[MaC] A pause in the music

[Mel Mason]

The party was continuing after the disruption of the warden's visit ... 
There was still no sign of Esme (although Cyril might have re-appeared by 
now).

When suddenly the music of the piano in Anton Barowennski's flat broke off 
abruptly.  A pause, and then Anton himself appeared at the service door of 
the flat.  No-one had vever seen him like this - white faced, shakingm his 
dark eyes wild.

"Come," he said.  "You must come ..."  His eyes moved around the room, as 
though searching for someone.  And then suddenly, shockingly, he sank to the 
ground, buried his face in his hands, and wept.

"Come on," said Oswald briefly.

(OOC - who's staying with Barowenski and who's going to his flat?)

The service door led to the small bare corridor where only the service lift 
protruded.  It was possible to see the service doors to all four of the 
penthouses too ... Baropwenski's was open, but all inside was dark.

When they first entered, 6the flat was in virtual darkness.  There was a 
faint light from some device - a wireless gramophone, it seemed.  But little 
could be distinguished by that.  Oswald walked towards the light switch and 
snapped it on.

And then all those present saw her ... Nola Diamond.

She was lying on the settee, and at first glance it seemed as though she had 
fallen asleep there, her dark red hair falling across her face.  But there 
was something strangely still about her.  Oswald, with an exclamation, 
walked forward and lifted the hair to reveal a little of her neck.  And then 
they all saw the marks left by a ligature that had bitten deeply into the 
pale flesh.

"I'm afraid," said Oswald, "she's dead."