‘She was murdered last Monday,’ said Dave.
‘Oh my God, how awful!’ Maxine was clearly shocked at the news of Sharon’s murder and sat down heavily in a director’s chair. ‘D’you know who did it?’
‘Not at the moment,’ said Dave, ‘which is why we’re making enquiries of anyone who knew her. When did you last see her?’
‘It must’ve been all of six months ago, I should think,’ said Maxine, ‘and then our affair sort of fizzled out. By unspoken mutual consent, if you know what I mean. Mind you, I know that I wasn’t the only lover in her life, male or female. As a matter of fact, she talked quite openly about her affairs. She’d often tell me about her conquests, as she called them, both here and in the States. I told her she was being too reckless for her own good and that such irresponsible behaviour would get her into trouble one day.’ Her face took on a sad expression. ‘And it looks as though I was right,’ she added, unaware that she was echoing what Jill Gregory had said about her late sister-in-law’s promiscuity.
‘How did you meet Sharon?’ asked Kate.
‘On a flight to Miami. I’d treated myself to a rare holiday. I thought that to have a look at America would be a change from my usual jaunts to Europe.’
‘When was this?’ asked Dave.
‘About a year ago, I suppose, maybe eighteen months. It was a night flight, but I can never sleep on an aeroplane, so I went up to the first-class lounge for a few drinks. There was no one else there and Sharon was on duty, and we got talking. I could see straightaway that she had a good figure and a vibrant personality, and my artist’s eye told me that she’d make a good nude study. I do the occasional life painting, although landscapes and seascapes are my usual métier.’
‘And did she pose for you?’ enquired Kate.
‘Yes, she did, but only once.’
‘Why was that?’
‘I’m afraid the sight of a naked Sharon was just too much of a distraction for me, and the next time she came we finished up in the bedroom for a couple of passionate hours.’ Maxine smiled, but displayed no sign of embarrassment at her admission. She crossed to the pile of canvases, sorted through them and selected one that depicted an unclothed Sharon reclining elegantly on the very couch Kate and Dave were occupying. It was unfinished.
‘Was that the last time you saw her?’
‘No, she came to the studio quite a few times after that, but not to pose. At least, not for a painting.’ Maxine smiled at the recollection. ‘She even turned up uninvited on one occasion when my boyfriend was here. That was a fun few hours, I can tell you.’
‘Did she ever mention any of her male friends by name?’ asked Kate.
‘No, and I didn’t ask. But I think she was too discreet to name names. Oh, what a loss. We had some good times together.’
‘Did you know that she was married?’ asked Dave.
‘No, I didn’t. What does it matter, anyway?’
‘When you said that your boyfriend was here on one occasion, Miss Riley …’ began Kate.
‘Please call me Max, Inspector. In fact, Jonno – his name’s actually Jonathan – was here more than once.’
‘And did Sharon meet him here more than once?’
‘Yes, several times. I think Jonno took quite a shine to her. She certainly did to him. I could see there was chemistry between the two.’
‘Didn’t that worry you?’ asked Kate, seeking a motive for murder.
‘Why should it? We were all free spirits and I haven’t got a jealous bone in my body.’
‘Do you think she and Jonathan were ever alone, away from here perhaps?’
‘It’s possible, I suppose. As I said, it wouldn’t have bothered me. Neither of us was married – Jonno and I – and we enjoyed a fairly free lifestyle. And I wouldn’t have blamed him for having sex with Sharon; as I said, she was a very passionate woman.’
‘Are you still seeing this boyfriend?’ asked Dave.
‘He was killed in a car accident three months ago.’ Maxine grabbed a tissue from the box on the table and dabbed at her eyes. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said, ‘but I still miss him. He was a good artist, painted portraits mainly. It seems that everyone in my life is getting killed.’
‘I apologize for having to ask this, Max, but where were you last Monday?’ asked Kate, conscious of the fact that evidence of another woman’s involvement had been found at the scene of Sharon’s murder.
‘I suppose that’s what you police persons call a routine enquiry,’ said Maxine, quickly recovering her composure and smiling. ‘Actually I was in Southampton. I spent all that day and the following painting the Queen Mary 2. Not painting the ship itself,’ she added, with a laugh, ‘painting a depiction of it.’ She crossed to the easel and whipped off the cloth to reveal an almost finished study of Cunard’s flagship cruise liner. ‘I stayed at the Hilton Hotel in Southampton that night and the night after, and came home on Wednesday. I can finish the rest of the painting here.’