Vaj shook his head in exasperation, then leaned across to her and said, ‘I don’t think this is quite the time or place.’ His eyes slid sideways, indicating Gillard. ‘So perhaps as we still haven’t reached a decision we should adjourn until later.’ They agreed and the attendees began to stand up.

‘Perhaps I could have your attention for a moment,’ the detective said. ‘I know you are all very busy and I realise that the fate of the company must be preoccupying you. However, it is my duty to bring to your attention, as family members, what we have learned about your mother.

‘Toxicology tests on your mother’s body indicate that she was exposed to a very potent poison. The exposure was not prolonged enough to kill her, but we are satisfied it is the cause of her hair and weight loss, and most of her other medical symptoms. For a considerable period we were working on the basis that this occurred by accident.’ Gillard looked around at each of them in turn. ‘What am about to say to you is confidential, and I would ask that you do not share it with anyone outside of this room. We have now found the method through which she was poisoned. It involved someone tampering with one of her toiletries which she kept at the office.’

‘What on earth do you mean?’ Harry said. ‘Do you mean a medicine, or what?’

‘I don’t want to give any more details at this stage, but suffice it to say that we believe someone who had access to her office was trying to kill her. I would now ask that each of you think hard about any occasions in the months leading up to Mrs Roy’s death in which someone may have had access to her desk. Those few of you whose DNA swab I have not yet taken, I would like to do so now, just to eliminate you from inquiries.’

They all nodded, and looked at each other. Then Gillard added: ‘Where is Deepak Tripathi? He is a director isn’t he? So I presume he should be here. I need a swab of his DNA.’

‘He’s in Sri Lanka,’ Harry said. ‘But he was present on Skype for the board meeting earlier.’

Gillard took swabs from Vaj and Gosht in the kitchen. As he was labelling the final tube, he noticed Morag, coat on, getting ready to leave. ‘Can I ask you to remain behind for a few minutes, Ms Fairburn?’ She nodded, and shrugged off the coat. Gillard noticed Prisha Roy watching from the doorway of the kitchen, a mug to her lips, as Morag was detained. He couldn’t see her mouth but her eyes radiated a smug satisfaction.

‘Let’s go to the music room,’ Morag said, leading Gillard into a high-ceilinged reception room which he had not before visited. It was far larger than any room in the detective’s house. It was dominated by a Steinway grand piano and, at the far end, a slightly incongruous inglenook fireplace. Almost life-size portraits of Mrs Roy, Dr Roy and Mrs Roy’s late mother looked down at them from the walls. Morag indicated a large corner sofa, and they both sat. Gillard declined the offer of coffee and cake, and pulled out his notebook.