WHITE WINE AND RED HEAT

Cassie refilled our glasses as we all sat deep in thought.

'Surely the police will be able to find all of this out for themselves ...' mused Millie.

'Never', replied Helen, 'as Cassie said this stuff is totally confidential. No designer would compromise a client, especially a rich or famous one, and as Cassie is stringing this out so well I am assuming that this person is one or the other, or both ...'

Cassie raised an eyebrow, smiled, but said nothing.

'No, you've got to remember that this is the fashion industry and like any other international, billion dollar business there isn't such a thing as morals or ethics, just money. It's a good job Cass got in there so quickly, I'm sure that all remaining evidence will be well gone by now.' Helen continued.

'Just like Hollywood Madams', I chipped in, 'Heidi Fleiss fo example, nothing to gain by giving up her famous client list. You get far more power and money by keeping your mouth shut about these things.'

'So' interuppted Cassie 'A ruby brooch with the initials RH ... any ideas anyone?'

'A name, a person?' Said Millie.

We chucked around a few names of people with these initials but didn't come up with anyone of interest.

Deciding we'd waited long enough Cassie fished in her bag again before bringing out another piece of very expensive looking paper. She unfolded it and held it up for us all to see.

In the top right hand corner was the exact same initials printed in red ... 'RED HEAT PUBLISHING' in an elegant typeface was written below.

'Trudie Hewitt?' Helen was the first to speak.

'Trudie Hewitt .... yes' came Cassie's reply, her voice low and serious as she spoke .....