A Maze of Murders by Roderic Jeffries Read Free Book Online Page B

of whisky and some glasses to the Laboratory of Forensic Sciences and demand one such without the authority to do so?’
    â€˜I judged that speed of action was essential.’
    â€˜A most unusual judgement for you to make.’
    â€˜In this case…’
    â€˜What case?’
    â€˜The disappearance of the Englishman, Señor Neil Lewis.’
    â€˜I have read through all the reports received during my absence and cannot recall one dealing with this matter.’
    â€˜I haven’t yet made a preliminary report because so many of the facts are still uncertain.’
    â€˜If uncertain, how do you begin to justify your request for a full analysis at exorbitant cost to the department?’
    â€˜Because I think that the results will establish that Lewis was murdered. I believe some form of narcotic was introduced into the unopened bottle of whisky…’
    â€˜It clearly has not occurred to you that if a bottle is unopened, nothing can have been introduced into it.’
    â€˜When I said unopened, señor, I meant it appeared to be, but wasn’t. How much effort did Señor Lewis have to use in order to unscrew the cap? If he had to use a degree of force…’
    â€˜Did he?’
    â€˜I cannot determine that fact.’
    â€˜Are there any facts you have determined?’
    â€˜When the three woke up on the boat…’
    â€˜What three, what boat?’
    â€˜Lewis and Sheard met two young women in the port and after a few drinks went for a trip in the boat Lewis had chartered. They anchored off the Hotel Parelona, emptied one bottle of whisky, opened another and had a drink before they began to have fun…’
    â€˜What do you mean by that expression?’
    â€˜Well, they started fondling each other and undressing…’
    â€˜Are you quite incapable of investigating a case without introducing sex into it?’
    â€˜I am only reporting what happened, señor.’
    â€˜Using the word “fun” makes it very obvious that you do so without the sense of distaste I expect from my officers.’
    â€˜I am sorry, señor. They were indulging in amorous foreplay…’
    â€˜Are you trying to be obscenely humorous?’
    â€˜No, señor. That is what it is sometimes called.’
    â€˜By those of a like mind to you.’
    â€˜Then they fell asleep. It seems so unusual a moment to fall asleep in view of the…’
    â€˜Restrain your urge to wallow in unnecessary and unsavoury details.’
    Alvarez briefly detailed the facts.
    â€˜You have no reason to suspect involvement in the drug trade other than the Englishman’s sudden accession of wealth?’
    â€˜That and the nature of his disappearance.’
    â€˜As to the latter, would it not be reasonable to suppose he was so drunk that he fell over the side and drowned?’
    â€˜The evidence is that he wasn’t drunk.’
    â€˜Evidence given by his companions who would have been as drunk as he.’
    â€˜Señorita Glass says she had had very little.’
    â€˜Women are recognized to have an infinite capacity for self-delusion.’
    â€˜But even if he was tight, he was a very strong swimmer.’
    â€˜A man can be so intoxicated that he becomes incapable of doing something which he does easily and well when sober.’
    â€˜If he were too drunk even to remember how to swim, could he have walked out of the saloon on to the deck and across to the stern? Would he have bothered to in order to urinate?’
    â€˜I am glad to say it is not a question I can answer. Have you traced the source of the money?’
    â€˜Not yet.’
    â€˜Why not?’
    â€˜The banks are checking, but they say it’ll take time.’
    â€˜Can you name anything on this island that does not take twice as long as is reasonable?’ He rang off.
    Alvarez replaced the receiver. If only Salas had remained at the conference until at least some of the