Murder on the Lake Read Online Free PDF Page B

Inspector?’
    Skelgill,
perhaps conscious that, with his implied objection, he has now drawn the
attention of Burt Boston, keeps his eyes steadily fixed upon Dickie Lampray.
    ‘An
explosion would last – what? – a second or two – depending
how the gas ignited.  If nobody saw it in that one moment – well,
there goes our spare gas.  As for the sound of the blast – even if
it were heard over the noise of the storm – without anyone seeing the
flash there would be no way of knowing where it came from.  And Grisholm
wouldn’t be your first guess.’
    Dickie
Lampray is nodding.
    ‘So
we’d be rather pissing into the wind, in your view, Inspector?’
    This
remark raises a titter from more than one person present.
    Skelgill
glances at Burt Boston, who returns his gaze.
    ‘Don’t
get me wrong – it could work – there are three marine flares in my
boat – I was thinking along similar lines – if I had no mobile
signal.  Irrelevant, now, of course.’
    The
group is silent for a few moments as they digest the pros and cons of the
signalling option.  It is Linda Gray who speaks first.
    ‘I
think the gas pressure is already falling – I noticed when I put on the soup
earlier.  The cylinder that’s connected could be about to run out.’
    Dr
Gerald Bond leans back and pats his stomach with the palms of both hands.
    ‘We
wouldn’t want still to be stuck here with no means of cooking – we’ve food
enough for good dinners and a full English breakfast every morning.’
    ‘And
we would have no lights!’  This outburst comes, somewhat unrestrainedly,
from Bella Mandrake.
    ‘There
are plenty of candles, Bella.’  Sarah Redmond makes a mischievous
spell-casting gesture with her fingers.  ‘Even more atmospheric than the
gas, don’t you think?’
    ‘I’m terrified
enough as it is.’ She shudders emphatically.  ‘Just how scary do we need
this place to be?’
    As if
he detects that the conversation is taking an undesirable course, Dickie
Lampray clears his throat authoritatively.
    ‘Inspector
– so what is the third option?’
    Skelgill
leans back and intertwines his fingers upon his lap.
    ‘I
could go for help.’
    ‘But,
how, Inspector?  Build a raft – in the dark?  It would be
impossible.  And in these conditions – you would capsize.’
    Skelgill
shakes his head.  His features are set grimly.
    ‘I
could swim.’
    There
is a collective gasp.  Dickie Lampray is first to summarise the general air
of alarm.
    ‘Inspector
– surely that wouldn’t be safe – the water is freezing – and
what about the waves – you would drown?’
    Skelgill
is impassive.
    ‘I’ve
dealt with worse conditions.  There’s a kind of triathlon I do every
year.  Not a dissimilar swim.’
    As
Skelgill glances about, he can see that Burt Boston scrutinises him through
narrowed eyes, while Bella Mandrake has hers screwed firmly shut, her small
fists balled at her sides.  Angela Cutting and Sarah Redmond share an
expression that perhaps contains a mix of intrigue and admiration.  Lucy
Hecate is turning up the toes of her pumps and looking at them critically.
    Now Dr
Gerald Bond intervenes.
    ‘Inspector
– I have been on first-aid duty at such events.  The participants
wear wetsuits, and there are always safety boats.’
    ‘Aye,
well – beggars can’t be choosers, sir.’
    The
doctor is shaking his head.
    ‘You
would be at severe risk of cold shock, Inspector – anything below sixty
degrees Fahrenheit and the human body is vulnerable – you could succumb
within minutes.’
    This
statement appears to be too much for Bella Mandrake, who throws up her hands
and bursts into tears.  She begins to wail about being left alone without
police protection.  Then she postulates Skelgill dying and that they would
be at the mercy of... of... evil forces .  It is difficult to determine
just how much of her histrionics are genuine, but certainly no one seems to
want to offer a comforting arm around the