‘I’d like to discuss our reason for being here in private, so would you mind shutting the door?’ Spencer asked.

Myers closed the door and gestured for them both to sit on an expensive-looking, thickly cushioned sofa in front of his desk.

As with the outside corridor, his office was lined wall to wall with photographs of clients, or posters of the films they’d been in.

At first sight, Jane found Myers a difficult man to read. He was very slight, about five foot nine, wearing exceedingly tight fawn trousers and brown leather boots with Cuban heels. He had a pale blue corduroy shirt tucked in tightly at his waist.

You couldn’t really describe him as handsome or good-looking, she thought, but he had very neat features with expressive eyes.

‘This all looks very serious,’ Myers said with a smile.

Spencer took the lead. ‘I’m afraid it is, sir. We are here on a very unfortunate matter. I understand that you and Charles Foxley are partners. Is that true?’

‘Well, only in a business sense,’ Myers said, flippantly waving his hand.

‘Well, this is a very personal matter.’

Myers leaned back. ‘Oh God, what’s he done now?’

‘It’s not what he’s done, sir, it’s what’s been done to him. His body was found early this morning. I am afraid we will need you to formally identify him as we’ve been unable to contact his wife.’

Myers sat up in his chair. ‘I don’t quite understand . . . Are you telling me he’s dead?’

‘I’m afraid that is why we are here, sir.’

‘Jesus Christ!’ Myers muttered, clutching the arms of his chair. ‘What happened? Was it a heart attack?’

‘No, I’m afraid he was brutally murdered.’

Myers gasped. ‘Where?’

‘He was found in his flat this morning. I’m afraid I can’t go into any more detail, Mr. Myers, but we would appreciate you accompanying us to identify Mr. Foxley, unless you know of any relatives.’

Myers shook his head. ‘Both his parents are deceased, and I have no idea about anyone else.’

Five minutes later Myers had put on a grey cashmere coat and picked up his soft leather satchel. He had been asked not to make the reason for his departure public, so simply waved his hand towards the reception desk. Then he paused.

‘Rita, will you make sure my dogs are collected from the groomers?’ He turned to Spencer. ‘How long is this going to take?’

‘Not long, sir, and we’ll return you to your office when we’ve finished.’

‘So about half an hour? An hour?’

‘I’d say around forty-five minutes.’

As they headed down the stairs, Jane studied Myers. She was finding it difficult to understand his lack of reaction on being told that his business partner had been found dead.