I say, ‘It would be impossible to overstate how cloak-and-dagger this is.’

‘Listen, a lot of this stuff I just can’t talk about. I’m bound by all kinds of confidentiality agreements and ethical considerations. But I wanted you to know that I’m on your side and I’ll try to help you. I think Bernard treated you and the others very shabbily. I told him as much, too. Believe it or not, we’ve been trying to make it right.’

‘He didn’t say anything about that when I saw him.’

‘OK, then. I’ve been trying to make it right. I can’t get my head around what happened with Bernard last night. He didn’t have a lot of feeling for his fellow humans, and I had no idea he was feeling so guilty, much less close to suicide.’

I stop chewing.

‘Is that what they told you? Suicide?’

‘Well, he was on the railway tracks – they told us that much. I understand you were in the building at the time. Do you know something I don’t?’

I put my teacup down very carefully. I can’t afford to trust her. Hello-my-name-is-Meera-I’m-going-to-help-you.

‘Meera, you said the litigation with BigSky is ugly. Have you taken steps for your own personal safety?’

Her voice is sharp: ‘What do you mean, my personal safety?’

‘Everyone knows there’s a shady element to BigSky, that’s all.’

‘Do you really buy that sort of talk?’

I shrug, and her lip wobbles.

‘If you know something, Charlie, you had better tell me right now. I’ve got children at home.’

‘I think you should talk to Roman Pelka. I’ll give you his contact information.’

‘I already got a call from him and another from someone called Donato something.’

‘Call them back,’ I say. ‘Ask for their help. Thanks for the food. You’d better go now.’

She nods. ‘OK, I get it. I was only trying to build bridges, but I can take a hint.’

‘I meant what I said about your safety,’ I tell her. ‘I don’t trust anyone right now and nor should you. Why don’t you come back when you’re ready to break your confidentiality agreement and tell me what’s really going on?’

I’m trembling all over when I lock the door behind her, but at least I’ve managed to stay awake throughout the confrontation. I drink the rest of my tea, now cold and a little sour, and fall asleep on the sofa while Edgar picks at the satay prawns left on the coffee table.