Last Out From Roaring Water Bay Read Online Free Page A

You don’t have one?”
    Scar-face’s complexion turned purple with rage. Within a few minutes of our paths crossing I’d managed to make his guts ache. I thrived on those sorts of annoyances. Yet as I observed his transition from a mild mannered official to a snarling beast, I began to have my doubts about his authenticity as a ministry official. I’d never seen a person of authority deliver the face of a deranged madman as he did. I kept my eyes firmly on him or at least I thought I had until I realized much later what the crafty bastard had done.
    As for the present situation, it was plainly obvious that they lied better than I did because there was one outstanding flaw in their story. Tommy never saw me take anything from the wreck and neither did I tell him I had. I believed they were guessing that anything was taken at all. Now was probably the right time to find out before I decided to eject them out of my home.
    I said, “Even though I wasn’t where you say I was, what is it that I’ve allegedly stolen?”
    Filbert sneered. “You’ve a bad memory. Try the reconnaissance camera.”
    “Oh I see…Now let me get this straight. A plane crashes from a great height and probably disintegrated on impact, and after all these years you still expect to pick up all the pieces?” I shook my head. “I don’t think that’s possible. Do you?”
    I still couldn’t sway Filbert. “You must think we’re gullible, Speed. You dug it from the wreck. You stole it!”
    I’d no intention of falling into any verbal trap. “Look! I suggest you go and ask the dog involved because the papers said the dog found the wreck. You can’t go around blaming innocent people because you’re incapable of finding whatever you’ve lost. Now if you’re absolutely convinced there is something out there to be found, then I’ll lend you my metal detector if you can’t afford one. For the right price you could even hire me to find it for you. But I don’t come cheap!”
    “Cut the crap, Speed, and hand over the camera,” Filbert seethed.
    “I seem to be having trouble convincing you of my innocence.”
    “It’s your last chance!”
    I knew at that precise moment that they’d nothing to connect me directly to Berkshire. I decided to call their bluff. Stone faced, I said, “If I’m under suspicion then arrest me now because I’m beginning to get bored with your wild accusations.” I paused for an answer. “So what is it to be, handcuffs or are you two going to hold hands and skip off back to Whitehall?”
    I expected a backlash and Scar face didn’t disappoint. He snarled, baring a dentist’s paradise of profitable work to be done, chipped and horribly stained teeth. “Your arrogance can get you seriously hurt, Speed.”
    I was ready to grapple with him if necessary.
    Filbert stepped between us, a thin smile on his face. I suppose I should be thankful for his intervention as it certainly prevented a lot of damage to my furniture. He said, “Fortunately for you, Speed, we have far more important matters that require our immediate attention. Don’t assume this is the end. Next time the search warrant will be intact and pinned to your forehead for closer inspection.”
    I’d no need to direct them out of my home with the assistance of my faithful defensive baton that I keep in a handy position just behind the study door. They left hurriedly, without even a glance over their shoulders. Their rushed exit had me puzzled. I watched their retreat and final departure with added interest. They climbed into a black saloon, which was parked half on the pavement in front of my driveway to prevent any escape by a vehicle, and then accelerated away like boy-racers.
    I’d no doubts that I would see them again. Not that I wanted to, but it seemed inevitable. I closed the door and secured the bolt in place just in case they returned unannounced and tried to force their way inside. I went and made a pot of tea, thoughtful of my initial