‘I would call it a lot more than animosity. We are very fortunate that Laura still remains with us. Any other woman, after being spoken to and threatened the way she was, would’ve joined another agency. We were forced to have a lengthy conversation with Justine, and I believe she did apologize for her behavior. But that was always short-lived as she would then find someone else to accuse of having sexual relationships with Charles.’

Suddenly a cacophony of phone ringing began and the light on Myers’ desk started blinking. Jane and Spencer stood up.

‘Thank you for your time, Mr. Myers,’ Spencer said. ‘I think we’re going to talk to Emma Ransom next.’

‘Ah, Charles’s right hand. Her office is just opposite,’ Myers said, then added, sotto voce, ‘You’ll probably find her reading Vogue.’

Jane tapped on the door, which was slightly ajar, and a voice called out, ‘Yes, come in.’

Emma Ransom was tall and slim, with a pale, not very attractive face almost devoid of make-up but with what Jane could tell was a simple but expensive haircut. Her eyes were very blue, and she looked as if she’d been crying. Her office was very different in style to Myers’, with a large glass-topped chrome table, one fawn leather desk chair and two fawn leather bucket chairs. The walls were lined with scripts, books and numerous posters and photographs. Her desk was free of any clutter, with just a large notepad, a stack of fashion magazines and two phones.

As Spencer introduced himself and Jane, Emma picked up one of the phones and pressed an intercom. ‘Rita, please hold my calls.’

As they sat down in the bucket chairs, Emma swiveled her desk chair around to face them.

‘Could you tell us if on Monday there was anything out of the ordinary about Mr. Foxley’s manner?’ Spencer asked.

‘Monday mornings are always a bit hectic,’ Emma replied. ‘I had two meetings that morning and it would have been about mid-morning when I saw him in the corridor. He was carrying his dachshund and seemed annoyed. Apparently, his dog walker had refused to take her. That was the only conversation I had with him.’

She frowned and Jane wondered if she was going to start crying again.

Jane leaned forward slightly. ‘I’m sure you must find this very difficult and we’ll try and make it as brief as possible. You’ve been described as Mr. Foxley’s right hand?’

‘I wouldn’t exactly call myself that. I began working for him fifteen years ago, for the last five years as an agent in the company. So that means I have my own clients, mostly directors, writers and producers.’

Spencer nodded. ‘What about Mr. Foxley’s clients? How many of them would you say were unsatisfied by Mr. Foxley’s representation?’