He looked at me, looked away, and threw his baseball bat aside with a scream. ‘Fuck!’

‘How’s your father’s business doing? A building firm, isn’t it?’

It took him a moment to recover.

‘My father died ten years ago. The company was sold at the time of his death. Why do you ask?’

Wren said, ‘Who was Anya Bauer?’

The name seemed to mean nothing to him. He shook his head. ‘I don’t know what’s going on,’ he said. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about. You’re supposed to be—’

‘What happened at that school?’ I said.

‘How long are you going to keep asking that question?’

‘Until I get the truth.’

‘What happened? Nothing. High jinks. Nothing more. I can’t deny that we did things. Irresponsible things.’

‘Like what?’ Wren said.

‘God, I don’t know! Smashed some glass. Made some noise. Bought some charlie.’

‘That’s it?’ Wren said. ‘Petty vandalism and recreational drugs? Come on.’

Khan shot her a wary look. ‘But none of it was at our instigation. And all of it was done in a spirit of experimentation and adventure.’ He seemed to stop himself, then clenched his teeth. ‘We fell under his spell, you see.’

‘You mean Peregrine Waugh? He was your House Master twenty years ago, wasn’t he?’

Khan shook his head. ‘I mean the Master’s favourite.’ He laughed. ‘I mean Peregrine’s representative on earth.’

And I suddenly saw who had the most to lose.

‘You’re talking about Ben King, aren’t you? Was he the Master’s favourite?’

He couldn’t look at me. ‘I didn’t say that,’ he said. ‘I didn’t give you any names.’ He gripped a fistful of his hair. ‘You’re meant to be here to help me!’

‘Would you like to make a statement?’ I said.

Khan’s mouth twisted into a grotesque parody of coquettishness. ‘Would you like me to, detective?’

‘I think you’re ready to talk to us, Mr Khan,’ I said. ‘I think you know that it’s really the only option you have left.’ I looked around at all the useless luxury. ‘This is no life, is it?’

He sucked hungrily on his cigarette.

‘I need to talk to a few people. I need to talk to my wife, my beautiful—’ He choked up. Hung his head. Then gathered himself. ‘And my lawyer. And my children, God help me. After that, I’ll come to your station.’ He was starting to compose himself now. ‘I believe there’s a possibility that I can help you with your enquiries.’

‘And when will that be?’ Wren asked.

‘When I am fucking ready, young lady.’