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‘I assumed as much,’ Mary said. She had a good idea where this was going. ‘Please, continue.’

‘I did mention it briefly,’ Ben said. ‘I’m friends with his son, we’re the same age, we have a very strong relationship, so it makes sense for me to be more closely involved.’ He paused. ‘But with recent events I’ve been wondering whether – I’ll just say it – I should take over entirely.’

‘What recent events?’

‘Well,’ he said. ‘You have seemed a little distracted. I know that could be for any number of reasons, and I was planning on talking to you about it some more. Maybe find out exactly what’s going on, if there is anything going on. But now, after the photo—’

He left the words hanging between them.

‘The photo was not real,’ Mary said. ‘It was AI-generated. I had nothing to do with it.’

‘You know that,’ Ben said. ‘And I know that. But most people don’t. Most people think it’s a photo of you, and I suspect they are wondering whether there are others. I’m so sorry, Mary, but you know how it is. Perception is reality.’

‘No, it isn’t,’ Mary said. ‘Reality is reality and I plan to tell people it’s not me. Then this will be a non-issue.’

‘That’s what I’m saying,’ Ben said. ‘I don’t think it will be a non-issue. That’s what happens with this kind of thing: people see something, they jump to a conclusion, and then that’s as far as they take it. They just believe what they saw the first time, and I don’t think – if I’m being frank – that it’s good for our firm. However, I’ll let the other partners deal with that particular question—’

‘I’m sorry,’ Mary said. ‘But are you suggesting that the partners at the firm are going to need to do something about this?’

‘That’s a matter for them,’ Ben said.

‘I can assure you they won’t.’

‘As I said, I’ll let others deal with that. What I do know is that Mack doesn’t think it’s good for him to be represented by someone who—’

‘You mean you’ve told him that it’s not good for him,’ Mary said. ‘I doubt, if you had said nothing, that Mack would have given this a second thought. This is no more than an excuse for you to grab a part of my practice.’

‘That’s not true,’ Ben began. ‘I am always thinking first of my clients’ needs.’

‘Your client? You mean Mack?’

‘All my clients. They come first.’

‘Of course they do. I must say, this is convenient timing, isn’t it, Ben? The photo arrives just when you need it. You didn’t have anything to do with it, did you, Ben?’

He laughed. ‘You’ll have to come up with something better than that. Is that your plan? To tell Mack that I did this to discredit you?’

‘Makes some sense, doesn’t it? Especially for a vulgar, ambitious little shit like you.’

‘I was hoping this would be a productive conversation about how best to handle the transition of Mack’s account. But it seems that instead you want to turn it into a personal attack. You might want to consider whether this kind of behaviour is what caused this in the first place.’

‘You might want to consider what will happen when it emerges that you posted that photo.’ She was now sure that it was him. Never mind Dylan; Ben Cox’s motive was much more powerful: his limitless ambition. And the proof was this phone call.

He knew she would be feeling vulnerable, and he had timed his call to take advantage of it. Well, it wouldn’t work.

‘It was you, Ben, wasn’t it?’

‘Don’t be ridiculous.’

‘All of it. It was all you.’

He paused. ‘All of what? There are other photos?’

‘Don’t play dumb.’

‘Mary, I have no idea what you are talking about, but it seems you’re accusing me of posting those photos.’

‘I am.’