Now that I think I understand his motivation, I am calmer. Everything is business. ‘I don’t suppose you have documentary proof of any of this?’

‘Are you doubting that my word is my bond?’ There’s a twinkle in those dark eyes. ‘I am sure a clever boy like you will be able to secure the proof you need. Now, if you will forgive me, that’s our business done, except to remind you that this conversation never happened, we’ve never met and we never will.’

If I can corroborate what he’s said, it’s more than enough to burn down Breitner’s entire empire. Not just make him bankrupt, but have him handcuffed and marched from his lavishly furnished townhouse to a spartan cell.

As I step outside and look both ways down the empty street, I’m on edge. If Clare’s death was not an accident, because she knew too much, that has implications for my safety. If Rep told Clare what he’s told me, she was a double threat to Breitner. She was in a position to trigger an audit of his pension scheme and expose the black hole. And she could urge ministers to block his takeover of Capital. My big sister, and she alone, had the power to decide whether Breitner, Streatham, Muller, Media Corp and Schon would be cast into oblivion.

That must have been why she paged me, the day she died. She knew I could help. I ball my fists. Why didn’t you call me sooner? I could have told you how dangerous these people are. I could have helped!

The lights of Commercial Street seem far away. I check over my shoulder again and take out the phone. I’m not going to make Clare’s mistake. I am going to share all I know now.

It’s well after midnight, but Jess answers at once. ‘Gil?’ She sounds wide awake. ‘I was just about to ring you.’

‘I’ve got the story,’ I start to say, but she’s already talking over me.

‘I’ve found out something you need to hear.’

I pause. ‘You go first.’

‘You remember Dolly? Deyna’s neighbour, in Wood Green?’

‘Yes.’

There’s a cab coming with its light on. I flag it down, relieved to be getting out of here.

‘The Passat that came in the dead of night with the three execs who went through Deyna’s house? She gave me the registration. I ran it by my snout at the DVLA and he’s just come back with the details.’ Her voice is taut. She sounds almost as anxious as me. ‘You’ll never guess who it’s registered to.’

I get in the back seat of the cab and slam the door.

‘Actually, I think I can.’

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Thursday, 24 April – One week until Election Day