Doctor Who_ Just War - Lance Parkin [84]
Footsteps behind. Reed’s voice. Followed by other policemen.
‘That was only my second-best shot, sport.’ Roz cocked the revolver. ‘Care to try my best?’
‘I’ve got him covered, Roz. Well done.’ Reed was behind her. In front of her, a dozen Military Police and regular soldiers were edging forward, pistols and rifles aimed at the huge fallen figure. Roz stepped back, holstering her gun, wiping her fingers on her skirt.
The adrenalin kept on flowing.
‘What’s your name?’ Reed was asking.
‘I am Standartenführer Wolff, J.’ He gave his serial number, then fell silent. Reed obviously recognized the name.
‘You know him?’ Roz asked.
‘Joachim here is notorious. Try asking one of the French exiles about him.’ One of the policemen had produced handcuffs, and was securing Wolff s hands behind his back.
The huge man was offering no resistance. His right eye was a mess.
They led him away.
Interlude II
The flash powder ignited, the camera clicked.
Mel blinked a couple of times, but when she opened her eyes again, there was still a red after-image. They were standing just away from the pit lane, racing cars roaring past them on a practice run. The photographer, Jarvis, had wanted a picture of her with Emil, and they were happy to oblige. Jarvis asked Mel her name, then scurried off to find something else to photograph. Emil was laughing. ‘You’ll be a star, tomorrow — assuming the car starts.’
‘The Doctor will find a way,’ Mel assured him. They walked back over to the garage, where the Doctor was fiddling underneath the bonnet of Hartung’s racing car.
‘Try it now,’ he suggested.
Emil did so and the car revved into life.
‘You are a genius, Herr Doktor. My engineers just couldn’t find the fault.’ He grabbed the little man firmly by the hand.
‘Well, yes, I am a genius,’ the Doctor admitted modestly, wiping the oil from his hands, ‘but I only started the car, you built it. It’s a magnificent machine.’
‘If you excuse me, Doktor, I have to put in a couple of practice laps.’ Emil kissed Mel on the cheek and jumped into his car, which had been chugging quietly away to itself all this time. Emil dropped the handbrake and shot away.
‘It doesn’t look very safe. He’s not even wearing a proper helmet.’
‘It isn’t. Dozens of drivers die every year. The sport is still pretty amateur, and there’s certainly no regard for personal safety.’
Mel shot him an angry look; it wasn’t what she wanted to hear.
‘Relax, Mel. I’ve modified the brakes, improved the steering and reinforced the chassis a little. He might also find that his car has a little more pep than normal.’
‘Isn’t this interfering in history?’ Mel asked as she watched the huge vehicle power off around the track, effortlessly passing his opponents.
No.’ The Doctor was still grinning broadly. ‘I know for a fact that Emil Hartung wins the Cairo 500 tomorrow, and he couldn’t very well do that unless his car started.’ He winked conspiratorially.
11 Peace In Our Time
They were alone together in the manager’s office at Paddington. George Reed had just finished phoning his report through to the SID.
He wrapped his arms around Roz, and they held each other. Roz’s heartbeat might have slowed, but her eyes were full of fire and she remained poised, ready to pounce. It had been twenty minutes since Wolff was led away, but she still hadn’t calmed down. He caught just a hint of her scent, the same jungle musk as the night before. He leant over, kissing her softly on the nape of the neck, where she liked it.
Last night her ebony skin had been invisible in the darkness. After they had finished their brandy, Roz had held his hand and led Reed to his own bed. Unable to see her, he had traced an elaborate tactile map of her body with his fingertips as they lay alongside each other. In turn, Roz had done the same, caressing him with long black fingers, exploring him. They had talked, and that had been just as intimate. He’d listened to her low, sonorous voice, uncovered some of her secrets, learnt about her family and their