The lights in the particularly lavish restaurant that was located in the centre of Cardiff were dim, providing a romantic atmosphere. Soft music played in the air just for two people who were seated in the centre of the great room, enjoying their meal. They didn't seem to notice that the place was empty but for them. They simply talked, empty plates in front of them, never taking their eyes off the other and keeping their hands linked.

The middle-aged waitress stood discreetly a little further away, watching the couple just in case they needed something. As time went by, however, she couldn't help but study them. For the man didn't seem less than in his early fifties, with silver hair that was at the beginnings of changing to white and grey eyes that reflected brightness of intelligence. His body, which was quite well-preserved for his age, admittedly, leaned close to the woman so he could place a loving kiss on her cheek, and the waitress couldn't help but shift her attention. The woman was much younger than the man, with dark hair that was tied in an aristocratic bun, accentuating her oval face, and an elegant black dress that certainly flattered her slender figure.

"Would you believe it?" the waitress said as one of her colleagues passed by. "He's old enough to be her father!"

The waiter looked at the couple and he shook his head. "It's not our business what the clients do in their life, Meggie."

"But really, how is it possible that she actually marriedhim?" Meggie insisted; she had noticed the wedding bands on their hands. "Of course, they're probably not even married to each other and that's…"

"Quite presumptuous of you," the waiter concluded for her. "Your only excuse is that you're new here so you're not familiar with the Adler day."

Meggie blinked in confusion, and the waiter let out a long suffering sigh.

"That's Robert Adler," he said, pointing at the man. "You've probably seen his name in the newspaper a couple of times."

Meggie felt her eyes widening. "Hang on… The Robert Adler? The barrister?" Indeed, she had heard of him. He wasn't exactly famous, but he was involved in several cases that had caught the media's attention.

"None other. And now that we got out that out of the way, here's the deal with the Adler day," the waiter said. "Every year, on the same day, he puts the whole restaurant under reservation just for himself and his wife, so that they can celebrate their anniversary."

"You make it sound as if they've been doing it for years," Meggie said, frowning slightly.

"They have," the waiter said. "This is their 25th anniversary."

"You're bloody kidding me!" Meggie exclaimed.

"Indeed not."

"But she barely looks a day more than thirty… at the most!"

"And she's actually in her late thirties," the waiter said. "Looks can certainly be deceiving, can't they?"

Meggie didn't say anything. She just remained looking at them, her disapproval changing into wonder.

"We had quite the audience tonight," Aline said, her arm wrapped around her husband's in a lady-like manner. She had noticed the waitress staring at them.

Her husband must have noticed the same thing, for he chuckled. "Are you worried she was making eyes at me?"

Aline raised an eyebrow. "I don't know. Should I be?"

"Very," Robert replied with a grin. "It means I've still got it."

"That you do," Aline replied with a giggle. "But you'd better not misbehave, mister. I found you first."

"Oh, I do want my head on my shoulders, dear," Robert joked.

"That makes two of us," Aline replied, leaning close to her husband to cup his face. "I love you."

"I love you, too," Robert replied, placing a tender kiss on her lips. "I'll go bring the car up front."

Aline smiled. "Okay."

Robert just grinned and stepped back, bowing as if he was a knight. "My lady."

She giggled once again and then watched him go, bringing her long raincoat closer to herself. It felt quite nippy tonight.

Robert walked to the parking lot, his step quite brisk. It didn't take him long to find the car, a black Volvo, located a little further away from the other cars. Whistling a bit to himself, he was just about to unlock it when he felt motion behind him. All sense of cheeriness abandoned him, and he put his hand slowly on the inside of his coat. He had dealt with muggers before; this one wasn't going to catch him by surprise either; he span around, gun in hand.

The last thing he registered was a set of sharp teeth embedding themselves on his neck.

Aline paced the pavement slowly, then took out her left hand from her pocket to check the time. It had been five minutes since Robert had gone for the car, and she had decided that that wasn't good. They hadn't parked all that far, so there was no reason for that kind of delay.

Frowning, she headed for the parking lot, hoping for the best and yet expecting the worst. With eyes scanning her surroundings at all times, it didn't take her long to find the car… and her husband, being mauled by a crouching form.

"Robert!" she shouted, but she never had the chance to do anything else. The familiar pain of a bullet pierced through her chest, and she knew nothing more.