It was Madame ‘Phlomis’ Balomis, also known as the Dowager Baroness Korngold of Alsace-Lorraine. Madame Balomis is an expatriate American who controls a string of high-class call girls all along the Côte d'Azur. Since I moved to Monte Carlo, she and I have been liaising closely on business matters: my late husband was a former client of hers. Phlomis rang to inform me that a very important gentleman was in town – the Duke of Burgundy himself – and that the Duke had particularly requested to see me in private that evening.” Judge M. Raymond Boucher of the Nice Cour D’Assises is handling the French end of the investigation into my husband’s unexplained death – which occurred when his private jet exploded, killing not only my husband Le Duc de D’Or Baleine, but also five crew members and travelling companions. Judge Boucher is receiving full co-operation from the authorities here in Monaco. After a bare minimum of opening pleasantries, he came straight to the point. Exactly, Lady Rebecca.“ Battaglia bit his lower lip nervously. “This looks very bad to the authorities in Nice and Marseille. It could be seen as confirmation of the suspicions that they have entertained from the very outset: that you and The Duke of Burgundy were co-conspirators in a plot against your late husband’s life!” Lady Rebecca: No special feelings as such. I enjoy his mode and methods of lovemaking - but I enjoy sexual activity just as much with many other men – and women. Because I received a phone call from a very good friend and colleague, advising me of an urgent business appointment, which detained me in Marseille.”

I organize regular shoots with top photographers, so that my girls are always depicted in the latest fashions and look as chic as possible – like extremely tarty supermodels! Some of these shoots are consciously “vanilla” – presenting my posh ladies as glamorous escorts, who can be safely taken to any social occasion without fear of embarrassment. Clients have invited my snooty sluts to royal garden parties, embassy receptions, and media award ceremonies - without ever incurring problems!Monsieur Judge, you are a Frenchman and man of the world. You will be aware of the fact that I am an internationally famous courtesan and professional prostitute, with many wealthy and famous clients.”

This is another of my fashion contests and the winning outfit will return for its lap of honour later in the year. Meanwhile – as there are no rules in my contests – please express your preferences in any way that you wish!! But the only connection the Duke has with this matter is that he arranged the assignation with me in Nice that prevented me from boarding my husband’s plane on that fatal night.” Now Battaglia is concerned that the recent proposal of marriage to me from The Duke of Burgundy could reflect badly on my part in the investigation.

Group pool

Nowadays, all that has all gone out the window. Powerful rich men – such as myself – are seeking a very different type of woman for their trophy wives. Beautiful, sophisticated, experienced – but also blatantly sexual, shamelessly lewd, and totally corrupted. I see. So you were about to leave for the airport and board the Duke’s private jet when this friend of yours called. Who was this friend.?” Judge Boucher: As you have previously declared, you are woman who enjoys intimate relations with many lovers, and partcipates in many other unusual sexual activities. I understand that - for a woman such as you - sex can be a very casual business. But, perhaps – in this particular case – you may have had some special feelings for Colonel Barrington?