‘Not until Mr Jones told me at the school, no. Patrick didn’t tell me. I felt like a chump, actually, not knowing,’ Miles admitted.

‘No comment.’ Jazz sighed. ‘I won’t even waste my breath. Now, the bottom line is this: Patrick’s hotfooted it back to London at Norton’s request, and Norton has granted us twenty-four hours for further investigation before he cans the case and Millar is our man. So, I want to bring you up to speed fast on what I discovered yesterday. I’m not sure where it gets us. But if we can’t come up with the truth, even if Millar’s statement is full of holes, I reckon, with a good prosecution, he might go down for both murders.’

‘Okay, Ma’am.’ Miles sat down. ‘Fire away.’

Ten minutes later, Miles knew all the facts. He used his fingers to rub his forehead in concentration. ‘So, what you’re saying is that, if Sebastian Frederiks had found out he was the true but illegitimate heir to the Conaught Estate, he might have got rid of Charlie to clear his path?’

‘Yes.’

‘But what about Julian Forbes? Why would Frederiks have wanted to murder him?’

‘They were pupils at St Stephen’s together, weren’t they? I’m wondering whether there’s a tie-in there. Frederiks did say they were friends, and had met up occasionally for a drink.’ She slapped the top of the desk with her palms. ‘We need to go back to the past.’

‘Yes, Ma’am, I think you’re right,’ he agreed. ‘The only common denominator to everything that’s happened is the school. And more specifically, Fleat House.’

‘Exactly,’ Jazz nodded. ‘I want to know more about this story of a boy hanging himself in the cellar; who and when it was, and what actually happened. Rory Millar was locked in there for the night a few weeks ago. It might be coincidence but . . .’

‘We need to find an older member of staff who might know the story.’

‘Precisely,’ Jazz agreed. ‘And the person who will probably know more than anyone is Jenny Colman, the headmaster’s secretary. She’s been there since the year dot. Poor woman. Bless her, she didn’t look too happy when I indicated Frederiks just might be her long-lost son.’

‘No. I can imagine.’

‘I’ve got to wait on Martin Chapman and those DNA samples. If they come back a match, then I’m going to haul Frederiks in for questioning. If not,’ Jazz sighed, ‘I still want to know where he got that ring. Although, I do have a theory, actually . . .’ Jazz’s voice tailed off as she thought about it. ‘Yes, I’ll bet that’s it.’

‘You’ve lost me, Ma’am.’

‘Sorry. I’ll tell you later when I’ve confirmed my theory.’

‘Okay. By the way, my chap’s got in to Julian’s computer. I’m going to have a session with it, see if that sheds any light. Is it all right if I work in here?’

‘Feel free. I’m going to visit Angelina Millar, see how she is and try and find out a little more about her dead boyfriend. Call me if there’s any news.’