[MaC] At the Fitzroys: More guests arrive

[Mel Mason]

>>"Davis. Braham Davis," he said quickly. "And you must be Mrs. Fitzroy." He 
>>took her hand gently and gave a slight bow. "Thank you for the invitation. 
>>It is a pleasure to finally meet you." From his accent he was most 
>>certainly American; a handsome, young, charismatic American. How he had 
>>been managing to blend into the shadows was a bit of a mystery.
>>
>>Esme smailed at him vaguely.  "So lovely to see you," she said in a voice 
>>devoid of emotion.
>>
>>"Mr. Davis, would you care for a cocktail?"  Hodges had assumed a position 
>>behind the long table as Mr. Davis introduced himself to the hostess.
>
> Braham turned his full attention to Hodges, "Ah, yes. That would be 
> wonderful." He ponder the choices for a moment,  "Something simple I 
> think. Perhaps a gin and tonic?" A bit of alcohol to take the edge off of 
> any raw emotions would certainly help to make this evening go smoother.
>
> He waited patiently for the drinks to be made. Once it was in hand, he 
> resisted to urge to down the entire thing in one gulp. Certainly that 
> would not help him remember the details of the evening later on. As much 
> as he wanted to dull the pain, he needed to stay sharp. So he took a 
> careful sip. "Excellent," he proclaimed for both Hodge's and Esme's sake. 
> "Thank you."

At this point, the host of the party, Marty Fitzroy himself entered, with 
Nicola Diamond on his arm.  They were closely followed by Anton Barowenski 
with Marjorie Higgins.

"More drinks, 'Odges!" ordered Fitzroy.  "What will you 'ave, my dear?" he 
said, turning with an  oleaginous smile to Nicola.  The sound of the 
doorbell ringing brought a frown to his face.  "You get that, Esme," he 
ordered abruptly.

"Au contraire," said Anton, with a little bow.  Mrs. Fitzroy, if you will 
permit ... and Miss Higgins, if you will excuse me ... "

Another bow and he was gone down the stairs.

"Well," said Esme faintly, sinking back in her chair.

Marty Fitzroy was scowling - clearly his client's intervention had not 
pleased him.  Then he gave a short laugh.  "Foreigners!" he said 
contemptuously, before turning again to Nicola.  "Now, Miss Diamond, what 's 
your poison?"  The last was said almost with a leer.