Doctor Who_ The Hollow Men - Keith Topping [54]
Nicola Denman swore under her breath. „If Daddy gets to hear about this...‟
„Oh dear,‟ said the Doctor, standing at the bottom of the stairs. Four policeman blocked his way.
„Stay where you are, shorty,‟ said one, putting a hand on the Doctor‟s chest.
„No, you don‟t understand,‟ said the Doctor, pulling his jacket open. „I have a bomb about my person. You must clear the area immediately.‟
The policemen were looking at the packages and wires strapped to the Doctor‟s torso with a mixture of incredulity and terror. The Doctor supposed that none of them had seen a bomb before.
„Are you mental or something?‟ asked one angrily.
„I really am most desperately sorry about this,‟ said the Doctor, tugging at the wires attached to the plastic explosive.
„But I do suggest you clear the area. Now.’ The Doctor concentrated on pulling the wires from the detonator, trying to remember what Ace had shown him. He expected at any moment to feel the searing heat of an explosion, but nothing happened. As he removed the final wire and breathed out slowly, he heard a faint chuckle in his head.
The Doctor scooped the tiny transmitter from his ear, and looked at it closely. It was immediately knocked from his hands as he was grabbed by two of the police officers and bundled to the ground.
„You do not have to say anything,‟ stated someone standing over the Doctor as handcuffs locked around his wrists, „but it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something that you later rely on in court.
Anything you do say may be given in evidence.‟
„You‟re making a terrible mistake,‟ he spluttered as he was dragged to his feet. Around him he could see other policemen questioning the young people in the club. He noticed the young woman he had spoken to earlier. An officer was pulling something from the girl‟s handbag, and a look of horror was spreading across her face.
„That shouldn‟t be there!‟ the Doctor shouted across the club just as someone pulled the plugs on the music. „That woman is innocent.‟ The Doctor tried to reach into his jacket pocket, despite the cuffs that bit into his wrists. „Look, I was given a -‟
One of the constables punched the Doctor in the stomach.
„I am not resisting arrest,‟ the Doctor said through gritted teeth. „Yes you are,‟ said the senior officer. „Bring the girl.
And anyone else in possession.‟ The policeman‟s grip on the Doctor‟s arm tightened as he was propelled towards the club stairs.
CHAPTER 7
DOWN IN THE POLICE STATION AT MIDNIGHT
Phil Burridge left the vicarage as easily as he had entered, climbing down the tree and then heading for home. He stopped off at the Green Man on the way.
When finally he pushed open his front door he found the house in darkness. A lingering smell indicated that Cheryl had tried to keep a meal warm for him and then surrendered it to the flames. It was probably another lasagne. Phil Burridge hated foreign food. When would that stupid cow realise that you can‟t beat pork chop and chips?
A clock chiming the darkness of the sitting room reminded him of the time, and Burridge switched on his mobile phone, hoping to leave a message at Hatch‟s office.
„Damn and blast it,‟ he muttered. The signal was too weak, so he pushed his way towards the back of the house, wandering out on to the patio. The garden beyond was a tip, a rambling sprawl of rusted furniture and enthusiastic weeds. The clouds parted, allowing moonlight to splash down on to the path.
Burridge held the small phone to his ear, kicking aside an old wheelbarrow which hit the ground with a rending clatter.
The recorded announcement of an answering machine interrupted the ringing tone, and Burridge paused, waiting to leave his message.
„All right, Matt,‟ he said, opening the garden gate and walking through. „I did what you asked me to, and, yes, she is linked to you know what.’ A grin stretched across his broad features. „I‟ve got what you need - I‟ll fax it to you tomorrow. Just give me a bell.‟
Burridge terminated the