Doctor Who_ Match of the Day - Chris Boucher [87]
„Put your hands behind your head while you‟ve still got a head,‟ the man snarled thrusting the gun in his face.
The Doctor‟s smile broadened. „That‟s not bad,‟ he said. „A word of advice though. It‟s been my experience that threats are more effective if they‟re quiet. You‟d be amazed how threatening a whisper can sound. That whole snarling thing lacks punch somehow.‟ Even as he said it the Doctor thought
punch is not a good prompt to give him under the circumstances. And sure enough the man immediately punched him in the midriff. The Doctor put his hands behind his head and said through gritted teeth, „That on the other hand doesn‟t lack punch. But it does lack subtlety.‟
The man hit him again. „Try this for subtlety,‟ he whispered. „You are under arrest for the murders of Pet Sanderonne and Raf Lee.‟
„Never heard of them,‟ the Doctor said. „And it‟s entirely against my principles to kill anyone I‟ve never heard of. Or indeed anyone.‟
„Not even when they‟ve murdered your best fighter?‟
The Doctor suddenly went cold. „Murdered whom?‟ he asked, afraid he already knew the answer.
„Leela,‟ the man said. „Sanderonne and Lee kidnapped Leela and then killed her.‟
„Why would they have done that?‟ the Doctor managed to say. We should have left, he thought. As soon as I recognised all this for the sick barbarous stupidity it was, I should have insisted that we left. This is my fault. Stupid girl, this is my fault. Only she wasn‟t stupid and this was all my fault.
„Not our concern,‟ the man said. „We‟ll never know their motives but we know yours and that‟s enough for us.‟
And then suddenly the Doctor thought why should I believe these people: they’re wrong about me why should they be right about anything else? „Not in any court of law I‟ve ever been in,‟ he said.
„Don‟t worry we have all the evidence we need.‟
„I‟m sure you have,‟ the Doctor said. „What about Leela‟s body?‟
„What about it?‟
„May I see it?‟
„No.‟
„Why not?‟
„They haven‟t got her body, Doctor.‟ The tall man with the smooth round face coming into the foyer from the direction of the locker rooms looked familiar. „We think the abductors destroyed the body after they had to kill her when their plan went wrong.‟ It was the Enforcer of the Guild of Agents the Doctor realised.
„We being...?‟ the Doctor asked.
„The police.‟
The Doctor said, „I didn‟t realise you were a policeman.‟
„I‟m not.‟ The Enforcer contrived to look shocked and slightly affronted but it didn‟t seem entirely convincing to the Doctor. „I‟ve been negotiating on your behalf and the police have agreed that as a registered member of the Guild of Agents you may exercise your professional right to be processed under the direct authority of the Court of Attack: He pulled the Doctor‟s hands down from behind his head and drew him to one side. He lowered his voice conspiratorially.
„That way at least you‟ll be treated in a civilised fashion and there will be expert advice available to help you to decide on an appropriate defence strategy.‟
A thought struck the Doctor. „Is that why Jerro Fanson was there and not in police custody?‟
The Enforcer looked blank. „Who?‟
„He was one of your members who was charged with murder.‟
The Enforcer shook his head. „It‟s possible one of my subordinates handled it...‟ He shrugged. „I only become personally involved with our more important members.‟ He smiled and patted the Doctor‟s arm.
The Doctor ignored the attempt to underline the obviously complimentary reference to his professional status. „Come to think of it,‟ he said, „he was an agent whose best fighter disappeared.‟
„Coincidences happen,‟ the Enforcer said uncomfortably.
„Client poaching happens too I‟m afraid:
„The fighter‟s name was Keefer.‟
„Doesn‟t ring any bells, I‟m sorry,‟ the Enforcer said and took the Doctor‟s arm. „The Doctor is ready,‟ he said to the four waiting policemen, „to go to the Court of Attack lock-up.
He will agree to the use of temporary restraints if you feel they are called for.‟
„Will he?‟ the Doctor