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By Root 563 0

something like a land-based tidal wave. All right, I know it's a stretch, but say that the son wants to finish up or set right whatever his dad started. He comes back. Now, what if that charm was the key to the whole thing? Even if it wasn't, what if he thought it was? He'd be looking for it and looking for it, but in the meantime he'd stay here because this is where everything started so he thinks it's probably where everything will end. Then, suddenly, just a couple of weeks ago, the charm turns up.'

'So, naturally, he decides to attack the Doctor.'

Fitz looked embarrassed. 'OK, it still has some kinks,' he muttered.

'The son would be about thirty now,' said Anji. 'I understand that's the age Acree is.'

Rust nodded slowly. 'He hasn't shown up?'

'Not at his home. Swan's filed a missing-persons report.'

'He looked scared as a rabbit when I last saw him. I can't really imagine him making off with anyone. If anyone's been made off with. Did someone see the Doctor attacked?'

'He's gone missing from his room.'

'Was the room messed up, as if there'd been a struggle?'

Fitz and Anji looked at each other again.

'Not really,' Fitz said reluctantly.

'Just the sheets,' said Anji.

'The bedsheets?'

"They were all pulled off the bed. As if someone had held on to them.'

'Uh-huh. Any blood?'

'Not that we saw,' said Fitz.

'Of course,' said Anji, 'we're not professionals.'

Rust poured the rest of his espresso down his throat and said tiredly, ‘Let's go over there.'

Rust examined the bedroom thoroughly. Fitz and Anji stood in the courtyard, watching him through the tall window. Laura had hovered worriedly in the door connecting the Doctor's quarters to the bookstore until customers drew her away. The sheets were indeed a mess, Rust acknowledged, pulled on to the floor as if someone had been trying to climb up them back on to the bed. But nothing else was disturbed. Nor could he find any blood. Laura hadn't heard anything, although she told them that a few nights earlier she had heard one of the Doctor's nightmares.

'Maybe whoever it was prevented him from crying out,' said Anji.

'It's possible.' Rust stooped to look at a mark on the floor, but it turned out to be a discoloration in the wood. 'It's also possible he just had one hell of a nightmare and went for a long walk to clear his head.'

'You think we're overreacting,' said Fitz.

'Not necessarily. But I don't have anything to go on. I can contact Missing Persons and warn them Acree may be dangerous. But without actual evidence of an attack or abduction, I can't authorise any official help.'

'Swan could be covering for him,' said Anji abruptly. 'Isn't that ghoulish gallery of theirs a big house? They could have the Doctor tied up and hidden somewhere.'

'Maybe.' Rust didn't look at her. 'But I don't have probable cause for a warrant.'

She'd put him on the spot, she thought, forcing him to tell them he couldn't help. She'd presumed upon their acquaintance, and then she'd humiliated him. Embarrassed and angry with herself, she said, 'You've already gone out of your way to help us. And on your day off.'

Ignorant of the subtleties of the situation, Fitz asked bluntly, 'Is there anything you can do to help us?'

'I can light a fire under Missing Persons when you file an MPR. I can check a few places and a few sources, see if I sniff out any mention of the Doctor, or of Acree. Not a lot.'

'We appreciate anything you can do,' Anji said.

She followed him out to the pavement. He looked at her a little nervously.

Expecting some new request, she thought shamefacedly. 'I just wanted to thank you,' she said. 'I know you've done all you can.'

"That's OK.'

She stretched up to peck him lightly on the cheek and felt him - not flinch, exactly, but draw away. God, she'd really put her foot in it, hadn't she? She stepped back, avoiding his eyes. Her face was hot. "Thanks again,' she mumbled.

'I'll let you know if I find out anything,' he said. 'Try not to worry.'

Anji watched him walk off with that beautiful,