Read Online Scorpion [Scorpions 01] by Michael R. Linaker - Free Book Online

through lunch - yet it still caught him off guard.
        ‘In simple terms he died from blood-poisoning, brought on by the toxic venom introduced into his system by whatever stung him.’
        ‘But what?’ Chris asked.
        ‘We don’t know. I was unable to pinpoint the venom.’
        Chris studied him for a time. ‘Is there more?’
        Allan didn’t hesitate. He decided that if anyone had a right to know what he thought it was Chris.
        ‘There have been two more deaths since Les Mason’s. Both over the weekend, in the same general area where Les Mason was stung.’
        ‘You mean people being stung, and dying as a result?’
        ‘In one case, yes. The second death was as a result of a high-speed car crash - but I’m certain in my own mind that before the accident the victim had been stung.’
        Allan described the details concerning the deaths of Jack Lippman and Fran Collingwood. He also told Chris of his clash with Camperly and the playing down of the mystery surrounding the cause of the fatalities.
        ‘The question is what stung the victims? In the beginning I considered some kind of snake, but that has been ruled out now. The wounds are suggestive of an insect, and in this country that brings us back to bees, wasps or hornets.’
        ‘Could it be a new species?’ Chris asked. ‘One that has adapted itself to the changing environment? I’ve studied this subject a little since my involvement with the protest group - some animals have been forced to change, adopt new lifestyles simply because of the way we’ve been treating the world around us.’
        She stopped suddenly, a self-conscious smile appearing on her face.
        ‘There I go - up on my soapbox!’
        ‘Don’t stop on my account,’ Allan said. ‘I’m all for keeping nature the way it is. If it isn’t already too late.’
        He glanced at his watch. ‘Well, if I don’t get back I’ll be forced to change my lifestyle - to being out of a job!’
        As Allan drove back to the hospital Chris asked: ‘Do you think there could be more of these fatal stingings?’
        ‘It’s hard to tell. I hope there aren’t - but until we know what’s causing them we can’t do anything to stop them.’
        ‘But if your Doctor Camperly has ordered you to leave the matter alone what can you do?’
        ‘As well as being extremely curious I’m also very stubborn.’
        ‘Allan, please let me help if I can.’
        He smiled at her. ‘I will.’
        He eased the Capri into the hospital car park and they got out.
        ‘Thanks for the lunch, Allan. I really enjoyed it. And the company.’
        ‘I’m glad.’ Allan ran his fingers through his dark hair. ‘I don’t want to push so soon after Les Mason’s death, but maybe we could do it again?’
        Chris’s smile was instantaneous and genuine. ‘I’d love to. Give me a call whenever you’re free. My number’s in the book.’
        
***
        
        Chris drove back through Long Point to her small cottage. She parked in the drive and went inside.
        For some odd reason she felt restless. She made herself a cup of coffee. She decided that her mood had been generated by her talk with Allan about Les Mason. She felt angry - angry at the way Les had had to die in such a wasteful way when he’d had so much to do with his life. She sat down and started to read through the manuscript she’d been studying the night before. The script had been in Les’s car, and noticing the heading Chris had brought it home to read. It was the rough draft for an article Les had been preparing - an in-depth investigation of the problems of nuclear energy. Les had often talked about the article; it had been his pet project. As she read through the draft Chris saw that he had put a great deal of effort into the research. From what she could see the article was pretty close