‘Really, this has nothing to do with Rory, Inspector.’

‘As I said, we’ll talk tomorrow. Goodbye, David.’

Jazz turned to face Issy, who was lurking in the corridor outside the cell. Issy gave a slight nod and a thumbs-up signal, then followed Jazz up the stairs.

‘There you have it. As we thought, he’s protecting his son,’ she murmured in a low voice. ‘Can’t wait to meet young Rory. I’ve a strong feeling in my waters he might be able to shed some light on the whole affair. Especially when I tell him Daddy’s been released without charge. Jazz?’

‘Sorry, Issy, I was somewhere else for a moment. Tell Miles I’m at the Coach and Horses in Cley if he needs me. The signal on the coast can be dodgy.’

‘I will.’ Issy’s eyes twinkled. ‘And have a good time.’

Chapter Nineteen

‘Is it all right if I disappear, Mr Forbes? It’s past six and Steve’s waiting for me outside the Forum. You’ll need to answer the intercom when it buzzes to let your last client in.’

Julian looked up at Stacey. ‘Of course, no problem. I’ll see you tomorrow.’

‘Night, Mr Forbes. Have a good evening.’

‘Thanks, and you.’ Stacey left his office but Julian’s attention was already back on the file he was reading.

Twenty minutes later, he checked his watch and called Angelina.

‘Hello, darling.’

‘Hello.’

‘How’s Rory?’

‘Tucked up on the sofa watching The Simpsons. He seems okay. A little quiet, but that’s understandable. We have a counsellor from London coming to see him tomorrow morning. Do you think that’s a good idea?’

‘Being in the business has made me rather cynical about these kind of people. But I’m sure it can’t do him any harm.’

‘No.’

‘Shall I come back tonight? I could arrive much later, when Rory is in bed,’ he suggested tentatively. ‘I’d like to try and make up for my callous behaviour this morning.’

There was a pause and in that pause, Julian had his answer. ‘Okay, I’ll go to the flat.’

‘I’m sorry, darling, I just want Rory to recover from the shock of everything before he accidentally discovers a strange man in his mother’s bed.’

There was a pause before Julian asked, ‘When are you sending him back to school?’

‘After all I’ve heard about that awful Charlie Cavendish and what he did to Rory, I can’t bring myself to send him back. At present, I don’t want to let him out of my sight.’

‘Charlie can hardly be a problem to Rory now, can he?’

‘No, I know, Julian, but . . . look.’ Angelina sighed. ‘We’ll talk about it when I see you, but Rory won’t be going anywhere this week.’

‘I presume that means I’m gated in my flat for the present?’

‘I’m sorry. I thought you understood I just have to put Rory first at the moment.’

‘I understand, but that doesn’t mean to say I have to like it, Angelina. So, I’m not going to see you for the next few days? I miss you.’