Read Online The Mask of Destiny by Richard Newsome - Free Book Online Page B

attack,’ Jarvis said. ‘A drug that was administered by a tiny dart to the neck. From the anonymous information I have received, I am confident that DNA testing of this blowgun will reveal that the person who fired that dart, the killer, is none other than you, young man.’
    Every eye in the room turned to Gerald.
    â€˜But that’s impossible,’ Gerald said. A fine sweat broke out on his forehead. ‘Like I’d try to kill him.’
    â€˜Really?’
    The voice made Gerald cringe.
    Octavia.
    Gerald’s cousins had appeared in the doorway.
    â€˜That’s not what you and the princess told me,’ Octavia said. ‘That was quite a story—about hiring a professional killer to take out the old man.’
    Gerald couldn’t believe what he was hearing. ‘That was just a joke,’ he said. ‘Surely you didn’t believe—’
    A large hand clamped onto Gerald’s shoulder.
    â€˜Gerry,’ Walter said, beaming down at him. ‘The first step in emotional renovation is to admit that your personal blueprint is flawed. There’s no use denying your structural shortcomings if all the evidence points to wood rot in your soul.’
    â€˜Walter,’ Vi said. ‘Surely you don’t think Gerald is capable of murder?’
    The cavalry officer turned to face the penguin. ‘All I’m saying is it’s important that a person capable of murder does not influence your own renovation, my dear.’
    â€˜Bleeding nonsense!’ Eddie was on his feet and advancing on Walter. He exerted all the influence that might be expected from a man dressed as a prima ballerina. His pink tutu brushed against Walter’s leg. ‘I’ve had enough of you and your new-age gibberish.’
    Inspector Jarvis fixed Gerald with a tight stare. ‘Time to come with us, son.’
    Vi choked back a gasp. ‘Not my little soldier,’ she sobbed.
    Walter patted her arm. ‘It’s for the best, Vi,’ he murmured. ‘A greenfields start for your reconstruction.’
    Eddie stepped up and grabbed Walter by the collar, swinging him around. ‘That’s enough!’ the ballerina shouted and threw a wild punch. It missed by a foot.
    Gerald saw Constable Nelson move across the room towards him. This was the only chance he was going to get.
    He dived in close to Ruby and Sam. ‘The kitchen,’ he whispered. ‘In two minutes.’
    Then he grabbed his backpack and bolted for the door.
    Constable Nelson tried to reach Gerald but instead ran into the melee of off-target fisticuffs that was going on between Walter and Eddie. Gerald was halfway to the door, vaulting an armchair to avoid Inspector Jarvis. He wrong-footed Octavia and only had Zebedee to beat. His cousin squared up and blocked the doorway. Gerald didn’t miss a step. At full speed he planted his right hand on top of Zebedee’s head and shoved hard. Gerald’s feet shot up the doorframe and he whirled clear over his cousin’s head and into the passage outside.
    He knew he would have to be quick. He tugged the straps of his backpack to notch it tight and bolted for the stairs. Shouts of ‘stop’ followed him down the stair-well.
    The party in the ballroom was still booming. Gerald dived into the middle of it. He dodged between dancing pirates and milkmaids, vampires and executioners, and made straight for the dumb waiter on the far side of the room. Halfway across the dance floor he charged into a blue-faced Scottish warrior.
    â€˜Professor!’ Gerald shouted above the din. ‘Something’s come up. I have to go.’
    â€˜Go, Gerald?’ the professor shouted back. ‘Where to?’
    â€˜Away. Look, if I ring you, promise me you’ll answer? No matter what you hear about me?’
    McElderry’s eyes darted up and focused on the two police officers who had just barged into the ballroom. Gerald followed his gaze with