Scorpion [Scorpions 01] by Michael R. Linaker

sit down and relax.’
        She guided him to a big, soft armchair and Allan sank gratefully into the sensual embrace of the cushions, stretching his long legs. He watched Chris leave the room, noticing that she was wearing a clinging, one-piece suit in some soft material. It was a rich golden-yellow shade that complemented her mass of shining dark hair. He allowed himself the luxury of total relaxation, forcing the day’s events completely from his mind. They would still be around in the morning - and with his luck they’d most probably double tomorrow.
        ‘Allan!’
        The soft voice reached him from a long way off. He opened his eyes, blinking away the heaviness. Chris was leaning over the arm of the chair, grinning down at him.
        ‘Come on, sleepy, food’s on the table.’
        It was starting to get dark by the time they finished the meal. Chris served coffee and taking their cups with them they crossed to the armchairs. Chris switched on a low lamp, then drew the curtains across the darkening windows.
        ‘It’s a nice place,’ Allan said.
        ‘I like it.’
        ‘How long have you lived here?’
        ‘All my life,’ she said, sitting down opposite him. She smiled at his expression. ‘In my mind I have lived here all my life. This has been my dream house ever since I can remember. It only became reality three years ago.’
        Allan drank his coffee and leaned back in his armchair. He felt very envious of Chris and her secure, comfortable home. He was surprised at his feelings; envy was not a weakness he gave in to.
        ‘Can I show you the paper?’ Chris asked some time later.
        She handed Allan a copy of the Long Point News. The feature was on the front page. Allan gave a low groan.
        ‘My God, Camperly’s going to bury me over this!’ He scanned the columns. ‘Did I say that? I suppose I must have done.’
        The article explained how Doctor Allan Brady of the Tropical Diseases Research Unit had established the identity of the mysterious creatures responsible for a number of deaths in the area. The creatures in question, it turned out, were scorpions. There was a little more, most of it pure speculation on the part of the reporter. To drive in the nails even deeper the paper had printed a large black headline over the article: SCORPIONS AT LARGE!
        ‘Was it a scorpion that stung Les?’ Chris asked.
        Tm pretty certain it was.’
        ‘How did you find out? From someone who was stung?’
        Allan nodded. ‘A workman who’d been up on the coast road got himself stung on the arm. He was able to describe in detail what had stung him. And so were a number of his workmates.’
        ‘But, Allan, scorpions aren’t native to this country. All right - I’ll accept one, maybe two. But the way things have been happening it reads as though there are lots of them. That couldn’t be true, could it?’
        ‘I’m not sure. You see, there is a quite large colony of scorpions in this area.’
        Chris stared at him in disbelief. ‘Where?’ she asked.
        ‘About three miles along the coast is that abandoned dock complex. It’s been closed down for over ten years. There are dozens of scorpions living there. They’ve been there for fifty-odd years. Originally they must have come ashore from some cargo boat - maybe only one or two, perhaps only a female who laid her eggs. But the scorpions survived and established themselves. Over the years they multiplied and adapted to their new environment. The scorpions who nest in the docks are small and completely harmless as far as we know. Over the years they lost the use of their stings.’
        ‘Until now, that is,’ Chris said. ‘Do you think something has happened? That these harmless scorpions aren’t harmless any longer?’
        ‘Right now, I’m ready to believe anything.’ Allan tried to hold back a powerful yawn