[MaC] You may be wondering why ...

[Mel Mason]

Now most people were gathered in the longe of the Beamans' flat.

Several people were talking quietly, while Pamela and Tabitha were tending 
the comatose Marty Fitzroy (although both could listen to and join in ith 
discussion with the room).  The teacups had been carefully moved to one side 
for later inspection by the police, and people were left to eye one another 
speculatively, to ask questions and, it might be, to make accustaions.