[Inspector de Silva 09] - High Wire in Nuala

by Harriet Steel

  De Silva glanced at the office building. The fire was rapidly taking hold. Even standing at the distance they were, the heat was hard to bear. From the barn where the horses were stabled, he heard terrified neighing. They were probably smelling the smoke. He didn’t think there was much hope of saving the barn itself, but the horses needed to be got out before the fire spread.

  Boris groaned as they laid him on the grass. It was a wonder they had been in time to save him. Fortunately his clothes, stinking of smoke as they were, had not caught fire. His guardian angel must have been watching over him, thought de Silva. He remembered the empty vodka bottles he had found at Boris’s tent and the argument between him and Nadia he had overheard. He strongly suspected now that Kumar had put them there, paving the way for the story that a drunken Boris, grieving for his brother, had accidentally set light to the room where Alexei had been found hanged. He shuddered, thinking of the terrible end the snake charmer might have planned for his boss.

  Boris’s eyelids flickered, and briefly his eyes opened, the whites startling in his soot-blackened face. Feebly, he lifted a hand, and de Silva winced to see how badly blistered the skin was. Perhaps he had tried to crawl to safety, only to find the door locked.

  ‘I’ll look after him now,’ he said. ‘Hurry and send some people down here to help. We must get the horses out of the barn and try to contain the fire. Prasanna, once you’ve organised that, take Gordo and a couple of men and look for Kumar. When you find him, arrest him.’

  ‘Shall I send someone to fetch the fire truck?’ asked Prasanna.

  ‘Good idea, but I hope someone will spot the blaze from town and send it up anyway.’

  As Prasanna and Gordo hurried off, he propped Boris up with one arm and held to his cracked lips the cup of water that Gordo had brought. ‘Try to drink a little of this,’ he said.

  Boris did so, but the fit of retching and coughing that ensued took a few moments to subside. ‘The horses,’ he croaked at last. ‘Get the horses out.’

  ‘Don’t worry, I have people coming to deal with that. Can you tell me what happened?’

  ‘Kumar…’ Hoarsely, Boris forced the word out, but then another coughing fit robbed him of what little voice he had. Clearly, it was too soon to get him to talk.

  ‘We’ll catch him. Don’t you worry,’ he said soothingly. ‘Save your voice now. You can tell me everything later.’

  **

  It wasn’t long before a group of men from the circus arrived. Some of them led the terrified horses to safety and calmed them, while others removed all the combustible items that could be moved from the open barn between the office building and the main barn. Everything they had to leave behind was then liberally doused with water. It was fortunate, thought de Silva, that many years ago someone had decided to dig a well, so that the racecourse always had a good supply of water. It was too late for the office building, but the other two had a good chance of survival.

  By the time Prasanna and Gordo returned with the handcuffed but struggling Kumar, Boris had recovered sufficiently to be able to sit up.

  Kumar’s face was a mask of fury. ‘Why have I been arrested?’ he snarled. ‘I demand to be released immediately. I need to go to the horses and calm them.’

  De Silva raised an eyebrow. ‘The horses are being cared for, and I believe you know why you’ve been arrested.’

  ‘If you think I had anything to do with this fire, you’re crazy.’ Kumar twisted in Prasanna’s and Gordo’s grip and lashed out with one foot, catching Gordo on the shin.

  ‘Try that again, and I make sure you are lame for life,’ growled the clown.

  Kumar spat on the floor, and de Silva scowled. ‘Take him to that gate over there. Gag him if you have to and shackle him to its bars. I’ll drive back to town with Boris and leave him with Doctor Hebden. I also want to contact Inspector Singh and tell him that I think we have one of his villains, but once I’ve done that, I’ll be back.’ He turned to Prasanna. ‘I’m leaving you in charge. Don’t take any risks but keep on damping down the barns and their contents if you can.’

  ‘Yes, sir.’

  He helped Boris into the car and headed back to town. On the way, they passed the fire truck heading at speed for the racecourse, its bell clanging. Either the message had got there, or as he had hoped, the blaze had been spotted from town. That was good. With the firemen to take charge, there was a better chance that the remaining buildings would survive.

  Calling first at the Hebdens’ house, he left Boris in David Hebden’s care and asked Emerald to telephone Jane to reassure her that he was safe. After that, he drove on to the station and telephoned Inspector Singh. The conversation lasted for several minutes then, satisfied that he could do no more in that direction, de Silva decided to return to the racecourse to supervise Kumar’s transfer to the police station. He was halfway to the Morris when he realised that he had not reported events to Archie. Hurriedly, he went back inside and placed a call to the Residence. Fortunately, Archie had finished dinner and de Silva’s report was well-received.

  **

  Much later that evening, he was at last able to telephone Jane.

  ‘I’m so glad Emerald called me, or I would have been worried. How is Boris?’

  ‘I’ve only had a brief word with Hebden since I left Boris with him, but he was fairly confident that it wouldn’t take him too long to recover from the effects of the smoke he inhaled, although the burns will take longer to heal. From his account of what he remembers, we think Kumar must have hit him on the head then locked him in the back office, but again, Hebden doesn’t think there will be any lasting damage.’

  ‘Thank goodness. What a lucky escape he’s had.’

  ‘He certainly has.’

  ‘Is the fire put out?’

  ‘Yes. The circus people did a good job of saving the horses and stopping it from spreading. When the fire truck arrived, the firemen did the rest, although all that’s left of the office building is a blackened ruin. The Royal Nuala Jockey Club won’t be pleased, but the important thing is that no lives were lost.’

  ‘Emerald said Kumar has been arrested.’

  ‘Yes, I have him in custody here. I’ll stay tonight and keep an eye on him. Singh came up from Hatton earlier. He and his men, along with Prasanna and Nadar, raided the house that Kumar collected the jewellery from and made a number of arrests. I wanted to get on with that straight away in case the occupants got wind there was something up and made a run for it. Singh took them down to Hatton. I expect they’ll soon be transferred to Kandy or Colombo for further questioning, as will Kumar. There are also details of the investigation to be completed, for example how he managed to tamper with the high wire without being spotted. I assume it was when the tent was deserted at lunchtime on the Saturday, but I expect Kandy will want everything thoroughly investigated.’

  ‘Do you think they’ll be able to prove that the people from the house are part of the Black Lotus gang?’

  ‘I’d like to think so, but we mustn’t get ahead of ourselves. Anyway, that will be someone else’s job.’

  ‘What an evil man Kumar is.’

  ‘Indeed.’

  ‘Those poor horses – they might have died horribly, and so might poor Boris Goncharov.’

  ‘Unless Kumar intended to return and save them. But I imagine his plan was to leave it until it was too late to rescue Boris from the office building, by which time the barn might very well have been ablaze.’

  ‘If no one stays in Nuala to be questioned, it may mean the case is taken away from you.’

  ‘It almost certainly will be.’

  ‘Do you mind?’

  ‘Not really. We’ll have gathered all the evidence we are likely to find about the murders so, although those were the worst of Kumar’s crimes, the immediate focus will change to the jewel thefts and who else was involved. To be fair, none of the thefts occurred in Nuala. That doesn’t lessen the credit we can take for catching a double murderer and for saving hi
s next victim, Boris. And obviously, I will have to give evidence at Kumar’s trial, which is likely to take place in Colombo.’

  ‘You’re being very reasonable about it, dear.’

  He laughed. ‘I’m a very reasonable man.’

  Chapter 17

  The congregation for Alexei’s and Tatiana’s funeral filled the church. Not only did all the circus folk attend, but there were also quite a few local people.

  ‘I’m glad Archie and Florence came to pay their respects,’ whispered Jane to de Silva. ‘The Hebdens are here too.’

  He and Jane had wondered what form the service would take. The funeral of two Russian Orthodox Christians in an Anglican church was an unusual event to say the least. However, Reverend Peters had managed successfully to adapt the official line, and the service was a beautiful one.

  Doctor Hebden had advised against Boris attending, but he had refused point blank to stay away. Heavily bandaged, he made his way to his pew supported by two of the sturdiest circus hands.

  Standing in for him, Gordo had spoken the eulogy, and as a tribute on behalf of the town, Archie gave the reading from the Bible. Listening to his gravelly tones, de Silva thought how well he rose to the occasion, his voice bringing out the majesty of the text.

  After the final hymn, everyone filed out into the churchyard for the burial. The plots that had been chosen were in a peaceful spot under a tree in one corner. Now that it was clear that Alexei was a murder victim rather than having committed suicide, the religious objection no longer applied. With the sun warming his back as he stood with head bowed amongst the other mourners, de Silva hoped that Alexei’s and Tatiana’s souls would rest in peace.

  ‘Boris asked Emerald if she would visit the graves sometimes,’ said Jane as, with the burial service concluded, people began to move away. ‘It may be a long time, if ever, before he returns to Nuala. I’ve said I’ll help her. It would be nice to bring flowers.’

  ‘That would be kind.’

  Still needing support, Boris stood to one side of the path, accepting condolences as people paused to speak with him. De Silva admired his stoicism. Very likely, he remained in considerable pain.

  Nadia stood to his right and Izabella Rabach to his left. ‘She doesn’t seem at all ferocious today,’ whispered Jane after she and de Silva had offered their sympathies and moved on.

  ‘Yes, she was surprisingly gracious.’

  ‘Perhaps the tragedy has brought out a gentler side to her nature. Let’s hope it lasts. Boris will need kindness.’

  Outside the lychgate, the Hebdens fell into step with them. ‘Goodness, I shall be glad to get out of this dress when we get home,’ said Emerald. ‘I had to wear it because it’s the only black one I have.’

  ‘But, Emerald, you never put on—’ Jane stopped, her eyes widening.

  Emerald giggled. ‘Yes, I’m expecting a baby.’

  ‘Oh, that’s lovely news. I’m so happy for you both. When is it due?’

  ‘Not until March. You’re the first people we’ve told.’

  ‘We’re honoured,’ said de Silva with a smile. ‘Congratulations.’

  They walked over to where their cars were parked. Solicitously, Hebden opened the passenger door and helped Emerald into her seat. She gave him a mischievous smile. ‘I’m not an invalid, you know.’

  ‘I know, but can’t I make a fuss of my wife?’

  ‘Of course you can.’

  Jane smiled as the couple drove away. ‘I’m so pleased for them.’

  How life changed, thought de Silva. David Hebden had been such a stiff, formal man when he had first come into contact with him. Now he was happily married and soon to be a father.

  The last stragglers from the congregation were getting into cars and circus trucks or walking away down the church path that led to town. De Silva saw Reverend Peters coming from the direction of the church porch, his black cassock billowing in the gentle breeze that had got up. He was glad he had got to know him a little better; Peters was a good, kind man. The funeral he had devised in the face of an unusual situation had been a moving one. According to Jane, it must have taken considerably more time and trouble than he usually expended on his services. To de Silva, it was proof that if anything had the power to unite different religions, it was kindness.

  ‘You’re looking pensive, dear,’ said Jane. ‘What are you thinking about?’

  ‘Kindness, and how important it is.’

  ‘It was certainly kind of Reverend Peters to take so much trouble over the service. I’m sure it was appreciated. Oh look, he’s coming this way. Perhaps we should wait and congratulate him.’

  ‘That’s an excellent idea,’ said de Silva, rubbing his hands.

  ‘You seem particularly enthusiastic.’ Jane looked at him with curiosity.

  He chuckled. ‘Last time he and I met, we talked about gardens, and he offered to show me the orchid house at the vicarage. I was in a hurry to leave, so I didn’t take up the offer, but with luck, he’ll extend the invitation again, and now I have time to accept it. It sounds like he has some interesting specimens.’

  Jane tucked her arm into his and smiled. ‘If necessary, I shall drop hints to make sure he does ask you. After everything that’s happened, I think you deserve a treat.’

  ‘It was all in the line of duty, my love. But thank you.’

  A big thank you for reading this book, I hope you enjoyed it. Like most writers, I value feedback for the insights it provides as well as the fact it helps to drive sales in an increasingly competitive market. If you have a few moments to leave a short review (honest of course), I’d be very grateful. I love to hear from readers, so do visit my website or my blog and leave your comments. You can also sign up from my blog to receive my monthly email newsletter which gives news of promotions, events, and new releases.

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  Other books by Harriet Steel

  The Inspector de Silva Mysteries #1

  Trouble in Nuala

  When Inspector Shanti de Silva moves with his English wife, Jane, to a new post in the sleepy hill town of Nuala, he anticipates a more restful life than police work in the big city entails. However, an arrogant plantation owner with a lonely wife, a crusading lawyer, and a death in suspicious circumstances present him with a riddle that he will need all his experience to solve.

  Set on the exotic island of Ceylon in the 1930s, Trouble in Nuala is an entertaining and relaxing mystery spiced with humour and a colourful cast of characters.

  The Inspector de Silva Mysteries #2

  Dark Clouds Over Nuala

  In this second book in the series, the arrival in the hill town of Nuala of the heir to an English earldom signals more trouble for the hapless Inspector de Silva and a new mystery to solve. Throw in a mega-rich Romanian count, his glamorous countess and an enigmatic British army officer and the scene is set for another entertaining mystery.

  The Inspector de Silva Mysteries #3

  Offstage in Nuala

  Inspector de Silva is caught up in the excitement when a professional theatre company comes to Nuala, but matters take a dark turn when the company’s actor manager is murdered. Our inspector has a new case to solve, and he must consider some very unpalatable motives for the crime. He will need all his persistence, coupled with his wife, Jane’s, invaluable help to unmask the villain of the piece.

  Set on the exotic island of Ceylon in the 1930s, The Inspector de Silva Mysteries provide a colourful and relaxing read spiced with humour and an engaging cast of characters.

  The Inspector de Silva Mysteries #4

  Fatal Finds in Nuala

  In this fourth instalment of the Inspector de Silva mysteries, it is monsoon season in the Hill Country. One stormy night, a ghostly encounter on a lonely road leads de Silva into a case of murder, and a mystery that stretches back to Ceylon’s distant p
ast. To uncover the truth, he will have to face death and his inner demons.

  Fatal Finds in Nuala is another absorbing and colourful mystery in this series that vividly portrays Sri Lanka’s Colonial past.

  The Inspector de Silva Mysteries #5

  Christmas in Nuala

  The little town of Nuala is full of Christmas good cheer, until a brutal murder overshadows the festivities. The mystery he needs to solve baffles Inspector de Silva. It’s just as well he has his wife Jane to support him in his race both to unmask the villain and save an endangered romance. This colourful series set in Ceylon in the 1930s is perfect for fans of Golden Age mysteries, and Christmas in Nuala makes a great short read for the holiday season.

  The Inspector de Silva Mysteries #6

  Passage from Nuala

  Inspector de Silva and Jane embark on a cruise to Egypt to visit the pyramids, excited at the prospect of two weeks of sun, sea, and relaxation. With Nuala, and de Silva’s duties as a police officer, far behind them, what can possibly spoil their plans? Then a writer is found dead in his cabin, suffocated by newspaper thrust down his throat. Once again, de Silva must swing into action.

  The Inspector de Silva Mysteries #7

  Rough Time in Nuala

  Inspector de Silva’s peaceful evening is disrupted when he is called up to the Royal Nuala Golf Club where a wealthy member has been found brutally murdered. Is this a bungled robbery, a private feud, or does the killer have another motive that will cause them to strike again?