Almost imperceptibly, the bodies began to close in on Laura and her accusers. She looked wildly around her. Seeing how the mood of the room had changed, she made a quick decision. Instead of making for the door, she ducked down and pushed between the bodies and the counter itself. As she broke free of the crowd, she ran towards the fire exit at the back of the room.

Caught off guard, Lindsay wasted valuable seconds twisting and weaving through the confused group of people. She was a good half minute behind as she threw herself through the fire door. Julie was on her heels, and the curious mob were only a few steps behind. Finding herself in a long corridor, Lindsay paused for a moment to get her bearings. Off to the left, she could hear a distant clattering of running footsteps. She took off in pursuit, her trainers squeaking on the cheap vinyl flooring.

The corridor opened out into the wide foyer outside the conference hall itself. There was no sign of Laura. Lindsay grabbed the first person she saw and gasped. “Laura Craig? Did you see her just now?”

The man shrugged. “I don’t know her.”

His companion, however, was more help. “She went into the admin offices,” he volunteered. “What the hell’s going on?” he added as her retinue of excited followers appeared behind her.

Lindsay didn’t stop to answer. She ran to the conference office and threw the door open. Laura Craig stood facing the door, a telephone to her ear. “I don’t care if he’s in a meeting,” Lindsay heard her shout angrily. “You get Chief Superintendent Collinson down here right now. Tell him Laura Craig is about to be lynched.” She stared at Lindsay, the defiance not nearly strong enough to hide the fear.

Laura slammed the phone down, and stood her ground. The face off between the two women silenced the office staff and the crowd who were pushing into the room behind Lindsay. Then Pauline stepped away from her desk and moved between the two women. “What the hell’s going on? Lindsay? What are you playing at?” she demanded.

Her words broke the spell. Suddenly, the crowd surged forward, angry muttering rising to a crescendo. Before they could reach Laura, the picture changed again. Above the hubbub, a voice bellowed, “That’s enough! Let’s all keep calm now.”

Heads turned towards the door. A stream of uniformed policemen flowed into the room. The crowd stopped uncertainly. “Thank God,” Laura said.

Lindsay swung round. Behind the police officers, she could see a familiar face. Sophie gave a little wave as the inspector who had shouted for calm stood uncertainly in the middle of the room. “Which one of you ladies is Laura Craig?” he asked.

Chapter 16

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