by Edward Figg
They got her to her feet just as Taylor, Baxter and Reid came hurrying out onto the rain-soaked deck
‘Holy shit. What the hell’s happened to you two?’ said Ted Baxter, looking first at Kirby, then at the blood on Carter’s shirt.
‘Harris is dead. That’s all you want to know for the moment. I’ll tell you later. First, let’s get Marcia out of this weather and organise her some first aid,’ said Carter, gently rubbing at his shoulder.
‘What about you?’ said Baxter.
‘Bit of a run-in with a scalpel. Nothing too serious. I’ll be fine. Look for it, will you? It’s evidence. Should be over there somewhere,’ he said, pointing.
‘We should be docking in about fifteen minutes,’ said Taylor. ‘I’ll call the Service D'aide Medicale Urgente,’ he said, pronouncing its French name. ‘The French paramedics will fix you up.’
******
When the paramedics had gone, and with all the passengers disembarked, they sat around the table in the bar listening as Kirby and Carter related their stories. Because of the weather, which now had developed into a storm with winds blowing at force seven to ten, they were told, much to Penrose’s delight, that the ferry’s return trip had been cancelled. Carter and Kirby had been given dry clothes and, having no passports, they were told to stay onboard and were not allowed to go ashore. On orders from the captain, they’d been given overnight accommodation in the crew’s quarters.
‘All in all, it’s been quite a day,’ said Reid. ‘I for one won’t be sorry to get back to Kingsport. The last thing I thought we’d be doing today would be a day trip to France.’
‘Penrose,’ said Carter. ‘If you ever feel like swopping the seaside for the countryside, I’m sure I could find you a slot.’
He smiled. ‘I think I might like that sir,’ he said, looking over at Kirby.
Just then Carter’s mobile buzzed. He looked at the number. It was Superintendent Watkins. He got up, and walked away from the table.
‘Bob! What the heck is going on down there? I’ve received a bill from P&O for six one-day return tickets to Calais!’
‘Ah, yes. Well! I can explain that…’