Langton didn’t feel like her father, anything but. She had knocked him sideways, she looked so lovely. His mobile phone rang at that moment. He patted his pocket and pulled it out. When he walked into the bedroom to relay the news, Anna was sitting at the dressing-table.
‘He’s just left Queen’s Gate. He’s in a chauffeur-driven black Mercedes-Benz with blacked-out windows. It’s a hire car from a Knightsbridge company.’
‘We didn’t expect that,’ she said.
‘It means he could grope you in the back seat.’
‘Oh, please,’ she said.
‘I’ll go and turn off the lights in the kitchen and drawing room. By the way, did you realize the garage doors were open? Are they usually left open?’
‘Sometimes, if one of the residents forgets their keys, but usually it’s locked at night.’
Langton sat in the darkened drawing room, while Anna stayed in the bedroom. She heard his mobile ring, then Langton was standing at the bedroom door.
‘The car’s pulling up outside.’
She threw her cashmere wrap around her shoulders and picked up her evening bag. Langton was still on the phone. ‘He’s sent the chauffeur in to fetch you.’
When the doorbell rang, Anna opened the door. The driver made a very courteous bow and informed her that Mr Daniels was waiting in the car. As she followed him, Langton watched from the kitchen window at the front of the building. It was still daylight.
He saw Daniels step out from the rear of the Mercedes. The chauffeur held the door open for Anna; Daniels got in beside her. His mobile rang again.
‘They’re on their way,’ said the voice of a surveillance officer from the car tailing the Mercedes. ‘Yes, I know.’
He sat in her drawing room facing the back-yard and switched on the television. It was going to be a long wait.
Inside the Mercedes, Daniels’s head rested against the window.
‘You look charming,’ he said softly.
‘Thank you,’ Anna responded. ‘It took me a while to decide what to wear. I’m not used to such glamorous events.’
He gave no reaction and remembering Michael Parks’s advice, she flattered him. ‘That is a very elegant suit! Where did you get it?’
He had on an immaculate velvet jacket, trimmed with satin, and a white silk polo-necked shirt. The matching trousers were pressed like a knife, with an inch-wide satin border down the outside.
‘It was made by Valentino. I wore it in a film and so I got it at a quarter of the price I would have had to pay if I’d bought it in a shop.’
‘It really suits you! And that shirt is gorgeous.’
‘Thank you. Valentino insisted I have the roll neck, not a black bow tie. It’s the purest silk. But look at these.’ He held out his cuffs. ‘Bit ostentatious, aren’t they?’ For the first time she noticed the emerald cufflinks.
‘But — they’re real emeralds!’
‘They were from a necklace worn by Empress Josephine. And those are rose diamonds around them.’
‘Good heavens.’
‘So, did you have any trouble leaving work early?’
‘No. I said it was a family matter.’
‘You told a fib, then, did you?’
She laughed. ‘It’s just that I didn’t think they would approve of me seeing you socially.’
‘But surely, I am not still suspected of having anything to do with the — what was her name?’
‘Melissa Stephens?’
‘Ah yes, the Melissa Stephens murder.’ He scrutinized her. ‘Am I?’
‘A suspect?’
‘Yes.’
She smiled. ‘I doubt it, but at the same time, the fact you’ve been questioned means it’s not entirely appropriate for us to be seen together.’
‘Then I’m surprised you agreed to accompany me.’
She turned away, feigning embarrassment.
‘Why did you?’ He moved closer.
‘I am a big fan of the ballet, Mr Daniels. I couldn’t say no. I have been looking forward to this evening so much.’
‘It’s Alan, for God’s sake,’ he teased. He took out his phone. ‘Excuse me. It’s on silent. If you have your mobile with you, remember to turn it off during the performance.’
‘It wouldn’t fit in my bag.’ She held up her mother’s small evening bag, but he was listening on his mobile. She was relieved that Langton had turned down her request for a hidden camera. Daniels would have sussed it out very fast.
He sighed irritatedly into the phone. ‘Look, this is all getting out of hand. What I said was I didn’t feel like taking an entire day to have a costume-fitting in Paris; it doesn’t matter whether it’s Eurostar or a private plane.’ He covered the phone and whispered to Anna, ‘Sorry about this. I wouldn’t mind, but it’s just a test. I suggested that they bring the wig to London. I could have a fitting here and that would mean I have only one trip to Paris instead of two.’
He returned to the call. ‘Yes, I am interested in working with him and yes, tell him I like the script.’ He leaned back in irritation. ‘Just talk to them again and get back to me. It really isn’t convenient right now; I’m on my way to the ballet.’
He replaced the phone in his pocket. ‘That was my agent. Ye gods! It’s such a simple thing. Why they can’t send the wig and hair and make-up over here is beyond me.’
The driver turned around. ‘Excuse me, sir. There seems to be a back-up of vehicles for the Opera House. Should I join the queue, or do you want me to drop you off?’
‘Drop me off?’ Daniels repeated. ‘I don’t think so! We’ll wait in line. This is a very special evening for Miss Travis and myself. Besides, we have time.’
The line of cars crawled towards the Opera House. Crowds of people were standing on the pavement and a red carpet ran downwards from the entrance. Anna turned to him.
‘I don’t mind walking.’
‘I do!’ Daniels retorted huffily.