[MaC] Back to the Top

[Mel Mason]

>> "I can try, sir.  Mister Coldsmith-Briggs, can you assist me again?" 
>> Hodges hurried towards the lift to see what could be done to prevent 
>> Marty Fitzroy from leaving Mortmain...
>>
>
> "Of course," the Group Commander answered. "Seems like we should've
> just left it before, eh?" he jokes, trying to bleed off some of the
> evening's stress.
>
>
> >> "Well, hang on, now!" Nicola said angrily, hurrying
> >> after Hodges and Michael. "You two aren't going
> >> anywhere without me. I can at least keep a look out to
> >> see if that damn Fitzroy is getting anywere near the
> >> ground floor."
>
>
> "Wouldn't think of it dear," Michael answers. "Hodges, give her your
> rifle. She can guard the ground floor."
>
> Hodges eyed Nicola doubtfully.  "Do you know how to use a firearm, Miss
> Douglas?"
>
> In response, Nicola took the rifle, checked it and
> brandished it. "I've been hunting game on my family's
> estate since I was eight years old," she said. "I
> think I can handle it."
>
> "Do you want to guard the ground floor alone?" James asked Nicola.
>

James and Nicola went together downstairs to the ground floor - catching up 
with Philip on the way, and eventually meeting Braham who was at the foot of 
the stairs.

Hodges and Michael went up ... to where the controls where mounted on the 
topmost service floor - passing Lucinda who was hurrying down, and arriving 
on the top level just in time to see Tabitha, Warren and Pamela guiding a 
badly shaken Marjorie into the Beamans' flat.

Richard started up the stairs, passing the descending Marty, and met with 
Lucinda, just as Oswald came up to join them - leaving Anton and Marion 
alone together in the Skeffington-Nottles' flat.

"What's going on?" demanded Oswald.

"Nola had an abortion," said Lucinda briefly - although she cast a slightly 
wary look at Richard.  "Tabitha spotted it - Pamela and Marjorie were both 
rather upset.  Marty ... he guessed, I think, and dahed out.  We need to 
find out what he knew."

Her eyes met her husband's.  "And whether he was responsible."

A clank and a shout from Hodges told that the lift had been successfully 
halted.

"Can you bring it back up?" called Oswald.

Another pause - and then the lift started to ascend.

"We'd best get people back up - if they want," said Oswald.  "We'll need to 
ask some more questions ... but then it might be an idea if we tried to get 
some sleep ... The police will certainly turn up as soon as it gets light."

And so Marty Fitzroy was hauled back ignominiously to the top floor, the 
door opened, and he was escorted into the Beamans lounge.

Richard and Oswald took it upon themselves to inform everyone else what had 
happened - including the four who had reached the bottom of the stairs - 
although he did not explain to anyone at this stage Nola's condition.

(OOC - who's going to the Beamans, and who is staying put?  Some people 
might want to question other people in different flats)

Esme flatly refused to move from the sofa in Vangie's flat.