Hi Nigel,

forgot about this client. You will lose your time CEO will not pay. Keep your relationship with your friend, don't blame him he is not guilty. The CEO has a friend who will get the contract. They will not do anything but will get the money.

If you have the chance in the future you can be hired as subcontractor, who will make the project by CEO friend.

This will be neither first nor last case, when this happens to my or my colleague

my 2 eurocents