The Dead Lie Down (Adam Lennox Thrillers: Book One) Read Online Free PDF Page A

through one of the lower decks when I heard a loud crash and went to
investigate."
    There was a hesitation whilst a mouthful of brandy was dispatched.
    "I eventually found a companionway door swinging loose at one of the forward
hold steps. I couldn't see very well but I could make out a body at the foot of
the companionway. I went to see if I could do anything but the light was out on
the stairs. I called the captain and we went down with a flash-light."
    He paused long enough for Brad to prompt him. "And?"
    "Man
was dead as a doornail. His neck was at a ridiculous angle and his eyes had a
look of death about them."
    He hesitated, trying to gauge his audience's reaction of which there was little,
which seemed to disappoint him.
    He then continued to recount raising the radio-operator and insisting that he
radio the port authorities in Harwich. When they had arrived in Harwich he had
been questioned at length before being allowed to return to London.
    "And to cap it all when I arrive here the police are waiting, ready to accuse me
of murdering the man," he finished.
    Something grated in Adam's brain but he couldn't decide what it was. He examined
a fingernail closely.
    "Have they actually accused you?"
    "No."
    "That's a good sign. Did they actually say that they suspected foul play?"
    "They said they're still investigating."
    Adam hesitated. "Do you suspect foul play?"
    John sat, mouth open, as if the words wouldn't come. "I don't know." Something
in expression worried Adam. he turned to Bel who had been standing quietly
keeping a low profile.
    "Any thoughts?"
    Bel, arms folded, almost made a face at being put on the spot. She shook her
head instead.
    "On the face of it I don't see what the police have got to go on, so maybe they
were on a fishing expedition." She hesitated before continuing. "What worries me
is the speed of their reaction. Even if there was foul play, for the Harwich
authorities to contact the Met. and for them to approach John in such a public
manner and so soon seems an over-the-top reaction to me."
    "Which means?" prompted Adam.
    "Which means that they know something we don't," replied Bel.
    They both turned to Bartlett, and Adam voiced their thoughts.
    "I think you're right. It sounds like there's something going on that we don't
know about." He looked at John Bartlett and continued, "but unless there's
something that you're not telling me then as far as I can see you're in no
danger from the police. It's not as if you're without influence and they would
have to have a cast iron case to risk attempting to make an accusation stick to
such a high profile individual."
    There was no response from John so Adam stood up. "If you want my advice then
co-operate with the police as much as possible. It'll count against you if you
seem to be holding something back. If they get around to formal accusations then
we'll deal with the adverse publicity as it happens."
    They looked at each other for a moment before Brad's voice burst into the
silence.
    "Don't get involved with the cops any more than you have to. The cops have
nothing on you but you should still keep out of their way for a while until it
blows over. Take a vacation, or even a business trip overseas. These cops get
their claws into you and they'll try to make something stick. Whatever, it won't
be good for the company."
    Brad looked over at Adam, inviting him to contradict and Adam's instincts gave
in to his imagination. Something was going on here that he didn't like and that
he didn't want to be part of. He looked at Bel and then back to John.
    "John, if there is something that you're not telling me, and something you don't
want to tell me then I can't help you. My advice is to tell the police anything
you know that might come out anyway."
    John uncharacteristically looked unhappily at his feet and wouldn't meet Adam's
gaze. "I have nothing that will help them," he maintained.
    "Tell it to the police anyway." The