Part 19 (2/2)

'And as for the Waverider, I shouldn't entirely blame yourself. After all, we still don't know for certain what caused the explosion.'

'Well, obviously it was my tampering.'

'Except that Captain O'Brien here informed me that the explosion began on the s.h.i.+p, just after the satellite was launched. The satellite was just caught in the blast. I suspect that you weren't the only saboteur, Dr Drakefell.'

'What do you mean?'

'Well, surely the best way to disguise this satellite would be to surround it with as much debris as possible. A very small bomb would blow the Waverider apart.'

'But the satellite was destroyed.'

'Yes and when the blast hit your little package it triggered a much bigger explosion. I suspect the bomb went off too early. Unfortunate, really. Nothing to do but cover your tracks and make some political capital by blaming the Russians.'

'Crawhammer...'

A sound behind them caused the three men to turn suddenly. Major Collins was sliding through the s.h.i.+p's entry-hatch. He had his gun in his hand.

'Well, I'll be... What the h.e.l.l is going on here?'

'Major Collins,' the Doctor smiled. 'I can a.s.sure you there's no need for the gun.'

'Did you lose your way, mister?' Collins said. 'I freed you from custody to save your neck!'

He shook his head in self-disgust.

'All my counter-intelligence training and you took me in.'

The Doctor took a step towards him.

'Stay where you are,' Collins barked. 'I'm within my rights to shoot you on the spot.'

100.

Chapter Eleven.

Why, with petrol still being rationed, was there always so much G.o.dd.a.m.n traffic in this town? It took Cody McBride two hours to make the journey from St Paul's to Regent's Park. The zoo it was the only other lead they had on Ace.

It was closing by the time he arrived, which suited him. It was already dark. He strolled among the cages, trying to look casual, watching all around him. He was used to this. Divorce cases affairs always involved trailing people around the G.o.dd.a.m.n zoo.

The attendants were asking people to make their way to the gate.

McBride slipped into the shadows next to the primate house and kept moving close to walls, low to the ground, away from light. The few visitors left were thinning out. A few keepers trotted back and forth with buckets and brooms. Apart from the noises of the animals, it was quiet.

This was all backwards. He was running about trying to solve a crime that hadn't taken place yet. It struck him that he'd accepted the Doctor's claim that Ace was going to be fatally shot with barely a raised eyebrow. How did the Doctor know? It hadn't occurred to McBride to query his strange statement.

How much did he really know about the Doctor, or Ace for that matter? They'd turned up in his office one day during the Blitz, claiming that aliens had landed. And it turned out to be true. The Doctor had dragged both him and Mullen into a war within a war, with an enemy more soullessly destructive than the n.a.z.is. And then he'd vanished as suddenly as he arrived.

And now he was back. And there were Russian spies everywhere and giant ants in Nine Elms.

McBride lit a sly cigarette, s.h.i.+elding the match with his coat, and the glowing tip with his hand. He smiled to himself. He'd had too many lost dogs to find recently. The Doc was back.

He set off to comb the dim grounds once more.

'Just one of the keepers having a f.a.g. Everyone else has gone.'

Ace retreated from the high-set window that looked out onto the zoo 101 at ground level. She attempted to disentangle herself from the mangled bedsheet, which was wrapped around her otherwise naked body like an over-enthusiastic toga. She spun in a circle, twisting to unwrap herself from its coils, and let it fall to the floor as Jimmy lay before her, smiling, watching her. She started to gather up her clothes.

'I've really got to go,' she said. 'There's something I've got to sort out.'

To tell the truth she didn't really know where to start. She'd run from the Doctor in haste, and had no real idea where to find him. She supposed she'd just head back towards the TARDIS and hope he did the same.

'Aww...'

'I'll come back later.'

'I want you now.'

Jimmy rolled onto his side and pulled her back onto the bed, nuzzling her belly as she tried to dress.

'Later we've been in here hours. I'm starving. All I've eaten is that toffee-apple.'

Ace scrambled free of his embrace and continued pulling her clothes on. Jimmy seemed to reach a decision and followed suit. He was dressed before she was.

Ace grabbed him in a bear-hug and planted a deep, wet kiss on his mouth, then made for the door.

Suddenly Jimmy darted in front of her, blocking her way.

'Jimmy...' He didn't move. 'Get out of the way.'

Ace tried to push past him but he blocked her again, and thrust her back into the room.

This was ceasing to be funny.

'Look, are you going to let me out?'

'No,' snarled Jimmy, suddenly agitated. 'I know your game.'

'What?'

'I even saw the badge on your jacket.'

'What badge?'

'Your G.o.dd.a.m.n Commie red star. I know you're working for them.'

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