‘But The Real Byte article was the perfect opportunity to start a war,’ Priest continued for him. ‘We knew Alexia wouldn’t have much choice but to sue and we were fairly confident that we’d win, up until we found Simeon in the back of that reporter’s car, but even if we lose, we’ve kicked around enough mud; some of it will stick. This is the beginning of the end.’

‘Except that someone murdered her,’ Georgie pointed out. The confusion in her face had evaporated. She had caught on, as Priest had predicted.

‘Indeed,’ said Jack. ‘Hence why I called this meeting. What are our options, Charlie?’

‘Under the Elias Foundation constitution you can appoint an interim CEO from the Board while you sort everything out. I’d suggest you put yourself forward. Will there be enough backing?’

‘Yes. There are enough good eggs at board level. The problem is the paid staff, but once we have control of the charity we can sort them out in no time.’

‘Good.’ He turned to Georgie. ‘It’s starting to get a little tricky to orchestrate this without some help, Someday. That’s why I’ve brought you in to the inner circle. We going to be flouting a few professional rules. Feel free to say no.’

Georgie beamed excitedly. ‘I absolutely will not say no.’

‘I thought as much. You can start by preparing the paperwork for Jack. He has a board resolution to pass, quickly.’

‘That would be most helpful,’ said Jack. ‘What can we do in return?’

Priest produced the photograph of Julian Greenwood and placed it in front of Jack, who leant over and adjusted his glasses to study it.

‘This is Julian Greenwood,’ Priest explained. ‘Standing outside Dominique and Alexia’s former residence in Norfolk. We found this picture taped to the underside of a desk in Simeon’s flat after he died. He had gone to great lengths to hide it.’

‘I see,’ Jack muttered, picking up the photograph and looking at it more carefully. ‘This is Dominique’s boy, isn’t it?’

Priest nodded. ‘Yes, but the picture’s fake. Julian was never there and the photo has had work done to it to make it look old.’

‘Why?’

‘I don’t know but I suspect someone is trying to tell us something. I’m just not sure what.’

‘This is most concerning.’ Jack replaced the photograph on the table, removed his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose. ‘It isn’t widely known that Dominique has a child.’

‘Who is the mother?’ asked Priest.

‘I don’t know. My understanding of the story is that the child is the product of a one-night stand. The mother got in touch after he was born and, surprise, surprise, she was paid off, probably out of the charity’s funds.’