Dinner with the Dahlens

An hour later you pull your Porsche up in front of the Dahlen townhouse. Laurel waits for you to open her door and smiles and wriggles a little as you take her arm and walk up to the front door.

"Mr. Chandler! Mrs. Chandler! So glad you could join us!" Philip Dahlen exclaims as he opens the door and ushers you in. Laurel leans forward and offers him her cheek, and he nervously kisses it, obviously surprised by the gesture.

"It's Laurel and John tonight," she says with a smooth purr. "This is a social event Phillip." You nod agreement with a smile as he introduces his wife. Naomi smiles as she steps forward, only a flicker of a glance at you showing her nervousness. Laurel hugs her, and the two of them link arms as they walk down the hallway.

Philip is a good host, although he's clearly nervous and wanting to make a good impression. Laurel is at her most charming, putting him at ease and guiding the conversation. Naomi doesn't contribute much to the conversation, smiling at the comments of others, her glance periodically straying towards you.

Laurel is an expert at drawing people out, and it doesn't take her long to get Philip to reveal that he's an amateur photographer. By the time dinner is over she has inveigled him into showing her some of his work.

"Why don't you help Naomi clean up," she smiles at you. "While Philip shows off."

You smile and nod agreement, glancing at Naomi whose eyes flicker between her husband and you.