‘A major difference if I might point it out,’ Faulkner said. ‘You now have five while I only have four.’

‘But you were thinking of adding a fifth, weren’t you?’

‘Which is why I paid Grace Packard to pose for me, but it didn’t work.’ Faulkner shook his head. ‘No, the damned thing is going to be cast as you see it now for good or ill.’

‘I see.’ Miller turned from the statues briskly. ‘One or two more questions if you don’t mind. Perhaps you’d rather I put them to you in private.’

‘I’ve nothing to hide.’

‘As you like. I’d just like to go over things again briefly. Mr Morgan called for you about eight?’

‘That’s right.’

‘What were you doing?’

‘Sleeping. I’d worked non-stop on the fourth figure in the group for something like thirty hours. When it was finished I took the telephone off the hook and lay on the bed.’

‘And you were awakened by Mr Morgan?’

‘That’s it.’

‘And then went to The King’s Arms where you met Grace Packard? You’re quite positive you hadn’t met her previously?’

‘What are you trying to suggest?’ Joanna interrupted angrily.

‘You don’t need to answer that, Bruno,’ Morgan said.

‘What in the hell are you both trying to do … hang me? Why shouldn’t I answer it? I’ve got nothing to hide. I should think Harry Meadows, the landlord, would be the best proof of that. As I recall, I had to ask him who she was. If you must know I thought she was on the game. I wasn’t looking forward to the party and I thought she might liven things up.’

‘And you met her boyfriend on the way out?’

‘That’s it. He took a swing at me so I had to put him on his back.’

‘Rather neatly according to the landlord. What did you use … judo?’

‘Aikido.’

‘I understand there was also some trouble at the party with Mr Marlowe?’

Faulkner shrugged. ‘I wouldn’t have called it trouble exactly. Frank isn’t the physical type.’

‘But you are – or so it would seem?’

‘What are you trying to prove?’ Joanna demanded, moving to Faulkner’s side.

‘Just trying to get at the facts,’ Miller said.

Morgan moved forward a step. ‘I’d say you were aiming at rather more than that. You don’t have to put up with this, Bruno.’

‘Oh, but I do.’ Faulkner grinned. ‘It’s beginning to get rather interesting. All right, Miller, I’ve an uncontrollable temper, I’m egotistical, aggressive and when people annoy me I tend to hit them. They even sent me to prison for it once. Common assault – the respectable kind, by the way, not the nasty sexual variety.’

‘I’m aware of that.’

‘Somehow I thought you might be.’

‘You brought the girl back here to pose for you and nothing else?’