‘Your words not mine, Don,’ Anna retorted on impulse, then wished she hadn’t.
He ignored her remark. ‘I’m worried that you aren’t fully aware of Gloria’s capabilities. If she is as evil and cunning as-’
Anna exhaled loudly as she interrupted him again: ‘Well there’s no need to be, I’m a big girl and I can take care of myself.’
‘Gloria Lynne has more than thirty years of sociopathic behaviour behind her, not to mention at least five murders, and she’s never been suspected of anything, not even jaywalking,’ Blane pointed out.
‘Well that’s all going to change because, as you would say, I’m about to hit the home run,’ Anna said firmly.
He kept his composure as she defended her ground, not letting him get a word in:
‘And another thing, Gloria even phoned the top brass to try and get me kicked off the investigation. I took some flak from Deputy Commissioner Walters, but I’m still on the case, so Lady bloody Lynne lost that battle as well,’ Anna said angrily. She couldn’t understand how Don could have been so supportive twenty-four hours ago and now he was giving her a lecture on how she should proceed with HER case, as if she didn’t have a clue what she was dealing with.
Blane knew that Anna was overconfident after uncovering so much about Gloria Lynne in such a short space of time, imagining that she had Gloria exactly where she wanted her and was about to break her down. Blane’s view was very different; he knew that Anna was dealing with a woman who was a mistress of deceit; Gloria Lynne possessed an intellectual cunning that was way beyond Anna’s comprehension. Don didn’t want to argue, he just wanted Anna to understand. He realized he would need to be more forceful.
‘For God’s sake, just bear with me and listen to what I have to say, and when I’ve finished, if you doubt or disagree with anything I’ve said, then fine. I understand and respect that it’s your investigation and not mine.’
Anna took a deep breath, no longer in the mood to continue their conversation. ‘I’ve got to go, Don, and maybe it’s best we leave this discussion until later anyway.’
Blane was determined to get his point across. ‘Fine, that’s up to you, but I’m not the enemy here. Sociopaths like Gloria Lynne make up only five per cent of the population; the problem is they have perfected the art of manipulating the other ninety-five per cent and that includes the likes of you and me.’
‘Very informative, Don, but-’
‘Please have the decency to let me finish,’ Don said in a slightly raised voice. ‘I doubt Gloria was trying to get you kicked off the case – she wants to know what’s going on, she needs to be the one who’s in control and by controlling Walters she will ultimately control you.’ Anna said nothing, reluctantly recognizing that it was in her best interest to listen.
‘Walters is someone to be used for Gloria’s own purpose; she will fake sincerity and friendship with him simply to find out what you’re up to. Walters is nothing more than a disposable commodity who no doubt has already been invited to her next big Charity Ball.’ Blane paused to let Anna take in what he was telling her.
‘I’m listening,’ she said quietly.
‘Did you know that many sociopaths give huge sums of money to charity simply to enrich their power and reputations and to fool us into thinking they actually care?’ Don said in a calmer tone of voice.
Anna realized that Blane was being honest and frank with her: there was no malice, he was just trying to be helpful.
She apologized for being edgy and blamed it on being woken up and the jet lag.
‘Listen, I’m sorry too. I know I’m being aggressive about all this, but I just want to protect you. That’s why I called, I was worried about you.’
‘I know…’ Anna said, ‘and honestly, I’ve taken on board everything you’ve said.’
Blane promised that he would e-mail her some of the articles he had found about sociopaths and said that there was one last suggestion he’d like to make where Gloria was concerned.
‘I’m all ears,’ Anna said.
‘It’s regarding Jessie Dewar,’ Blane said hesitantly.
‘What about her?’ Anna asked.
‘Look, she’s the one studying for a PhD in Forensic Psychology, so sociopaths, control freaks and similar types are her bread and butter.’
‘No way, Don, I can’t let her near Gloria, not after what happened last time.’
‘I appreciate that, but she understands those kinds of people, what they’re really saying and the way into them. Sometimes you need to utilize the skills of others to succeed, even if you’re not very fond of them.’
‘All right, point made. I’ll sit down with Dewar and prepare an interview strategy. I can also let her watch from the video viewing room so she can take notes and advise me when we take breaks,’ Anna said, hoping she wouldn’t regret it.
‘Thanks, Anna, I know she can be a pain at times and you almost need to treat her a little like a sociopath herself.’
‘What, use her and abuse her?’ Anna asked humorously.
‘No, tell her what she likes to hear, how wonderful she is, praise her and-’
‘Quit while you’re ahead, Don, I’ve already eaten enough humble pie for one day.’
‘Well, good luck with it all. And please, like I said, be very wary of Gloria. She will already have many of the answers memorized in her head. Even if you think you’ve cornered her, she’s cunning and she’ll find a way out, and don’t be fooled by any crocodile tears.’
‘Thanks, Don. I’m sorry I snapped at you. I know you are only trying to help,’ Anna sighed.
‘Well that’s what happens when you mix work with pleasure.’
Anna was unsure how to respond to him, knowing that in the past that very mix had been disastrous where Langton was concerned and she had ever since avoided making that mistake again, but she had believed that with Blane it might be different. There was an uneasy pause, before eventually he asked Anna to let him know how it all went, reminding her that even if Aisa remained silent, or refused to implicate her mother, that Marisha could also answer many of Anna’s questions and hopefully bring Gloria Lynne down. Anna told him that Marisha was still in a coma and hospital tests had found atropine in her system, which had apparently brought on the heart attack.
‘This may sound a bit OTT but if I were you I’d consider putting a police guard on Marisha,’ Blane said.
‘What, you think Gloria would go as far as to walk into the hospital and finish her off?’
‘I wouldn’t put anything past Lady Lynne. She may not do it herself but she sure as hell can afford someone who would,’ he said seriously.
Anna swallowed. ‘You’re right, I’ll organize for a uniform PC to sit with Marisha.’ There was another awkward pause as both waited for the other to say something. Finally, Anna said she had to go, and he repeated that he was always available if she needed to talk.
‘Thank you, and give my regards to Beth,’ she said sarcastically. He gave a soft laugh.
‘Very funny. Call me and let me know what happens. Okay?’
‘Okay,’ Anna said, but in truth, she was unsure if she really would call back, at least not for a while.
Anna managed to get a few more hours’ sleep before she woke and got ready for the day ahead. She imagined life with Don Blane in Virginia, blissfully happy and fending for themselves in the log cabin, just the two of them with no pressure. However, she knew deep down she was not ready to make a serious commitment, especially to someone who lived thousands of miles away. It had been a lovely dream, one that she had briefly felt possible, but in truth she wasn’t convinced Blane was ready to make a commitment either.
Dressed now, in black tights, crisp white shirt, black fitted pencil skirt and a single-breasted jacket, Anna’s personalized uniform was in place. She used little makeup, and just applied some lip gloss. Lastly she coiled her thick red hair into a pleat, and stood staring at her reflection in her dressing-table mirror. She had no family alive, no ties, nothing that was really holding her back. This could be the most challenging day in her professional life, might even be a big career move, and she would take on board all of Don’s advice. She was more determined than ever to bring Gloria Lynne down, and prove she was right. She wouldn’t mind giving Beth Jackson a kick up the arse! she thought, and then laughed at her crassness, telling herself it was better to have Don as her friend and mentor than as a lover. But there was plenty of time, and who knew what would happen? Life had a way of surprising you. She slipped on her black high-heeled shoes, and she was ready.