‘Oh dear, this looks a bit formal,’ Morag said, her initial smile wilting.

‘No, not at all. These kind of inquiries are pieced together gradually, and the co-operation of close colleagues is important for us to find the culprit.’

‘I’m very shocked to hear about this poisoning. I mean who would want to do that to her? Poor Tanvi. I know she suffered so much with hair loss.’

‘We’ll come to that. What I’d like to ask you about initially is the car which I understand you loaned to Mrs Roy’s secretary.’

‘That old Toyota?’ She chuckled. ‘Yes, it is mine, and I did lend it to her last week.’

‘A white Toyota Avensis estate with alloy wheels, just like yours, was parked on the edge of Ashtead Common shortly after seven on the morning that your employer was murdered.’

‘I assume you’ve cross-checked the number plate?’

‘We don’t have the registration number, only a description.’

‘Well it can’t have been mine,’ she said. ‘Firstly, I was asleep at the time. And secondly, I rarely use the vehicle. It’s nearly ten years old, and I should probably get rid of it. I have a company car, a BMW three series, which is parked just out there if you want to take a look.’ The woman looked entirely comfortable.

‘It seems that you lend out the car from time to time—’

‘Detective chief inspector, I loaned the car to Mrs Boswell. But I’m not in the habit of handing it out willy-nilly.’

‘Does anyone apart from you have access to the keys?’

She looked puzzled, as if she hadn’t considered this before. ‘I don’t think so, but I’ll have a think about it.’

Gillard thanked her, and rapidly scribbled up some of his notes.

‘Is that all?’ she said, standing up.

The detective patted the seat that she had just stood up from. ‘Not quite. Congratulations on your appointment, by the way.’

She rolled her eyes. ‘Thank you. It’s come rather late in the day, and may well turn out to be a poisoned chalice.’

‘Because of this £108 million debt?’

‘I really can’t talk about that. I’ve only been on the board, what, two hours and it’s fair to say that I don’t have the trust of the entire family, I never have had. So if I was to start leaking details of confidential board discussions on the very first day I was party to them, that would not be looked upon very favourably.’

‘I can easily get a warrant, if I’m convinced that it has anything to do with Mrs Roy’s murder.’

‘I’m sure you can. But I think in the first instance you should speak to our chairman who, also being the company lawyer, will know the finer points of our rights and responsibilities as directors.’

Gillard nodded. ‘When I spoke to you previously, you said you had no ambitions for wealth or power.’

‘So what is this now, a careers chat?’

‘You may not be surprised to know that certain members of the family think you are connected to the killing of their mother.’