Cruel Minds by Malcolm Richards Page A

a minute, let’s not go accusing anybody of anything just yet,” Janelle said. She stood at the back of the room, arms wrapped around her chest.
    “Not accuse anybody of anything?” Ben said. “Are we all just imagining that empty cupboard over there? I handed nearly a grand’s worth of equipment over to these jokers and now it’s gone. Who’s going to compensate me for that?”
    “You’ll be compensated,” Pamela said. Emily could hear the strain in her voice. “Marcia, please tell me you still have the Land Rover keys?”
    “I left them in the living room,” she replied. “I’ll go check they’re still there.”
    “Please.”
    Pushing her way out of the cramped room, Marcia darted into the foyer and headed towards the Hardys’ living quarters. With one less body sucking up the air in the office, Emily found it a little easier to breathe. She thought about her items that had been stolen. She didn’t care about the phone; no one called her anyway. The wristwatch could also be replaced. But without the car keys, she and Jerome would have a hard time getting back to London.
    While they waited for Marcia to return, Pamela addressed the group. “I’m not sure what’s going on here, but it seems our only option is to take the Land Rover and drive down to Lyndhurst. The rest of us will just have to wait until help arrives.”
    “I’m not staying here like a prisoner,” Sylvia muttered.
    “I’m afraid we don’t have much choice,” Pamela said. “Marcia will take the Land Rover. She will drive to Lyndhurst. There’s a police station there. Sergeant Wells will take care of everything.”
    As she finished speaking, Marcia hurried back into the room. The keys to the Land Rover jangled in her hand. “I found them.”
    The relief in Pamela’s voice was undeniable. “Right, as this office is now a crime scene, I suggest the rest of us vacate it as quickly as possible. We should all return to our rooms and wait for Marcia to come back with the police. Sam, perhaps you wouldn’t mind making something to eat for about an hour’s time?”
    “Sure,” Sam grunted. He moved through the group until he stood beside Marcia.
    “Perfect. I’ll sound the bell when it’s ready.”
    “We should organise a search party,” Ben said. “If someone here’s done this then there’s a good chance they’ve stashed everything somewhere inside the house.”
    “The only people who will be searching my house are Sergeant Wells and his constable.” Pamela moved up to the door and held it open. “Shall we?”
    Ben was first in line with Sylvia inches behind.
    “This is disgusting treatment,” he said to Pamela. “I don’t like being told what to do like I’m some little boy.”
    Behind him, Sam’s voice came low and threatening. “No one’s telling you to do anything, my friend. All Pamela’s done is make a polite suggestion.
    Ben whirled around. “Oh, I’m not your friend, and I’ll do as I please. This place is a fucking joke, and I’ll make sure everyone knows about it.”
    His eyes shifted towards Daniel. Then, with Sylvia hanging off his arm, he strode through the doorway and headed for the stairs. The group remained silent and still, the shock of Oscar’s death and now the robbery hanging heavy in the air. Then, one by one, they made their way back to their rooms. As she reached the stairs, Emily turned to see Pamela lock the office door. Sam and Marcia shared a lingering look, then Marcia went out into the garden with her mother.
    Emily reached the top of the stairs in time to see Helen disappear into her room. Jerome was standing with Melody, Janelle, and Daniel.
    “You look pretty beat up,” he said to Daniel. “You want some ice for that?”
    “I’ll live.” He winced as he ran fingers over his bruised jaw. “I guess some people just can’t help being assholes no matter how bad the situation.”
    The sound of raised voices and stomping feet came from Room Four. Sylvia appeared in the