Read Bury in Haste for Free Online Page B

across his face.
    ‘That may well be it,’ the Doctor put in, ‘hot tea, especially with plenty of sugar, will disguise quite a strong flavour.’
    Deepbriar nodded, still watching Spraggs. ‘Would that be normal, your boss leaving tea for you?’
    ‘No, not really, but I didn’t think much about it. I mean, the office wasn’t locked either, but he forgets sometimes.’
    ‘You locked it then, did you?’
    ‘No, not much point. I’d be putting the cup back, wouldn’t I. Only …’ he faltered. ‘I don’t remember doing it.’
    ‘You remember drinking the tea though,’ Deepbriar prompted. ‘What happened next?’
    ‘Blowed if I know.’ Spraggs rubbed a hand round the back of his neck. ‘Did I have an accident?’
    ‘I’m not sure,’ Deepbriar confessed, ‘but I don’t think so.’
    ‘This is rum.’ The young man lifted his head and stared out of the window. Bright sun slanted across the village green, lighting up the red and gold of the fallen leaves. ‘What’s the time?’ he asked.
    ‘A quarter past three,’ the doctor told him, ‘on Sunday afternoon.’
    ‘You’re kidding!’ Joe leapt to his feet. ‘My Emily will be worried sick!’
    ‘No, she won’t,’ Deepbriar said, putting a restraining hand on his shoulder. ‘I’ve seen her, and told her you’re here. She’ll be along in a while and the pair of you can go home. Just you sit yourself down. Let’s get back to when you finished work. You didn’t see anything when you drove into the yard? Or along the road?’
    ‘Like what?’
    ‘Another lorry maybe, or a car?’
    Joe shook his head. ‘It’s always quiet, Saturday teatime. Didn’t see a soul.’
    ‘All right. What about when you first came to?’ Deepbriar consulted his notes. ‘You said … “I thought I was dead. Until the man came back.” What was that all about?’
    Joe gave him a guarded look. ‘I’m not sure. Maybe it was just a dream. My head’s in a proper muddle. I don’t understand half of this. Can’t I go now?’
    ‘In a minute. Fact is, Joe, you disappeared. At half past ten this morning I searched all over Wriggle’s yard and you weren’t there, but when I got back for another look just after one o’clock I found you lying unconscious in your cab. If there’s anything else you can tell me, no matter what, it could help us find out what has been going on.’
    Joe stared at him. ‘I disappeared? That’s crazy.’
    ‘Maybe, but that’s how it was. Perhaps there’s some simple reason for what happened. You’re back safe and sound, so maybe the hows and whys don’t matter.’ The constable watched as Joe considered what he’d said. ‘If I was you I’d want to know,’ he went on, ‘and I’ll do my best to help, if that’s what you want.’
    Slowly the young man nodded.
    ‘Right,’ Deepbriar said. ‘The man you mentioned. Tell me what you remember.’
    Spraggs was silent a moment, gathering his thoughts. ‘I was lying on the ground. It was dark. And bitter cold; I mean, it’s been cold for days, but this was worse somehow, right into my bones. I felt sort of funny, my arms and legs were all weak, like I’d been ill or something. After a while I managed to sit up and I groped about a bit. Couldn’t see a thing. I tried shouting.’ Joe shuddered. ‘It was like I was buried, deep underground. My voice didn’t sound right.’
    ‘What do you mean, it didn’t sound right?’
    ‘Quiet. Sort of echoing, but muffled. I thought it was because it was so dark, like nothing could get through. I wasn’t exactly wide awake, but I was scared that I’d run out of air.’ The young man shook himself and tried to smile, but without much success. ‘Sounds daft.’
    Deepbriar shook his head. ‘Not at all. Any idea how long you were in this place?’
    ‘No. It seemed like forever. But then I saw light, just a bit of a glow. I wanted to get up and go over to it, but my legs wouldn’t work properly. I suppose that’s when I decided it must be a