As soon as Anna had left, Langton asked just how dangerous it was to use her. Parks shrugged.
‘I would have thought I had made that perfectly clear. She must not at any cost go somewhere alone with him, but stay out in the open. He will at first only want to pump her for information. I hope you get what you need before he wants to take the interaction a step further. I would also say the backup and surveillance must be exceptionally well-orchestrated. Remember, you have had him in for questioning; he will recognize the officers he has seen here. You don’t want him to distrust her; if he does, he will try another tactic.’
‘Which would be what?’
‘Hard to say.’
Langton was uneasy, but having come this far, he decided they would go ahead. After Parks had left, he contacted the Gold Group commander and asked for a meeting. He would need a new backup team unseen by Daniels and unknown to Anna. He would also ask for an extension on the enquiry as he felt they were getting closer to making an arrest.
Next Langton called in Mike Lewis and handed over the photo frame Anna had brought in. When he had told Parks earlier that there was a possibility their suspect had broken into Anna’s flat, he got yet another warning. Parks believed without doubt that Alan Daniels was targeting Anna; if they could prove he had illegally broken into her flat, they could arrest him and hold him in custody for breaking and entering. The hope was that because nothing had been stolen, the moving of the photograph might be the ‘leakage’ Parks mentioned. It would be something to hold him for, but for how long? Langton was doubtful they would get a result, sure that if Daniels had broken into her flat, he would have worn gloves.
Mike Lewis sent the frame over to the forensic lab. As Anna’s prints were already on record, as were those of all the officers, they could very quickly get a result. Langton would orchestrate lifting Daniels’s prints to make a match.
To give Anna some peace and quiet whilst she made the call, she was given Langton’s office. The phone call would be taped and she had by now learned her script off by heart.
She sat at Langton’s desk, in his chair. He sat opposite, listening with a set of headphones and gave her the signal to make the call. Daniels’s phone rang four times before he picked it up.
‘Yes?’
‘Alan, is this you?’
‘Yes.’
‘It’s Anna.’
‘I know; I’d just about given you up. These tickets are really like gold dust. It’s Darcey Bussell dancing a special gala evening.’
‘I’m sorry, I just couldn’t get a minute alone.’ She lowered her voice. ‘I’m still at the station.’
‘I see. OK, I understand. Well, it’s not Giselle, but Swan Lake.’
‘Oh, that’s fantastic’
‘Yes, she’s brilliant. I don’t know if you read about it, but she hurt her ankle and so it’s been touch and go as to whether she would be dancing.’
‘Gosh! Do you know her?’
‘No, but it’s been in all the papers. We might be able to go backstage and say hello.’
‘Oh, heavens, what should I wear? Is it evening dress?’
‘Yes. Now, shall I pick you up?’
‘Oh yes, thank you. Should I wear a long dress?’
‘Well, they don’t dress up as much as they used to do, but it’s not casual casual. I’ll be wearing an evening suit.’
‘What time should I be ready for?’
‘Quarter to seven. Sounds early but there’s a champagne reception and I’ve booked a table at the Ivy so it’ll be quite a late night. Is that all right?’
‘I’ll have to ask if I can get off early, but I’m sure it’ll be all right.’ She dropped her voice to a whisper. ‘I won’t be able to tell anyone. I don’t think they would approve.’
There was a pause; he laughed softly.
‘I understand — so what’s your address?’
She gave it to him; he confirmed he would be there at a quarter to seven. ‘I’m looking forward to seeing you again, Anna.’
‘Thank you. Thank you for asking me.’
He cut off the call. Langton removed his headphones as Anna took a deep breath and replaced the receiver.
‘Well done,’ he said softly.
She showed him her shaking hands and grinned.
‘Do you have a decent frock to wear?’ he asked meaningfully.
She laughed. ‘Frock? What’s that?’
‘I’m just saying, there’s no need for you to overspend your budget. We might be able to hire one for you from somewhere.’
‘Of course I have a dress,’ she protested. ‘It’s not like I never go anywhere.’
‘The right dress? For a formal occasion?’
‘I don’t believe this! Yes, I have clothes for every occasion, sir!’
‘Don’t joke about this, Travis, and don’t think for a second that I like it. Now, be ready on time tomorrow. Don’t let him into the flat. You will have backup in the theatre and in the restaurant. Scotland Yard are organizing a team. You will be protected.’
‘I only hope they’ll be able to get tickets. I’ve heard they’re like gold dust!’ she joked.
‘Get out,’ he said gruffly.
When Anna returned to the incident room, there were quiet appraisals of her. Moira looked at her and gave her a wink.
‘I’ve got a great sequinned job if you need it.’
Anna grinned. ‘I doubt it’ll fit, Moira. I’m not that well-endowed.’
The fact that she was able to joke eased the tension in the room. They started to discuss Michael Parks and how much he had impressed them. Anna was grateful to have his script. She just hoped she would be able to put it into practice. She had never been undercover before, just as she had never been to anything as glamorous as a gala night at the Royal Opera House. Nor had she ever dined at the Ivy. She doubted that she would have to put on much of an act at being overawed. Whatever happened, this was going to be a night she would remember.
By Wednesday morning, the lab had made contact. They had matched Anna’s prints easily. They verified that there were three other prints. One was too smudged to ascertain any identification but they were more hopeful of obtaining the other two. It would take more time, since the two prints were lying on top of each other.
There was a new technology for lifting one print away from another, separating them into two clear prints. The method was a major breakthrough in digital enhancement of crossover prints but at first it had been deemed unacceptable in a court of law. Recently, this had changed as the benefits of the technique had proven significant. Unfortunately, the closest scientist qualified to use it was in Nottingham. She had travelled down on the early morning train.