Blackstone and the Great War Read Online Free PDF Page B

assuming that Fortesque was killed by one of his own platoon, are you?’ Blackstone asked.
    â€˜Well, of course I am. Who else would have done it? You’re surely not suggesting it was a private from one of the other platoons, are you?’
    â€˜It could have been,’ Blackstone said. ‘Or it could have been one of the officers.’
    â€˜It most certainly could not have been one of the officers!’ Huxton exploded. He turned to Carstairs for support. ‘Will you remind this bounder of his place – or should I?’
    â€˜At this stage of the investigation, I don’t think we can afford to rule any possibility out,’ Carstairs said calmly.
    â€˜What!’ Huxton asked, outraged. ‘Are you saying that you’re willing to subscribe to the disgraceful notion that an officer could have  . . . could have  . . .’
    â€˜I think it’s highly unlikely – but not entirely inconceivable,’ Carstairs said.
    Huxton stood up. ‘I find it impossible to play any part in an investigation which could entertain the idea that a gentleman could be party to such an act – and I wash my hands of the whole affair,’ he bellowed. ‘And as for you, Carstairs,’ he continued, as he strode furiously to the door, ‘all I can say is that I consider you a traitor to your class.’
    Once Huxton had slammed the door behind him, Carstairs sighed and said, ‘You may sit if you wish, Blackstone.’
    â€˜That would have been a most welcome invitation fifteen minutes ago, but now I think I prefer to stand,’ Blackstone told him.
    Carstairs nodded. ‘I don’t suppose there’d be any point in offering you a whisky, either.’
    â€˜Not at the moment.’
    â€˜I may have pointed out to Captain Huxton the necessity of cooperating with you,’ Carstairs said, ‘but I certainly wouldn’t want to have given you the impression that I approve of you being here and—’
    â€˜You haven’t,’ Blackstone told him.
    â€˜Kindly do not interrupt,’ Carstairs snapped. ‘I want it clearly understood that I am only giving you my support in this venture of yours because that is what I’ve been ordered to do.’
    â€˜That is understood,’ Blackstone agreed.
    â€˜And you might make both your task and mine a little easier if, as an ex-sergeant, you showed some respect when addressing an officer,’ Carstairs continued. ‘For example, I’d appreciate it if you called me “sir”.’
    â€˜I’m sure you would,’ Blackstone agreed.
    â€˜Well, then?’
    â€˜And if the men heard me calling you “sir”, what would they think?’
    â€˜They’d think it was only right and proper.’
    Blackstone shook his head. ‘No, they wouldn’t. What they would think is that everything they told me would come straight back to you.’
    â€˜And so it should. Not that I’m expecting you to report it to me directly, of course.’
    â€˜No?’
    â€˜No – the NCO who accompanies you will file the report.’
    â€˜There won’t be any NCO accompanying me,’ Blackstone said.
    â€˜I’m afraid you’re quite wrong about that,’ Carstairs said firmly.
    â€˜None of you seem to have quite got the hang of what’s going on yet, have you?’ Blackstone asked. ‘I’m conducting a criminal investigation here. I’ll go where I want to go, and talk to who I want to talk to—’
    â€˜That’s out of the question.’
    â€˜â€”and if there are any restrictions placed on me, I’ll be on the next train out of here, and you can explain to the General Staff why I’ve gone.’
    â€˜I don’t like being threatened,’ Carstairs growled.
    â€˜And I’m not threatening you,’ Blackstone replied. ‘But if I’m to find the guilty man, be he a private soldier or