He would only just make it in time. But his thoughts, instead of being on the coming meeting, kept returning to his unexpected encounter with Chloe, and her reaction. He no longer had any doubts. Her attraction to him was as strong as his was to her. Clearly she was clearly suffering because of it. Her loyalty to her husband was all the more remarkable for being utterly genuine. Yet he sensed something not right. Natalia drifted briefly across his mind, confusing him. Then, clear and startling as a lightning flash, he recognized the similarity: both Natalia and Chloe were sexual innocents. But Chloe Radclyff was a married woman. The implications stunned him. But there was no time to explore further. He had reached Harold Vane’s offices in Church Street. Halfway up the staircase, hearing the murmur of voices, he deliberately stopped and took a slow, deep breath. Then, mentally checking his ammunition in preparation for the battle ahead, he opened the panelled door to the boardroom. ‘Ah, Mr Santana has deigned to grace us with his presence at last.’ Harold Vane’s soft wet mouth puckered like a sea anemone.
