‘Be careful,’ I warned.

‘Get that woman out of my sight! She’s not going near him!’

‘What’s going on?’

Mifflin came in.

Outside, there came a squeal of brakes, and a pounding of feet on the terrace. Sergeant MacGraw and two uniformed cops burst into the room.

Serena took a quick step back. I was watching her. I saw her lift the gun, turning it on herself. There was a look of sick terror in her eyes as she pressed the barrel into her side. I was waiting for that move. I threw myself forward, knocking her to the floor as the gun went off.

Mifflin dashed forward, dropped on his knees and wrenched the gun out of bar hand.

I rolled away from her.

She lay on her side, her head cradled on her arm, sobbing.

‘Is she hurt?’ Muffin panted.