CHAPTER 19
EALING AND SOUTH KENSINGTON, LONDON
When Miss Kelly decided to step outside for a cigarette while her client’s dye took effect, little did she know that this moment of fortuity would be of fundamental importance to the Metropolitan Police. As she lit up, Bethany emerged from her door, smiled and waved a cheerful greeting to her landlady. The hairdresser glanced at her phone and noticed that it was four o’clock. She wondered vaguely where her tenant was bound; probably out for shopping, she concluded.
An hour later, Sergeant Simons and a good-looking young constable entered her salon. Men, not to mention policemen, were unusual in her world, so it was understandable that the Irishwoman was on edge.
“I understand that you let a flat upstairs, Miss Kelly,” Simons stated, rather
