‘No, I got the impression that she’s secretly kept a copy for herself. It’s too important to destroy.’

‘Then why didn’t we press her more?’

‘Because I think she sent it to her mystery contact,’ Ben said. ‘The man we’re about to hear from.’

‘If he calls.’

‘He’ll call.’

Seventeen minutes later, Ben’s phone went. He put the call on speaker so Wolf could listen in, and set the phone on the table between them. The other side of the room one guy in a white apron was cleaning a kebab machine and another was refilling plastic containers with chopped onions and salad. Neither of them appeared remotely interested in their customers’ business.

‘Am I talking to Mr Hope?’ said the male caller’s voice on the line. It was a gentler voice than Roland Seaward’s, edged with trepidation.

‘I’m Ben Hope. Who are you?’

‘Vincent Eritas.’ Which had to be a fake name, Ben thought, wondering what the guy’s connection was to Georgie Seaward. He was certainly as cagey as she’d made him out to be.

The caller went on: ‘I’m told you have an interest in the organisation calling itself the Pandemonium Club. If that’s the case, then I have information. A great deal of information.’

‘I most definitely am interested,’ Ben said. ‘Is this information for sale?’

‘I don’t want money. My mission is spreading the truth.’

That was when Ben got the name. V. Eritas. Veritas. It sounded pretty cranky, but the guy might be a well-informed crank. In Ben’s experience wisdom could sometimes be found in the most unlikely places.

‘Then what do you want in return?’ Ben asked.

‘My source tells me that you have something I’d also be very keen on seeing. If it’s true, then it would be a remarkable discovery. To my certain knowledge nobody has ever captured actual video footage of one of their ceremonies before.’

Ben could hear the growing excitement in the man’s voice. He replied, ‘I’m happy to trade what my associate and I have for what you’re able to tell us about these people. We also have in our possession an encrypted copy of a book manuscript that you might be able to help us access.’

‘That won’t be necessary,’ Eritas said. ‘I know what book manuscript you’re talking about, and I already have it.’ Confirming what Ben had suspected, that Georgie Seaward had covertly sent it to him before her husband and Laverack had erased it from their files. ‘You’re welcome to view it. Makes for interesting reading.’

‘Where can we meet?’ Ben asked. ‘Are you in London?’

‘I wouldn’t go near the place,’ Eritas replied. ‘And I don’t like to travel. I don’t normally receive visitors here on the island either, but in your case I’m willing to make a notable exception.’