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

THIS IS THE ULTIMATE DENIABLE story. I have all the answers, but no documents or on-the-record testimony that would allow me to write it. And time is running out. Once Breitner completes the Capital takeover, it will be as though the pensions black hole never existed. I doubt any prime minister will feel inclined to launch a retrospective investigation into the most powerful media magnate in the country. I have to get enough evidence to publish it before the deal goes through. Even if Lorimer won’t run it, I can place the story elsewhere. If no newspaper has the balls, there’s always Private Eye. And if I get fired in the process, so what? There are other employers and other jobs. If I had dependents, I suppose I would be a bit more circumspect. But it’s just me and Cat with No Name.