“Well, we weren’t going to sit in the car all night, were we? I just sat there beside him for a bit but we never kissed or anything like that. You don’t have to kiss when you’re really in love. I knew he was speaking the truth. I knew he loved me. So after a time I got out and went back to the house.”

“Did he go back with you?”

“No, he didn’t. Why would he? I knew my way, didn’t I? Anyway, he wanted to be off, I could tell that.”

“Did he at any time mention Rhoda Gradwyn?”

“Of course he didn’t. Why would he talk about her? He never met her.”

“Did you give him keys to the Manor?”

And now she was suddenly angry again. “No, no, no! He never asked for the keys. Why would he want them? He never went near the place. You’re trying to pin murder on him because you’re protecting all the others—Mr. Chandler-Powell, Sister Holland, Miss Cressett—all of them. You’re trying to pin it all on Stephen and me.”

Dalgliesh said quietly, “We’re not here to pin this crime on the innocent. Our job is to find out who’s guilty. The innocent have nothing to fear. But Mr. Collinsby may well be in trouble if the story about you becomes known. I think you understand what I mean. We don’t live in a kind world and people might very easily misinterpret the friendship between him and your sister.”

“Well, she’s dead, isn’t she? What can they prove now?”

Mrs. Rayner broke her silence. She said, “They can’t prove anything, Sharon, but gossip and rumour don’t rely on truth. I think when Mr. Dalgliesh has finished questioning you we’d better have a talk about your future after this terrible experience. You’ve done very well so far, Sharon, but I think it may be time to move on.” She turned to Dalgliesh. “Could I have the use of a room here for a time, if you’ve finished?”

“Of course. It’s straight across the hall.”

Sharon said, “All right. I’m sick of the cops anyway. Sick of their questions, sick of their stupid faces. Sick of this place. I don’t see why I can’t leave right away. I could come with you now.”

Mrs. Rayner had already got up. “I don’t think that will be possible immediately, Sharon, but we’ll certainly work on it.” She turned to Dalgliesh. “Thank you for the use of the room. I don’t think Sharon and I will need it for long.”