‘Come in,’ Hannah said, her face pale but immaculately made up. Her eyes were fixed on DC Ludgrove from the second he walked through the door.

‘I’m sorry for the intrusion,’ Ruby said, her voice echoing in the marble-floored hall. ‘I know you’ve given us a statement, but we’ve got a few more questions that can’t wait I’m afraid.’ Ruby had read the paperwork that was uploaded to HOLMES the day before.

Hannah responded with a delicate smile. ‘As I said on the phone, I’m happy to help in any way I can.’ She was almost heavenly with her white blonde hair and floaty chiffon blouse. Her long tanned legs offset her short black leather skirt, and Ruby wondered if she dressed like that all the time or if she was going somewhere special. She slipped off her heels as she came to what looked like a reception room. ‘Could I trouble you terribly and ask you to remove your shoes? It’s a Jan Kath,’ she said, pointing to a rug through the open door.

Ruby looked at her blankly as she stepped out of her shoes. The brown weave carpet looked as if someone had been let loose with a pink crayon and went a bit mad.

‘I had it imported from New York,’ Hannah said, by means of explanation. ‘It’s insured, of course, but I don’t want it picking up any dirt.’

But Ruby was not impressed by Hannah’s ostentatious decor. She was too busy smirking at Luddy’s Harry Potter socks.

Having finally been allowed into the living room, DC Ludgrove sat on the end of the designer sofa, balancing his folder on his lap. Ruby cleared her throat, trying to catch Luddy’s eye. She had prepped him to lead the interview, but as Hannah eased herself next to him, he seemed to have missed Ruby’s cue. ‘DC Ludgrove, would you like to begin?’ she said, as his eyes wandered, taking in the grandeur of the room.

‘Sorry,’ he said, returning his focus to Hannah. ‘Nice place you’ve got here.’

Ruby stopped short of rolling her eyes. Was he making small talk to develop a rapport and get her to open up a little more?

‘Thank you,’ Hannah said, gracing him with a smile. ‘I’m very fortunate. All earned from the proceeds of my modelling career.’ She gracefully crossed her legs, having seemingly forgotten all about her friend Cheryl as she swallowed DC Ludgrove with her eyes.

Luddy straightened, sliding a pen from his inside jacket pocket and taking his notebook in the palm of his hand. ‘Is there anything more you can tell us that you haven’t mentioned in your statement?’ He gave her an inquiring look. ‘The thing is, we’ve learned that the dating site that Cheryl was mixed up with was by invitation only. Somebody must have passed on those details. We know you mix in similar circles and were wondering if anyone approached you?’

Diplomatic, Ruby thought, when what they really wanted to know was if the invites had anything to do with her.

‘I was hoping to keep my name out of this,’ Hannah said softly. ‘But Cheryl needs me, so I can’t stay silent anymore.’ She toyed with the delicate silver crucifix on a chain around her neck, her eyes smouldering as she parted her lips.

Ruby stood by the wall, blending into the full-length curtains in an attempt to remain as innocuous as she could. A woody smell with a hint of maple hung in the air. Her gaze wandered to the diffusers poking from a scent bottle on a table nearby. Something told her that, unlike hers, they did not originate from Poundland. She watched as Hannah flicked her hair then and continued to toy with the delicate silver chain. The cream chiffon top she was wearing slid from her shoulder, revealing another flash of tanned skin.

It’s like watching a mating ritual, Ruby thought, each of Hannah’s movements choreographed to lure Luddy in.

Releasing the chain, Hannah began to speak. ‘What more can you tell us?’ Luddy said, pen poised on his notebook.

‘I had an invite pressed into my hand at a party a couple of weeks ago. When Cheryl told me about it I tried to act surprised.’ She sighed, recalling the memory. ‘I didn’t want to steal her thunder. She was so excited, and usually lives such a dull life.’

‘I thought the site was strictly for married users,’ Luddy said, his face flushing as Hannah’s leg brushed against his.

‘Sorry,’ Hannah said, uncrossing her legs. ‘I can’t seem to settle today. Now what were you saying?’ She raised a finger as Luddy opened his mouth to reply. ‘Oh yes. I was wearing a wedding ring because I didn’t want to be hit on that night. I’d just been through a messy break-up and, well, you know how these soirées go. I just didn’t have the energy that night.’

Ruby smiled, knowing Luddy’s nights down the local boozer were as far removed from socialite soirées as they could get.

‘And you say someone pressed the invite into your hand?’ Luddy said, moving swiftly on. ‘Can you give me a description? Tell me where it was you met?’

‘I’d love to, darling, but I go to so many,’ Hannah said apologetically. ‘And I’d had quite a few glasses of champagne that night. All I remember is seeing a black card with the word debauchery in red letters. There was a website address, and some numbers underneath.’ Hannah frowned as she raked her memory. ‘What was it he said again? Something about a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I told him that I had just broken up with my partner so I was free to see whoever I wanted. He lost interest after that.’ She tilted her head to one side. ‘Come to think of it, he took back the card. I asked if I could keep it but he said it was very exclusive. I was a bit miffed because I don’t like being kept out of anything.’

‘FOMO,’ Luddy smiled, offering up an explanation in response to her confused expression. ‘Fear of missing out.’

Laughing much louder than necessary, Hannah gave his knee a brief squeeze. ‘Oh, you are adorable, I do like you! Yes, you could call it that. I like to experience everything at its fullest. Don’t you?’ Her words slowed as she drew breath, her eyes on Luddy like a panther circling its prey. ‘Life would be terribly dull if we didn’t try something different every now and again.’

Ruby had heard enough. Sliding her phone from her pocket, she pretended to look surprised. ‘I forgot I put this on silent. I’ve got a call coming in; I’ll meet you outside when you’re done,’ she said, leaving them together.

---

Five minutes later, DC Ludgrove met her out by the front of the car. ‘Finished already?’ Ruby said, lowering the phone from her ear. Hannah waved politely from the front door.

Ruby got into the passenger seat, waiting until they were well out of earshot before she spoke again. ‘Did she try to eat you alive?’ she said, half joking. ‘Did you “take one for the team”?’

Luddy smiled, looking like the cat who got the cream. ‘She was a bit of all right actually, an ex-model too.’

‘OK, Romeo, stick your tongue back in for a second. Did this ex-model give you any info worthy of our visit?’

Luddy checked his mirrors as he negotiated the car out of the driveway and onto the road. ‘Yeah. After you left she remembered details of the party where the guy gave her the invite, so that’s worth checking out.’ He threw her a guilty look. ‘And there’s something else which I’d love to follow up on but can’t.’

‘Oh yeah? And what was that?’ Ruby said, enjoying the banter, despite everything that was going on.

Luddy delivered a smug smile. ‘Her phone number.’