Body on Show: A cozy mystery novella (Muddlebay Mysteries Book 3) by Wendy Cartmell

Author:Wendy Cartmell [Cartmell, Wendy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Costa Press
Published: 2021-07-01T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22

‘Ah, Flynn, glad I’ve caught you.’

Flynn had just answered a call from Jerome. ‘Have you any news for me?’

‘Yes, do I ever,’ said Jerome. ’I’ve had the Volvo processed and there was definitely a fault with the car which pushed CO2 into it. A failing exhaust meant fumes seeped into the car from holes in the chassis.’

‘And that’s bad?

‘You bet. Hundreds of people die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by a running vehicle inside a closed garage. Others die or become ill in homes with attached garages. Also while stranded in their car, or while driving or riding in a vehicle with a defective exhaust system.’

‘You’ll have to help me out here, Jerome,’ said Flynn. ‘Why are defective exhaust systems so dangerous?’

‘Internal combustion gasoline engines produce extremely high carbon monoxide concentrations. Even a properly tuned gasoline engine, will produce more than 30,000 parts per million (ppm) of CO2 in the exhaust stream before the catalytic converter. An exhaust leak can allow escape of CO2 before it is converted to non-toxic CO2 in the catalytic converter. And, bear in mind, the classic cars don’t have a catalytic converter. So, the CO2 leaking from the exhaust system can enter the vehicle through holes in the body or open windows or doors. Exhaust systems must be gas tight from the engine to the end of the tailpipe.’

‘And this one wasn’t?’

‘No, and high concentrations of carbon monoxide can kill in less than five minutes. And that’s why carbon monoxide is called the silent killer.’

Flynn was left pondering the whole exhaust system thing. Was this just an accidental death? But if so, stashing the bodies in the boot didn’t make sense. But then again, if it was a deliberate act of murder, then maybe putting the bodies in the boot would mean a delay in them being found, giving the killer a few hours to cover his tracks.

The trouble was that Flynn had no idea who’d done it. He had a pool of suspects, but many of them were far away. It therefore made more sense to concentrate on any locals who had come into contact with the Gains. Didn’t it?

Determined to do just that, gave Flynn another investigative path to follow, pushing to the back of his mind the niggling thought that he could be making a massive mistake.

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