Doctor Who_ The Bodysnatchers - Mark Morris [65]
Cheerio.'
***
'Not a soul to be seen,' said Albert.'We may as well face it, Jack: our bird has flown.'
After entering the factory, Albert and Jack had scoured the factory floor and searched the offices above, to no avail. Now they were back on the factory floor, Jack striding up the aisles between the dark hulks of machinery, Albert trailing him like an obedient dog.
'We're not beaten yet,'Jack growled.'Our quarry must be here somewhere, lying low.' He stopped suddenly and rounded on Albert. Albert quailed, certain that his companion's frustration and rage was finally about to be turned on him. Rather than getting busy with his fists, however, Jack said almost thoughtfully, 'If it was you, Albert, where would you conceal two dozen cadavers?'
'I'm sure I don't know,'Albert said, and then added unhelpfully, 'Somewhere they wouldn't be so easily discovered. Somewhere cold and dark. A secret place.'
Jack nodded, though seemed lost in his own thoughts. 'A building such as this would have to have a cellar, wouldn't it?'
'I fancy so,' said Albert doubtfully,'but how would our man get a horse and cart down there? No, Jack, it's my belief that he's given us the slip.'
'That's what you'd like to believe, you mean? Perhaps I ought to slice out your liver,Albert, just to see how yellow it is.'
'I was merely being practical, Jack,'Albert protested feebly.
'Practical, hah! You were attempting to preserve your miserable skin, as always.Well, it won't do,Albert. It won't do at all!'
Albert felt his companion's spittle fleck his face as he raised his voice. He held up his hands in an attempt to calm him. 'You misunderstand me, Jack,'
he jabbered.'I'm with you all the way; wherever you go, I follow. I was merely trying to prevent us heading off on a wild goose chase and thus causing our man's trail to grow ever colder.'
Jack nodded ponderously. 'Certainly you were. Just so long as we understand each other,Albert.'
'Oh, I'm sure that we do,'Albert said.
'Good,' Jack muttered, fixing his companion with a fierce glare. After a moment he looked away, releasing Albert as a man might release a worm from a hook. 'Now, this cellar, if it exists, must have two entrances, must it not? One situated outside, and big enough to provide access for a horse and cart, and one inside, to provide easy access for the workers.'
'That's very clever reasoning, Jack,' Albert said encouragingly. 'I'm sure you're right.'
'I'm sure of it too,' Jack said drily. 'In which case, let us not waste another moment. You look over there, Albert, and I will look over here. If you find a likely-looking entrance, whistle, and keep whistling until I find you.'
In fact, it was Jack himself who came across the barred and padlocked door several minutes later. He gave a shrill whistle, and by the time Albert had joined him, had already succeeded in removing the lock with the jemmy that he carried around with him at all times. As Jack pushed the door open.Albert shivered at the chill breeze that blew up and over them from the depths below. Although it was dark in the cellar, it was not entirely so. From somewhere below came the feint, flickering glimmer of candlelight.
'The trail grows warm once again,' Jack hissed. He hefted the jemmy and grinned savagely.'Follow me,Albert, and not a word. I want our gentleman friend to enjoy his surprise.'
Though a big man, Jack could move with nimble, silent steps when he wished to. He did so now, creeping down the stone stairway, Albert, as ever, trailing miserably at his heels. The candlelight grew brighter as they descended, though only a little. As they reached the bottom of the steps, both men could see that the light shone from a small arched