Esther Lane stepped out of the taxi and was greeted at the front of the hotel by the very kind, welcoming door man. Esther wasn't over dressed she wore a light blue full length skirt and a white blouse which was perfectly teamed up with the slightly darker blue clutch bag she was holding. As she headed for the bar she scanned to room for a man fitting Roger Scarby's description. There he was larger than life and as cold looking as she imagined. She sat down and the bar and ordered a glass of red wine, unlike Sandra who's favourite tipple when out was a dry white wine Esther preferred a sweeter red. She could hear Scarby talking to one of the hostesses and pricked up her ears.

He told the attractive nurse that he was here on business, but that business was top secret. She wanted to give the girl who was laughing and too impressed by Scarby a piece of her mind but she knew that was out of the question. It was all going so well. The plan was working a treat.

"Do you want to pay for the wine now madam or do you want to set up a tab" the bartender asked her.

"I will set up a tab please" she said that way she would not need to open her bag until Gerry's informant arrived.

"Shit, shit, shit" Sandra cursed as Esther failed to answer her phone for the fourth time.

"Sandra, calm down for all we know the plan could be working" he moved closer to him and offered her a hug.

She pulled away sharply "what if she's not, we knew how dangerous Scarby was and yet we still brought her here, Christ Gerry I hope she is okay" Sandra looked tearful.

"It will be okay, I promise you know what Esther said she came here on her own accord"

"I know but I can't help but worry" she said wondering if it was too late for that hug.

Esther was getting good at this detective stuff but as she was getting carried away she began to worry about the amount of times Scarby's phone rang, not to mention the tone of voice he used every time he answered. If it happened again she would ring Sandra, besides Gerry's informant would be here any minute.

"Okay Dave, cheer's mate, yeah no problem it's nothing we can't handle, I'll be in touch see ya"

"Trouble in paradise Mr Scarby, sir" asked the hostess.

"Nothing I can't handle darlin'"

"Esther did not like this one bit. She twisted the clasp on her bag to unopen it, time to get Sandra involved. As she did a man dressed in a dart suit breezed into the lobby, he looked towards Esther. Gerry's informant she thought. Now it was really time to get Sandra involved.

She turned her head slightly to get a clearer view of what was going on. Scarby rose from his seat, it looked as if he was about to leave. Gerry's informant went over to introduce himself.

"Mr Scarby, I presume what a pleasure it is sir"

"I am flattered er what was your name"

"Vic"

"I am flattered Vic but I am a rather busy man and I am afraid I am in a hurry"

"Just humour me for two minutes, I am a fan of your work" this was music to Scarby's ears and proof that he wasn't a copper as only lowlifes like himself new about Scarby's 'works'. Or so he thought.

Unsure of whether or not the next part Esther had in the plan as going to work she had to think on her feet it could be up to her to stop Scarby leaving the hotel.

Sandra had just about given up on Esther's safety when she received a text.

"Gerry it's Esther, she says your informant's arrived and she's sorry for not answering the calls, we best be quick she thinks Scarby is about to do a runner".

"I'll get onto the Met now, we better flag that guest's taxi" he said noticing a cab waiting outside.

"We just better pray we are in time".