Sowing Poison by Janet Kellough Read Free Book Online

her as he went back in to collect his coat. “There’s one roof gone just from what I can see from the back door. I’d better go and see if I can help anywhere.”
    She nodded. “Yes, go. I’m much better. Just get me a cup of tea first, will you? And don’t fall and break anything, all right?”
    Lewis’s years on the road had been spent on horseback, not on foot, and he possessed no walking stick. He rummaged in the shed until he found a stout branch that had not yet been cut for kindling. It was about the right height, and he pounded three long nails at an angle through one end, so that the points protruded. This would give him a little extra purchase on the icy surface.
    As he stepped out the back door, he saw Mr. Donovan creeping gingerly to the front of his own house. He, too, had to come through his woodshed, but had the presence of mind to bring a heavy mallet with him.
    â€œThe roof’s fallen on my boy,” he said in response to Lewis’s hail. “I’m just going for the doctor now. I don’t think there’s anything more to be done inside until the doctor comes, but would you see if you can get the front door open?” Lewis nodded and, with the aid of his homemade ice pick, slithered across the road and took the hammer from the man.
    â€œHere, take this,” he said and he handed Donovan the stick in exchange. “You’ll go faster.”
    It took ten minutes of beating at the Donovan’s door to loosen it, for the ice came away in bits and pieces instead of falling to the ground in a sheet. When he had finally cleared it enough to open it, he poked his head inside and called. Mrs. Donovan appeared at the top of the stairs.
    â€œIs there anything else I can do for you?” Lewis asked.
    â€œNo, we just need the doctor. The boy has come to now, but he got an awful blow to the head. He was insensible for a terrible long time. I tell you, I thought he was dead when I first found him. I just hope he’s not addled as a result.”
    â€œI hope so, too,” Lewis replied. “I’m just going to free my own door now, and then I’ll be at the hotel if you need anything before your husband returns. Just yell across the street. I’ll tell my granddaughter to listen for you.”
    He set to work to open his own door with the borrowed mallet, and by the time he finished, Mr. Donovan had returned with the doctor. Lewis returned the mallet and retrieved his makeshift ice pick.
    The yard between his house and the back of the hotel was littered with icy branches and he judged that it was safer to make his way along the side of the street to the front door. Even so, the walking was treacherous, and the distance he had to travel was twice as long as it should have been. He had to pick his way around several large branches that partially blocked the road, and at the same time he was careful to stay well away from the eaves of the hotel. Every few minutes a long icicle would let go its tenuous hold and come crashing down, smashing on the ground with a shattering explosion.
    Daniel had just finished freeing the hotel’s doors when he arrived.
    â€œHave you ever seen anything like it,” he said in greeting.
    â€œNo, and I pity anyone who was out in it. It’s too early for any kind of news, I suppose.”
    â€œYes, people are only just getting out and about. We’ll just have to pray that no one’s been killed in this. I’m fine, for now. You go on and see what you can do.”
    Lewis made his way up one side of the street and down the other, but it appeared that the rest of Wellington had suffered only minor damage from the ice. Beyond a few torn roofs and smashed windows, all its buildings stood, and the only casualty reported so far was the Donovan boy. It would take many days, however, to clear away the mess.
    By the time Lewis returned to the hotel, the ice was softening underfoot, for in the wake of