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Back Stealth Save as PDF
Chapters (71)
  1. Cover
  2. BOOKS BY STUART WOODS
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  66. AUTHOR’S NOTE
  67. Excerpt from TREASON
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  70. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
  71. What’s next onyour reading list?

“Good suggestion,” Holmes said. “I’d better go and find the good lady.” He left the kitchen.

—

Roger Fife-Simpson watched from the woods across the road as other vehicles arrived at the house. He was trapped where he was until all this quieted down and he could escape in the van.

—

Stone found Chief Inspector Holmes in the library, chatting with Dame Felicity. “May I join you?” he asked, pulling up a chair.

“Of course,” Holmes replied. “Do you have any other suggestions for our investigation? You’re doing very nicely so far.”

“I think it might be a good idea to search the woods on both sides of the road from Beaulieu. The culprit may have hidden there and been trapped by the arriving police.”

“Stone,” Holmes said, “may I offer you an inspector’s commission with the Hampshire police? We could use you.”

“Thank you, Chief Inspector,” Stone said, “but I am otherwise engaged.”

“Of course. Tell me, have you seen any strangers about the house today?”

Stone thought about it. “Yes,” he replied. “A man from British Gas was here—to read the meter, I suppose.”

Holmes frowned. “I don’t think gas has reached this far south, yet.”

Stone’s face fell. “Oh, God, I forgot. We have two large propane tanks out back that are periodically filled by a local supplier. You’re right, we don’t have a gas meter.”

“I think my people should have a look around the neighborhood then,” the chief inspector said. He excused himself and left the room.

—

Gradually, the police drifted from the house, and Stone was once again alone with Felicity and Rose.

He gave them each a kiss. “Where were we?” he asked.

61

Roger Fife-Simpson could hear people on foot nearby now. He abandoned the van and melted into the woods. Then it occurred to him that the safest place for him might be near the house, since the police had, apparently, completed their search there.

—

Stone had reached the second floor, right behind Felicity and Rose, who had begun to unzip things, when his phone rang. “Yes?”

“Stone, it’s Holmes.”

“Yes, Chief Inspector?”

“My people have found a van in the woods across the road from your house, which shows signs of having had something stuck to it. There’s also been a small fire, where something cotton was burned. It occurs to me that our man may still be around and that you should be on your guard.”

“Thank you, I’ll have a look around,” Stone said. He fetched his shotgun. “If you’ll excuse me,” he said to Felicity and Rose. “I have to take a walk around the house.”

“It’s all right, darling,” Felicity said, “we’ll still be here when you get back. May we start without you?”