Blood Sinister by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles

of old leggings and a floppy jumper. I said to her many a time, you’ve got legs most women would die for, darling, yet you never, ever show them – and between you and me,’ he added confidentially to Swilley, ‘she was one of those lucky creatures who never even had to shave them. But she wore trousers
all the time
,’ he tutted. ‘Still, she never had any shortage of men admiring her. And not only for her intellect, fabulous though it was.’ Again, the bland stare. ‘I’m sure she had all the affairs she wanted. Not that I knew anything about them. She was always discreet. No names, no pack drill. I certainly never heard her mention any man’s name, or heard her name coupled with anyone else’s in that context, by anyone.’
    On their way back upstairs, Norma said to Slider, ‘Was he for real, do you think, boss? Bit of a Tragedy Jill, wasn’t he?’
    Slider frowned thoughtfully. ‘There was something going on underneath his words – or at least, he wanted us to think there was. That’s the trouble with actors, I suppose – you can never tell when they’re acting.’
    ‘He’s only an ex-actor,’ Norma pointed out.
    ‘That might very well be the worst kind. What did you make of him.’
    ‘He struck me as possessive. Phoebe was
his
best friend, and she oughtn’t to be anyone else’s.’
    ‘Hmm. What a life she led, with Lorraine upstairs and Medmenham downstairs, both knocking at her door at all hours, yearning to unbosom themselves.’
    ‘It was her choice,’ Norma said unkindly. ‘What was she doing living there anyway? I see her as leeching off them as much as vice versa – surrounding herself with sad acts who made her feel important.’
    He dropped behind her as they met people coming down. ‘But surely she was a big enough name already, without that?’
    ‘No-one’s ever important enough in their own eyes,’ Norma said. ‘We’re all insecure. It’s only a matter of degree.’ Sheclimbed faster than him, and her wonderful athletic bottom bounced just ahead at eye-level, leading him ever upwards. Better than a banner with a strange device. She stopped on the landing and waited for him. ‘I couldn’t get my head round his kit. Those trousers and that sweater were smart and expensive, but then he tops it off with that whiskery old weasel.’
    ‘Harris tweed,’ said Slider, glad for once to be sartorially better informed than one of his minions. ‘It lasts for ever, but it costs a small mortgage in the beginning. So it’s of a piece with the rest.’
    ‘Oh,’ said Swilley. They pushed through the swing doors. ‘Maybe that’s what he spends his money on, then. If he’s a protected tenant, he won’t be paying much rent. He’d be a fool to move out of that flat. It makes you feel quite sorry for the Sborski character.’
    ‘Hmm. You know, there’s something not quite right about Medmenham. Something he’s not being straight about.’
    Norma raised her eyebrows. ‘I should have thought almost everything.’
    ‘Seriously. There’s something wrong about his story.’
    ‘Yes, he didn’t seem convinced by it,’ Norma agreed. ‘And if he was going to see his dear old mum, why not wait till the weekend, instead of taking a day off for it?’
    ‘Why indeed?’ Slider said. ‘I think I could bear to know whether he did go and see her last night. He’s hiding something. Or—’ he added with frustration, ‘he wants us to think he is.’
    ‘Don’t start that,’ Norma warned, ‘or you’ll drive yourself nuts.’
    ‘But even if he is hiding something,’ Slider continued, pausing at his door, ‘I can’t really see him as the murderer. I mean, why would he? And even if he did it, he’d hardly tie her up and rape her, would he?’
    Norma looked thoughtful. ‘I don’t know about that bit. But if it’s a motive you want, there’s always jealousy.’
    ‘Jealousy?’
    ‘Well, he obviously adored her. She was just the type – a big redhead, a faded star – just the