One by One - Ruth Ware Page 0,58
cold. It’s salad—I know that’s not the most appropriate, but without electricity Danny is very limited on what he can cook, and we need to finish up the fresh vegetables, now that the fridge is off.”
There’s a mild grumble from Topher, but Miranda glares at him, and everyone else nods. We know we are not in a position to complain.
“But… the real reason we asked you all here—” Erin stops. She looks a little bit sick. Like she is working herself up to say something she really doesn’t want to say. Suddenly, I do not want to hear what she is about to say. “Danny and I, we…”
She looks over her shoulder at Danny. He gives her a look back. I am not sure if it is encouragement or impatience, but it seems to spur Erin on.
“We have some concerns,” she finishes, in a rush, “about the manner of Elliot’s death. We’re pretty sure that he—that he was poisoned.”
Little gasps come from all around the room. It is what they have all been thinking, but there is something horrifying about hearing the words spoken aloud.
“There are traces of crushed pills in his coffee,” Erin says, “and while he may have taken an overdose deliberately, the sabotaged computer makes it at least possible—”
Danny mutters something. His voice is too low for me to hear, but Erin sighs. She tightens her fists at her sides.
“Maybe even probable, that Elliot was murdered. And that leads backwards to the possibility that Eva was killed too, and Elliot was murdered because of what he knew.”
There is another ripple of reaction around the room, but it is not really surprise. She is only voicing what most people here had already begun to suspect. It is more like a kind of horror: these are no longer paranoid fears, but a potential reality.
“Danny and I debated this announcement long and hard,” Erin continues, “because ultimately it’s only speculation—we have no proof of any of this. It’s still possible that Eva’s death was an accident and Elliot’s was suicide or an accidental overdose. However, the fact remains that two deaths have occurred and that is… well, concerning doesn’t really cover it. So even while we hope this is overk—”
She stops. I realize that the word she was going to use was overkill but that she has thought better of it.
“Even while we hope this is overly cautious,” she rephrases, “we would still urge everyone here to take precautions. If you know something that may endanger you, come and tell me and Danny as quickly as possible. Stay in pairs or groups at all times. That includes sleeping. Prepare your own drinks and don’t leave them lying around. Only accept food from Danny or me. There’s no need to be paranoid but—”
Carl breaks in. His short laugh sounds like the bark of a dog.
“No need to be paranoid? Are you having a giraffe?”
“I realize this is all—” Erin begins, but he cuts her off again.
“You’re telling us there’s a homicidal fucking maniac running around and the answer is to make our own coffee?”
“I’m not telling you anything of the kind,” Erin says. Her voice is very level. “I am simply stating the facts of what’s happened. Whether you concur with my conclusions and follow my advice is up to you.”
“This is a fucking shitshow,” Carl says angrily. “And I should sue the arse off you. Thousands of pounds to stay in a tin-pot little shithole with a psycho on—”
“Oi,” Danny breaks in. He steps forward so he is close to Carl’s face. “That’s enough of that, mate. Erin and me are not responsible if you brought some psychotic fucker with you from the airport.”
“Are you accusing Snoop employees of this?” Carl is practically shouting now. He and Danny are squaring up. “Because that, mate, is slander, and I’ll see you in court.”
“I’m not accusing Snoop employees of anything,” Danny snarls, “I’m saying that we’ve hosted a hundred fucking holidays and it wasn’t until you lot turned up—”
“Hey,” Erin steps forward. She is speaking to both of them, but it is Danny’s arm she takes. She shakes it gently. “Hey. This isn’t helping.”
“Carl,” Tiger puts her hand on Carl’s shoulder. “Come on, Erin’s right. It’s completely understandable that you’re angry, but you need to channel that energy into a more positive place. Erin and Danny aren’t at fault here. They’re trying to help. C’mon. Deep breaths.”
Carl is still muttering as he stalks to the other side of the room. He slumps