‘How would I know? I don’t know anything about apartment 432.’

‘Oh, come off it, Stern. That’s where Salton had his first heart attack.’

He sat down suddenly as though the strength had gone out of his legs. ‘So you’ve got that far, have you?’

‘It wasn’t hard. Did you know about her before Salton died?’

He shook his head. ‘I suspected something, but I wasn’t certain. After his heart attack I kept a check but he never went near the place so I decided I was wrong. It was only when he died and I went through his accounts that I discovered he was paying the rent.’

‘He’d have to pay the rent. He couldn’t just let her live there rent-free even though he owned the place. That would be too obvious. Did Mrs Salton know about Miss Tomsson before Salton died?’

‘No, not to my knowledge.’

‘Does she know now?’

‘I haven’t told her,’ he said. ‘And I don’t intend to. These peccadilloes in a man’s life shouldn’t be given a public airing after his death. If Mrs Salton doesn’t already know, there is nothing to be gained by telling her. It would hurt her dreadfully and unnecessarily.’

‘I agree,’ I said. ‘And I don’t intend to tell her. But someone else knows.’

‘Who?’

‘Joe Hawke. What are the odds on his blowing the gaff?’

‘My God!’ said Stern. ‘That’s something he’ll use. That bastard has no principles at all.’ The uncharacteristic language showed that he was perturbed. ‘How do you know that Hawke knows?’

‘Because he tipped me off about it. What are you doing about Miss Tomsson?’

‘What do you mean? What should I do?’

I said, ‘Are you looking after her interests in any way?’

‘Looking after her interests?’ He was plainly baffled. ‘A woman like that?’ he said distastefully.

‘A woman like what?’ I demanded. ‘Don’t be such a bloody puritan. She was good enough for Salton, wasn’t she? I’d have thought he’d want her looked after – discreetly, of course.’ I stared at him. ‘Do you mean to tell me that you’re just letting the rent run to the end of the quarter and then leaving her to fend for herself?’

‘There is no legal obligation,’ he said primly.

‘No, there isn’t,’ I said through gritted teeth. ‘She could blackmail the hell out of Mrs Salton but, if I’m any judge of character, she’s made no move to do so. How much would it be worth to Mrs Salton to prevent a story like that breaking? Do you think a man like Salton would shack up with any floozy? She’s a straightforward and honest woman and she deserves better.’

‘I don’t see what this has got to do with you,’ Stern said acidly.