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said. ‘I don’t particularly like him but he was insistent and I said yes. He is a bit strange and before and after every class he parades himself in front of the wall mirror. I’ll be back at around nine. Come up here for a drink.’
    ‘You might be held up,’ said Steiner. ‘What about tomorrow night.’
    ‘That’s great,’ she said. ‘You can pick me up at eight.’
    ‘That’s fine,’ said Steiner. ‘I will see you then.’
    After the call Steiner sat in the living room and thought about Sophie. She hadn’t changed since he saw her before he went to Japan and he regarded her as one of the most attractive girls he had met. Her passion for life, the way she moved, only enhanced her good looks. He knew he could easily fall in love with her and in some ways that was something he feared. He was in part a loner and even though he knew his natural ability and determination had helped his development in life, it was the other that had put ice in his veins.
    The following evening St einer finished the class at seven-thirty. He went to his flat round the corner and after a shower drove up the Berea to where Sophie was staying. He rang the bell and she opened it. She wore a knee-length black dress and high heels, and her make-up was perfect. They greeted one another and she was about to lead him inside when someone came out of the shadows near the gate and walked up to the door.
    Sophie was momentarily stunned and then said: ‘John Kallis, what are doing here? James Steiner and I are going out for a drink.’
    ‘I’ ll come with you,’ said Kallis. He eyed Steiner. ‘I hope you don’t mind.’
    ‘I do,’ she said. ‘You were not asked and I don’t know what you are doing here, hanging about in the shadows. That’s very strange behaviour.’
    He laughed humourlessly. ‘So this guy has got you all to himself.’
    ‘Yes,’ she said. ‘That is the way I want it. Please go.’
    He walked to within an arm’s length of her. ‘Just leave him and we will go alone.’ He was starting to lose his cool and took hold of her arm. ‘I’m getting impatient.’
    ‘Leave her,’ said Steiner. ‘She’s too good for you .’
    Kallis let Sophie’s arm go and stared at him. For a moment he was still, unsure. There was something strange about Steiner, something dangerous. He smiled at Sophie, turned and slowly walked towards the gate.
    Steiner faced Sophie, who was amazed at the way he had dealt with Kallis.
    ‘Let ’s go in.’ he said. ‘He won’t come back.’
    They went inside and locked the door. Sophie sat down in the nearest chair. Her mind went to what Steiner had told her about Japan and she wondered what he had done to the three men who came for him. When he had taken sexual advantage of her in London she had sensed his presence and feline strength and she felt it now.
    St einer stood near her. ‘You will never rid the world of men who behave like that and enjoy it. The only chance you have of defending yourself is through the law or doing what you can to the best of your ability.’
    She got up. ‘After that I’m not in the mood to go out.’ She walked over to him and held his hand. ‘Let’s have a drink here and call it a night. That creature has spoilt the evening.’
    She led him into an adjacent room. There was a drinks cabinet against the wall. ‘What would you like,’ she said. ‘Everything is here.’
    He asked for a glass of water and she poured a Campari for herself. When they were seated on the sofa she asked: ‘When were you last in Japan?’
    ‘Just after I saw you in London,’ he said.
    ‘When you went for me?’
    He was quiet and then said: ‘Not the best thing I have done.’
    ‘But you showed such passion,’ she countered. ‘I enjoyed it even though I was angry. You were so gentle. I heard you had left for Japan.’
    ‘You were very attractive,’ he sa id.
    S he smiled and stared at him. ‘How would you like to take me to Japan? It’s coming up for their autumn,