirmed it’s his. He’s livid as it’s in a bit of a state. We’ve got the CCTV from Sunday night at Pooley Bridge and have a look: it’s a tall Caucasian male, but we can’t see the face. I’d wager a guess, though, wouldn’t you?’ Kate asked.

‘Paul Edderbridge,’ Kelly said.

Chapter 49

Nellie Lowther’s phone had been handed in when she was processed for the pending charges. Kelly doubted she’d get them upheld, but that wasn’t the point.

Now she headed in to see Paul Edderbridge, nodding to Kate that she was ready. Kate passed Kelly a fresh coffee from the machine and they headed back downstairs.