‘Hello Craig, I’m delighted that you discovered Mr Arrowsmith. Now, just to keep you in the loop, as you had asked. I’ve just got off the phone with DCI Eddie Nowak at Thames Valley, and told him the news embargo is being retained until the Serious Fraud Office has gone in at the water company’s London head office.’

‘That’s fine with me,’ Gillard said. ‘I understand there were local news reporters snooping around at Amersham, but I don’t think anything significant has broken through to the national press. I’ll make sure my team is on-message.’

‘I knew I could rely on you, Craig. We had originally hoped for another couple of weeks, just to see how extensive the fraud is. However, events have overtaken us and we have to act quickly.’

‘I’d guessed that this was what you were working on.’

‘Not surprising, really, given my background. Look, I’m catching the Waterloo train for an emergency meeting at the SFO this evening. I could break the journey at Woking, if you’re able to meet me for an early bite to eat. Say five p.m. at the sushi place by the station? I can finally fill you in on all the details.’

‘Yes, that would be fine. I’d happily eat anywhere except the Anvil Arms at Rissington Common.’

She laughed. ‘Yes, quite the worst food I’ve ever had.’

Slipping into the Mount Browne toilets with a fresh shirt from his locker, Gillard looked himself over. Stubble, as so often, was beginning to show on his chin, and his hair needed a good comb. The prospect of sharing a meal with Stella Anderson was a real opportunity to find out exactly how extensive the fraud was. But it was also making him nervous. Her superiority in rank, and the fact she had a personal score to settle with him, would have him on the defensive – and she’d know it. He texted Sam to say that he would be eating out that evening, just in case she was planning to prepare something. His thumbs hovered over the phone. Should he mention who he’d be dining with? He didn’t think he’d ever mentioned Stella to Sam. Their one-night stand was ancient history. He had always promised to be honest with her, but couldn’t see an upside to this disclosure. It would just lead to more questions.

So he said nothing.

He changed his shirt, had a quick shave with the battery-powered razor retrieved from his desk, and while combing his hair once again lamented its greying. Finally, with his tie looped over his shoulder, he brushed his teeth. He was almost finished when the bathroom door crashed open, and Carl Hoskins wandered in.

‘Thursday night date, sir?’

‘Eh?’ he said, toothbrush still protruding from his mouth.