‘That would be Putin, dollink. Or maybe one of the Rothschilds. But they are already spoken for.’

Cavalier waited. She added, dropping her voice to a near whisper as if there were others within earshot, ‘She is not what she appears to be.’

‘Really?’ Cavalier responded as if mildly interested.

‘She is here on a false passport.’

‘How do you know?’

‘I have heard her on the phone talking to her father. He calls her “Valeria”. I asked her about it. She told me in confidence.’

‘But why a false passport?’

‘She hides her real name, dollink. I think her father is high up in state security. Only a guess, mind you, but some things she has said hint at it. I believe he is a billionaire.’

‘She is here on that sort of business?’

‘It is more than intuition, dollink. But I cannot say for sure.’ She eyed Cavalier and frowned. ‘You must not say a word, dollink.’

‘I promise I won’t say anything,’ he said, leaning across and kissing her again.

‘Tell me this. Is she state security herself ?’

‘I honestly cannot say, dollink. But her manner is disciplined. She is very fit.’

*

‘How did it go with Marilyn Monroe?’ Haut asked when they met for a drink at the Magic club that evening.

‘She’s a lot of fun,’ Cavalier said. ‘Her personality matches her physique.’

‘Will you see her again? Catherine likes you.’

‘The feeling is mutual. I owe her another meeting to exorcise her tick.’

‘What tick?’

‘She says “dollink” in almost every sentence. Nearly as irritating as people inserting “like” into all utterances.’

Florence handed them both a scotch on the rocks.

‘Tell me how you met Natalia,’ Cavalier asked. Haut responded with the tale about the beauty contest.

‘This place is fun but, let’s face it, it’s not London’s most upmarket establishment,’ Cavalier said. ‘I’m surprised such a stunning, highly educated young woman as her would bother coming here.’

‘She doesn’t work here. She was invited to be in the contest.’

‘What’s her background? Where’s she from?’

‘She spoke about her father working in Siberia. But she has spent most of her life in St Petersburg.’

Cavalier nodded.

‘What are you thinking?’

Cavalier leant forward and dropped his voice. ‘So Natalia—a highly educated, well-groomed and intelligent woman with great looks and charm—comes into a less than savoury nightclub populated by Russian mafia …’

‘You don’t know they’re mafia.’

‘I have eyes, Al. They’re probably mafia. The boss is likeable, I grant you. But in essence he’s a small-time criminal who likes a glamorous lifestyle.’

‘I told you. Natalia has nothing to do with the club.’