Hawthorn Island by Geri Hemer

Author:Geri Hemer
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: UNKNOWN
Published: 2020-04-27T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 31

Dr. Andrews took the two policemen to the west wing. The forensics specialists followed. The doctor showed them the bodies of the housekeeper, Megan Daynes, and Galen Barrington, the butler. The forensics guys conducted quick examinations of the bodies.

“There’s another one in here,” said the doctor, and he led them into the games room where Arthur’s body was laid out on the pool table.

“Right between the eyes,” said the sergeant.

“Are there more?” asked the inspector.

“There’s one upstairs.”

He led the two policemen to Diana’s room. Diana’s body had deteriorated since he’d last seen it. “This is, or was, Diana Stark. She was a model, I believe,” said the doctor.

Steve was hammering on Ben’s door. The inspector went to investigate.

“He’s not answering,” said Steve, “and I don’t have a key.”

“Stand back,” said the inspector. He lifted his foot and landed a hefty kick on the door, right beside the handle. The door flew open. “Wait here.” He drew his gun and went inside.

A few moments later, the doctor and Steve heard a gunshot from inside Ben’s room. Then the inspector called for the doctor to come inside.

Ben Doyle lay on the floor beside the bed, apparently reaching toward the service cord. The doctor got down on his knees and checked for a pulse.

“Is he dead?” asked the inspector.

“As a proverbial doornail,” said the doctor. “Do you know what killed him?”

“This,” said the inspector, holding up a dead snake. “It’s a common brown, the most venomous snake in Australia.”

Dr. Andrews gasped in disbelief. “That makes number nine,” he said.

“Explain that statement, Doctor,” said the inspector. “Diana Stark, Arthur Penny, Megan Daynes, Galen Barrington, and Ben Doyle. That makes only five.”

“Oliver Lovelace was involved in a scuba diving incident. He was taken to hospital in Cairns, Marina was stabbed and survived, Steve Lannester fell off a cliff.”

“He’s alive. We’ve met him,” said the sergeant.

The doctor nodded. “Robert Strauss rescued him.”

“Was that an accident or attempted murder?” said the inspector.

“I’m not sure. I suspect Arthur pushed him off the cliff.”

“Go on,” said the inspector.

“Tony the gardener… Come with me and I’ll show you his body.”

“That’s six deaths, one, possibly two attempted murders, and one accidental injury,” said the sergeant after they’d viewed Tony’s remains. “Is that the lot, Doc?”

“Yes.”

They went back inside and set up operations in the lounge.

“Tell us about these riddles,” said a tight-lipped inspector.

Dr. Andrews was able to hand over all seven riddles. He had collected them carefully.

The inspector scratched his head. “You say you can link each of these riddles to a death?”

“I think so, yes,” said the doctor.

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