When I met Karl recently at his house, in his kitchen, I saw a photograph on his side table. I took this photograph; I needed to know what it was. I recognised the boy from my own research. It was Dominique Elias’s son. But later I realised that the photo was a fake.

I have no idea what it means, but I am sure it is significant. The photograph is hidden, but Priest will find it, maybe with your help.

I don’t know what will happen now, but if I have been a part of something wrong then I will take whatever punishment awaits me.

So I have left a trail for Charlie Priest to follow, in case anything should happen to me. Find Priest and make sure he follows the trail. My phone is in the usual place. Give it to him.

I know that you disagreed with everything I’ve done but I thought I was doing the right thing, however misguided that seems to you now. I know you owe me nothing, but please, I need your help. I hope you judge me as the man you knew, not the man I have become.

For what it’s worth, I’m sorry.

All my love,

Simeon

Georgie looked up, aghast. ‘We were right. We were meant to find the secret room at Bristol Road and the picture of Julian. Simeon was trying to tell us what he knew.’

‘He planted the clues first. The house was made to look odd. He knew I’d see something strange, like it had been staged. The heating was right up, like he had experienced at Karl’s house. It was just to make us start thinking. The letter was further security. If we hadn’t have worked it all out, Mims would have come up with the phone.’

‘The keys at the estate agents.’

‘Another plant, to help us find the phone.’

Georgie shook her head in disbelief. ‘Why didn’t he just ring you, or find some other way to send you a message?’

‘I think it’s clear from the letter,’ said Priest, exhaling. ‘Mims said the postmark indicates that this was sent from the US over a month ago. Simeon didn’t have anything to tell me, other than he was lying about the bribes, which would have been the end of the case. He didn’t have evidence of any other wrongdoing. Not at that time. All he had were conjectures and suspicions, which he didn’t want to resort to if it meant losing the libel trial.’

‘But he knew there was more to it, something to do with Julian. He just didn’t know what, so he left you all those clues in the hope you’d work it out. And you did.’

‘I had a bit of help.’ Priest winked at her and Georgie blushed. ‘You ready?’ he said, getting up and putting on his jacket.