Part 3 (2/2)

'Just a courtesy call. Tell them we'll handle this ourselves. I want a full check on movements in and out of this suite, Captain Yates, before and after the General's death. And no Press! D Notices!'

'Right, sir.'

As Yates moved away, the Brigadier called, 'And then go and get the Doctor back from Stangmoor. I want him here!' He turned to Chin Lee, who was standing stiffly before him, the black eyes glaring accusingly.

'Now, Captain,' said the Brigadier, 'I'd like to know exactly what happened in detail, please.'

'My appointment with the General was at twelve p.m.

There were some details to discuss about the Conference.'

'And you were punctual?'

'I am always punctual, Brigadier. I showed my pa.s.s to your UNIT sentry and entered the General's suite as the clock was striking twelve.'

'Go on.'

'There is nothing more to say. I saw the General's body, and telephoned you.'

'Immediately?'

'Of course.'

The Brigadier glanced at his watch. 'Excuse me a moment, Captain.' He turned to Corporal Bell, who was hovering nearby and said quietly, 'I want you to check on the precise time of Captain Chin Lee's phone call.'

The Doctor and the Governor had been arguing for some time, but the Governor refused to budge. 'I'm sorry, Doctor, that's my final word. I'll suspend any further use of the Keller Process and I'll put this room out of bounds.

But that's all I can do without higher authority.'

Reluctantly, the Doctor accepted defeat. 'All right. Then I'd better do what I can to make this Machine safe.' The Doctor tossed his cloak over a chair.

'I'll help, Doctor,' volunteered Jo.

'I'll do it on my own.'

'Is that wise?' asked the Governor.

'Perhaps not, but I prefer to work that way. How long has this Machine been installed?'

'Nearly a year. Emil Keller himself came over to supervise the installation.'

For no particular reason, the Doctor asked, 'Did he have anyone with him? An a.s.sistant?'

'Actually he did. A rather attractive Chinese girl...'

The atmosphere in the Chinese delegate's suite was heavy with tension as Corporal Bell put down the telephone, scribbled a note on a pad and handed it to the Brigadier.

He studied it, then looked up. 'Captain Chin Lee, you say you phoned me at twelve immediately you discovered the body?'

'Of course.'

The Brigadier shook his head. 'No, Captain, you telephoned me at twelve-fourteen exactly.'

'You must be mistaken.'

'You called on a security line, Captain. All security calls are logged.'

Chin Lee was silent.

'Well?' demanded the Brigadier. 'Why did you wait for almost a quarter of an hour before reporting the crime?'

Despite the Doctor's orders, Jo insisted on hanging around while he checked over the Keller Machine. 'What are you doing, Doctor?'

'Hunting,' said the Doctor briefly. 'And will you please let me get on with it?'

'I'm only trying to help.'

'Yes, of course you are. Look, why don't you go along and see if Doctor Summers has got any more information about Kettering's death?'

'Right. I'll bring it straight back here.'

'No!' said the Doctor hurriedly. 'Take it to the Governor's office. I'll meet you there later.'

'Okay!' Reluctantly Jo headed for the door.

'Well, off you go then.'

Jo turned away, but she couldn't resist turning in the doorway, for a final look at what the Doctor was doing.

Without turning round the Doctor shouted, 'Boo!'

Jo jumped, and scurried from the room.

She found Doctor Summers in the medical wing, and pa.s.sed on the Doctor's request.

Summers pointed to a pile of papers on the table. 'I've just got the post mortem report.'

'What's the verdict?'

'Kettering's lungs were full of water. He drowned in the middle of a perfectly dry room.'

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