Free Taken at the Flood by Agatha Christie Page A

five—six—seven people have every intention to hurry you into your grave before you’re due there!”
    â€œYou don’t mean—murder—” Her voice was horrified. “You think these people would do murder—not nice people like the Cloades.”
    â€œI’m not sure that it isn’t just nice people like the Cloades who do do murder. But they won’t succeed in murdering you while I’m here to look after you. They’d have to get me out of the way first. But if they did get me out of the way—well—look out for yourself!”
    â€œDavid—don’t say such awful things.”
    â€œListen,” he gripped her arm. “If ever I’m not here, look after yourself, Rosaleen. Life isn’t safe, remember—it’s dangerous, damned dangerous. And I’ve an idea it’s specially dangerous for you.”

Seven
    I
    â€œR owley, can you let me have five hundred pounds?”
    Rowley stared at Lynn. She stood there, out of breath from running, her face pale, her mouth set.
    He sat soothingly and rather as he would speak to a horse:
    â€œThere, there, ease up, old girl. What’s all this about?”
    â€œI want five hundred pounds.”
    â€œI could do with it myself, for that matter.”
    â€œBut Rowley, this is serious. Can’t you lend me five hundred pounds?”
    â€œI’m overdrawn as it is. That new tractor—”
    â€œYes, yes—” She pushed aside the farming details. “But you could raise money somehow—if you had to, couldn’t you?”
    â€œWhat do you want it for, Lynn? Are you in some kind of a hole?”
    â€œI want it for him—” She jerked her head backwards towards the big square house on the hill.
    â€œHunter? Why on earth—”
    â€œIt’s Mums. She’s been borrowing from him. She’s—she’s in a bit of a jam about money.”
    â€œYes, I expect she is.” Rowley sounded sympathetic. “Damned hard lines on her. I wish I could help a bit—but I can’t.”
    â€œI can’t stand her borrowing money from David!”
    â€œHold hard, old girl. It’s Rosaleen who actually has to fork out the cash. And after all, why not?”
    â€œWhy not? You say, ‘ Why not, ’ Rowley?”
    â€œI don’t see why Rosaleen shouldn’t come to the rescue once in a while. Old Gordon put us all in a spot by pegging out without a will. If the position is put clearly to Rosaleen she must see herself that a spot of help all round is indicated.”
    â€œ You haven’t borrowed from her?”
    â€œNo—well—that’s different. I can’t very well go and ask a woman for money. Sort of thing you don’t like doing.”
    â€œCan’t you see that I don’t like being—being beholden to David Hunter?”
    â€œBut you’re not. It isn’t his money.”
    â€œThat’s just what it is, actually. Rosaleen’s completely under his thumb.”
    â€œOh, I dare say. But it isn’t his legally.”
    â€œAnd you won’t, you can’t—lend me some money?”
    â€œNow look here, Lynn—if you were in some real jam—blackmail or debts—I might be able to sell land or stock—but it would be a pretty desperate proceeding. I’m only just keeping my head above water as it is. And what with not knowing what this damned Government is going to do next—hampered at everyturn—snowed under with forms, up to midnight trying to fill them in sometimes—it’s too much for one man.”
    Lynn said bitterly:
    â€œOh, I know! If only Johnnie hadn’t been killed—”
    He shouted out:
    â€œLeave Johnnie out of it! Don’t talk about that!”
    She stared at him, astonished. His face was red and congested. He seemed beside himself with rage.
    Lynn turned away and went slowly back to the White