Part One
Author: Brightbear
Rating: PG-13 for low-level violence, slash, mild language and supernatural themes.
Spoilers: Set after The Hand of Fear and K-9 and Co when Sarah is staying at her aunt’s house. Also contains references to The Terror of the Zygons and the Planet of the Spiders.
Summary: While staying at her aunt’s house, Sarah makes some new friends, catches up with an old one and investigates a new mystery.
Author's Note: Unfortunately, the Doctor himself does not make an appearance in this story but his Tom Baker incarnation is fondly remembered. Thanks to Blue_too for his Beta job.
Disclaimer: Doctor Who belongs to the BBC and associated persons.

* * *

The village of Moreton Harwood was still decorated with the remains of the New Years celebrations. Streamers were still wrapped around the village hall and across some of the local stores. It was the first day of the New Year and most of the stores were shut but there were still enough people around to notice the arrival of two strange cars packed with suitcases and furniture.

At one of the Manors just outside of the village, Sarah sat at her typewriter and tried to work. Her aunt’s ward, Brendon, was playing chess with her robotic dog, K-9. A large German Shepherd named Jasper sat on the carpet watching them. Brendon moved his bishop and K-9’s antennae swivelled observantly.

“Knight to king four,” said K-9 in flat, electronic tones.
Brendon grimaced but obligingly moved the piece into place and removed his own queen from the board.
“I think you’re getting too good at this game, K-9,” said Brendon.
“It is a logical and efficient challenge, Master,” observed K-9.
“Play nice you two or…,” began Sarah, turning from her typewriter.
She sounded irritated.
“Is the book not going well, then?” asked Brendon.
“Never you mind,” she told him sharply.

The phone rang and Sarah abandoned the typewriter all too eagerly to answer it.
“Hello, Moreton Harwood 778,” she answered.
Brendon and K-9 returned to their game but couldn’t help hearing her half of the conversation.
“Harry!” she said happily. “I thought you weren’t coming until next week. No, I don’t mind. Go straight past the post-office and turn left. We should be half a mile down the road. If you get lost, just ask for directions. All right… it’s good to hear from you, too. See you soon.”
She hung up the phone and began clearing away the type-writer.

“That your Doctor friend?” asked Brendon, fleeing the chess-game.
“The Doctor - Mistress?” asked K-9, trundling forward on his wheels and also forgetting the game for the moment.
“Not the Doctor, K-9,” said Sarah, clearing away the teacups that had accumulated beside the typewriter. “Dr Harry Sullivan. We both used to travel around with the Doctor but I haven’t seen Harry for… nine years by now. Gosh, it sounds a long time, doesn’t it?”
Sarah smiled fondly, carrying the tea-cups out to the kitchen and trying to remember the last time she’d seen Harry.

Back in the living room, Brendon smiled to himself.
“It’ll be good to have a Doctor in the village again,” said Brendon. “I think he’s bringing a vet with him as well.”
Brendon looked down at Jasper and fondled the dog’s ears, “Bet you won’t be glad to see the vet, will you?”
Jasper laid his ears flat at the word ‘vet’ and whined.

“The game, Master Brendon,” prompted K-9.
Brendon stood up and hurriedly cleared away several of the books he’d scattered around the room earlier, “I can’t play now, K-9. We’re expecting company.”
“It is customary to tidy one’s dwelling in preparation for a gathering?” asked K-9.
“Exactly, K-9,” agreed Brendon, shelving the books.
“Understood, Master. I shall assist.”

The doorbell rang and Sarah came hurrying out of the kitchen to answer it. Jasper perked up his ears and got to his feet, tail wagging.
“Stay,” said Brendon firmly.
Jasper lowered his ears and sat on the carpet again. Brendon turned to leave the living room but stopped as he heard K-9 rolling after him.
“You stay, too, K-9,” said Brendon.
K-9 made a noise of protest but obediently stopped.

When Brendon reached the hall, Sarah was already talking with a stranger at the front door. He was a thin man in his mid-forties with dark hair, sideburns and a discoloured mark on the left side of his forehead.
“You’re looking well, old girl,” the man was saying as Brendon walked up.
“You’re not looking so bad, yourself, Harry,” said Sarah, smiling.
She waved Brendon over.
“Harry, this is my aunt’s ward, Brendon,” she said, laying a hand on Brendon’s shoulder. “Brendon, this is Dr Harry Sullivan.”

“Hello, young man,” said the man, turning to Brendon and holding out his hand.
“Hello, Dr Sullivan,” said Brendon, shaking hands.
The man had a firm grip and a genuine smile, “Call me, Harry.”
Up close, Brendon realised that the discoloured mark was a small scar. Sarah waved Harry out of the doorway and into the hall. Harry looked around at the hall while Brendon tried not to look at the scar.

Sarah turned away from the door to find Harry distracted.
“Would you like some tea?” she asked, to get his attention.
Harry turned back without missing a beat.
“Oh yes, I sure could murder a cup of tea,” said Harry enthusiastically.
“Back in a minute, then,” said Sarah, heading in the direction of the kitchen.
“Brendon, can you show Harry to the living room?” she called over her shoulder.

“Through this way,” said Brendon.
He pointed through to the living room and Harry walked through gingerly. Brendon smirked to himself, remembering that he’d been quite impressed the first time he himself had seen the Manor a few months ago. It was an impressive looking building. Brendon had certainly never lived in a building with ‘wings’ before.

Jasper sprang to his feet and greeted Harry enthusiastically. The German Shepherd had never behaved as well for Brendon as he had for Sarah, and Brendon grimaced as Harry was jumped upon.
“Hello, old boy,” said Harry genially, holding out his hand for Jasper to sniff. “What’s your name?”

“That’s Jasper,” explained Brendon. “He used to belong to Commander Pollock.”
“Commander Pollock?” asked Harry, looking up at Brendon from the floor.
Jasper looked annoyed that Harry had switched his attention to Brendon and licked Harry’s jaw.
“Sit,” said Harry sharply and Jasper promptly obeyed with a pitiful look in his eyes.
Brendon blinked and wished he was good with animals.

“Commander Pollock?” said Harry, standing up again to face Brendon. “Army, I suppose?”
“He used to be in the army I think,” said Brendon, uncomfortably. “He used to help Aunt Lavinia run the market gardens.”
“Ah, no longer around then?”
Harry sounded disappointed but Brendon had a very good reason for being glad that the Commander no longer lived in Moreton Harwood.

Sarah’s voice came from behind them, “Commander Pollock used to be a co-owner of my Aunt’s market gardens.”
She walked in holding a tray of teacups. She set them down on the coffee table and gestured for Harry to sit.
“He’s currently standing trial for attempting to murder Brendon just before Christmas,” she added. “Sort of a black magic sacrifice.”
“Good grief,” said Harry, doing a double-take. “And I thought life would be quieter out here in the country. Glad to see he didn’t succeed.”

He looked at Brendon with a new respect. Brendon, who was perching on the corner of a stool, shrugged and looked embarrassed.
“Oh, you’d be surprised what happens out here,” said Sarah. “There were fourteen people arrested for that particular incident. It’s why there are so many job openings at the moment.”
“I see,” said Harry. “I gather that’s why Moreton Harwood is in need of a doctor and a vet.”
“Exactly,” said Sarah. “I remembered you said that you’d always wanted to set up a practice in the country so I sent you that letter...”
“Mistress,” cut in K-9’s robotic tones. “Jasper has entered the kitchen again.”

“What on earth...,” exclaimed Harry, jumping up and staring at the robot in surprise.
Brendon and Sarah leapt into the hall after the retreating Jasper. Brendon seized the dog’s collar and pulled backwards but Jasper dragged him forwards a few steps. Then Jasper noticed the person attached to his collar and stopped to greet Brendon with a rough tongue and a wagging tail.
“No, Jasper, bad dog,” said Sarah firmly. “You know you’re not allowed in the kitchen at the moment.”
Jasper’s ears drooped at Sarah’s reprimand.
Brendon scratched Jasper’s ears, “Come on, back to the living room.”

They returned to the living room with Jasper in tow.
“We have a problem with rats in the pantry,” Sarah began by way of explanation. “So we put down traps but we need to keep Jasper out of the kitchen until we’ve finished and the door doesn’t lock so…”
She stopped when she realised that Harry wasn’t even remotely paying attention to her. Instead, he was staring at K-9. He noticed that she returned and raised a questioning eyebrow before turning back to look again. Sarah laughed at him.

“What’s this?” asked Harry, finding his voice. “Certainly not something I expected to see.”
“I am designated K-9 Mark III,” said K-9 succinctly.
“He’s a present the Doctor sent me,” explained Sarah. Harry looked round in surprise, “The Doctor? Looks like something he’d be involved with.”
Brendon marched forward proudly and patted K-9 on the head.
“Isn’t he brilliant?” he asked. “State of the art.”
Harry shrugged, non-plussed.

“I guess he is quite impressive,” he admitted, sitting down again.
He stared at K-9 for a while, tapping his fingers restlessly against the side of the chair.
“But the Doctor gave him to you?” he asked, turning back to Sarah. “When did you last see him?”
“Oh… 1976,” said Sarah slowly. “I think. About six years ago.”
“I guessed the two of you must have gotten up to more mischief after I left,” said Harry thoughtfully and a little regretfully.
“Mischief?” snorted Sarah. “I don’t know what you mean, Harry.”
“Oh, you know all too well,” countered Harry but he was smiling at her.
Brendon had the feeling he was missing some private joke that even K-9 knew.

* * *

He didn’t see Harry again until the next night when their neighbours, the Bakers, threw a welcome party for some of the village newcomers. Brendon was by far the youngest at the party and was vigorously shooed away from the innocuous looking punch by Juno Baker. This only told him that the punch would be better than usual.

Sarah spent a good deal of time either introducing the new manager of her aunt’s market garden, Liz Patterson, to other people in the village or being introduced to people she hadn’t met yet like Rupert Casey.
“Juno Baker tells me you own the veterinary practice?” asked Sarah, twisting her punch glass in her fingers.
“Yes, bought it from my Uncle,” said Rupert Casey, looking embarrassed. “Uncle Selby and his partner were arrested in all that hullabaloo just before Christmas. He needed to pay his legal fees and I wanted my own practice, so we helped each other out.”

“You’re not going to run the entire practice solo?” said Sarah.
“No, no,” said Rupert, sighing. “My Uncle couldn’t do the entire district by himself so I don’t think I could. I’ve hired an ex-army vet to share the workload. Still not quite sure how we’re going to divvy it up yet but we’ll work something out.”
Well, I guess you can count on at least one patient,” said Sarah. “We’ve just taken in a German Shepherd and I don’t know when he had his last check-up.”

“Glad to hear it,” smiled Rupert. “I know that quite a lot of the work out here will be focusing on livestock but I do think pets are good for one’s health.”
“Oh, I agree,” said Sarah. “I love having dogs.”
Rupert grinned at her, “You have more than one?”
“Oh… I meant I love dogs in general,” stammered Sarah. “Have you been to Moreton Harwood very often? Before you moved here, I mean?”

“Not really but… if I’d known Moreton Harwood was such a nice place to visit,” Rupert told her. “I’d certainly have come to visit my uncle more often.”
“It does have its charms, doesn’t it?” agreed Sarah, smiling at him and knocking back more of the punch. “I’m certainly enjoying my stay.”
“Your stay?” frowned Rupert. “Don’t tell me that you’ll be leaving us.”

He pretended to look disappointed and Sarah giggled at him.
“I’m only here to work on my book… but at this rate I’ll still be here in ten years time,” she said ruefully.
“Oh good,” said Rupert. “Then there’s still time to entertain you with all my clever witticisms.”
“Plenty of time,” she giggled. “Gosh, I think I’ve had just a little too much punch already.”
“Nonsense. No such thing as too much punch,” said Rupert, slurring his words slightly. “Hang on, maybe I should get some water. Would you like some water, Miss Smith?”
“Oh yes, please,” she said. “And you can call me Sarah.”
“One water, coming up, Sarah,” smiled Rupert and he headed towards the drinks table.

Juno and Liz weaved through the crowd to join Sarah.
“Well, you’ve certainly been monopolising the attention of Dr Casey,” said Juno, her eyes twinkling.
“Well, I think our young vet just has good eyesight,” agreed Liz.
The two smiled at each other conspiratorially and Sarah suddenly wished she was at least twenty years older. The two older women had begun to have a match-making look in their eye that she recognised from her Aunt Lavinia.

“No sign of our young Servicemen, yet?” asked Liz, looking around the room. “I’m looking forward to meeting them.”
“Not yet,” said Sarah. “I can’t think what’s keeping Harry.”
Rupert returned with two glasses of water. He smiled at Juno and Liz and handed Sarah her drink.
“We were just saying, Dr Casey,” said Juno. “That those Servicemen haven’t shown up yet.”

“Oh yes, I met one of them when he moved his belongings into the spare cottage behind the vet surgery. A Dr Evan Rodney,” offered Rupert. “Ex-army I understand and a nice enough chap. Haven’t met the other two yet. They’ve apparently both decided to live above the Doctor’s surgery.”
Juno frowned, “I’d have thought there was more room at the vet cottage than in that small apartment.”
Rupert shrugged, “From the way this Dr Rodney described it, I got the feeling that they were such close friends that they didn’t want to be separated.”
“Long-term roommates?” asked Liz. “Probably don’t want to see their routine interrupted.”
“Well, I don’t know about the other fellow but Harry – that’s the new doctor – was a Navy man,” said Sarah, sipping at her water. “He’s probably used to living in cramped places.”

The doorbell rang and Juno excused herself to answer it.
“Well, sounds like you know this Harry fellow very well,” said Liz curiously.
“We travelled together for several months,” explained Sarah. “He’s a bit old fashioned but he’s a good doctor and a good friend.”
“Doctor who?” frowned Liz.
“Dr Sullivan,” said Sarah.
“A lucky man to have such fine company,” said Rupert glumly.
Sarah smiled at him, “He was only ever a friend.”
Rupert perked up again and Liz smiled knowingly.
“Well, here come our Servicemen now,” said Liz, gesturing to the door with her head.

Juno was showing three men into the living room. Harry came first, looking determined and professional, followed by two men Sarah didn’t know. They all looked relatively fit and in their mid-forties. Their clothing was bland enough to convince Sarah that the three of them had lived their lives in uniforms. The tall, lanky man standing directly behind Harry looked quite amused by his view of the room. The third man looked around glumly but smiled weakly when Juno spoke to him.

Harry nodded at Sarah from across the room then turned back attentively to Juno. Brendon perked up from the couch where he had been sitting gloomily between Howard Baker and P.C. Carter. Juno took the trio’s coats and offered to take their scarves but the cheerful man waved her aside and whispered something that made her laugh. Harry and the glum man handed over their scarves much to the cheerful man’s mock disappointment. Juno smiled generously and led the them across the room towards Sarah’s party.

“May I introduce Miss Sarah Jane Smith, Dr Rupert Casey and Miss Elizabeth Patterson,” said Juno pleasantly.
“Hello, Sarah, Dr Casey, Miss Patterson,” nodded Harry. “I’m Dr Harry Sullivan and this is Colonel Richard Hanson and Dr Evan Rodney.”
The cheerful Colonel smiled blindingly at them and the glum Dr Rodney managed a small twist of the lips that passed for a smile.
“We very nearly thought you weren’t going to come,” said Liz pleasantly.
The Colonel’s smile dimmed a bit, “Sorry about that. Unavoidably detained.”
Dr Rodney looked to Rupert, “I’m sorry to say we found an injured cat on our way here and stopped to look after it.”

Rupert grimaced, “I take it that it didn’t go well.”
“No,” sighed Dr Rodney. “It didn’t. Had to put the poor thing down. That’s why we were so late.”
“Not a happy start to the evening,” added Harry, hands in his pockets.
“Still, we did all we could for her,” said the Colonel. “Mrs Baker, did you say something about drinks?”
“There’s punch on the table,” said Juno helpfully.
“Excellent, I’ll grab three?” he said tentatively and looked to his friends.

Harry nodded with a smile but Dr Rodney shook his head.
“Three it is,” said the Colonel, conveniently ignoring Dr Rodney’s refusal.
He flipped the end of his scarf jauntily over his shoulder.
“Are you sure I can’t take your scarf, Colonel?” asked Juno. “Only I imagine it could get quite warm inside.”
“Quite sure, Mrs Baker,” said the Colonel, leaning forward. “To tell you the truth, I’m hiding the odd bruise.”

“Nothing serious, I hope,” spoke up Sarah.
“Not by a long shot and – to add insult to injury – it’s a boring story,” lamented the Colonel but his eyes were twinkling. “But I tell you what, ask Harry about his head. Now, that’s a good story.”
“A story from your time in the Navy?” asked Rupert. “Let’s hear it.”
“Richard,” objected Harry but there was no real edge to his tone. “It’s not that good and Sarah was there anyway.”
“Not when it actually happened,” said Sarah slyly, ignoring Harry’s betrayed look. “I only heard about it later.”
“If you’re going to live in the village, you’ll have to tell it sometime,” said Liz.
“Yes, you might as well get it over with,” agreed Juno.
“Go on, Harry,” said Sarah.

Brendon extricated himself from the couch to join the group. The Colonel grinned at him as he saw him coming and wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
“You must be Brendon,” said the Colonel. “Harry mentioned you.”
“Did he?” said Brendon nervously, finding himself the centre of attention.
“Yes, he did. He probably forgot to mention me, he usually does,” said the Colonel, tilting his head towards Brendon’s as if imparting some great secret. “Colonel Richard Hanson, at your service, recently retired and currently off to the drinks table. But you’re in luck, Harry was just about to entertain everyone with a story.”

“With friends like these…,” muttered Harry.
“Oh, shush,” said Sarah, grinning at him over her water.
Dr Rodney actually smiled at her from Harry’s side.
“Was Sarah there?” asked Brendon hopefully.
“He just said she was,” said the Colonel, turning to Harry. “Come on, Harry, you can’t disappoint the boy now.”

The Colonel gave Brendon a gentle push towards the group and turned determinedly in the direction of the drinks table. Brendon looked hopefully at Harry who relented with a sigh.
“Well, for security reasons I can’t tell you the details but we were up in Scotland investigating some mysterious deaths,” began Harry. “I’d just dropped Sarah off in the village and was on my way to the sickbay to examine some of the corpses…”

* * *

Back at the Manor, Jasper perked up his ears at an unfamiliar sound. The German Shepherd stood up from his basket in the hall and stretched sleepily. He wandered down the hall to the closed kitchen door. He sniffed around the door jamb curiously. A scuffling sound came from behind the door. Jasper tensed and butted his head against the door. The door stayed firmly shut. Jasper whined plaintively and then reared back to push against the door with his front legs. He pushed again and the chair that had been propped against the door toppled over. Tail wagging in anticipation, the dog disappeared into the kitchen.

K-9 activated from his dormant state as the kitchen door swung shut. His sensors swung back and forth, scanning. Observing that Jasper’s basket was empty, K-9 motored forward. A pained yelping sounded from the kitchen and K-9 sped up, pushing awkwardly against the kitchen door. The kitchen was dark but K-9 headed for the pantry where the rat traps had been set. Jasper wasn’t there but a pitiful whining sounded from the other side of the kitchen bench.
“Jasper?” asked K-9, reversing and moving around the bench.
The German Shepherd lay on the tiles, unmoving. As he heard K-9 approaching, he whined again. K-9 advanced but stopped as he heard a scuffling sound above him.

He titled his head up to note three indistinct shapes crouching on the kitchen bench above him. They were each roughly the size of an extremely fat and round terrier dog. Silhouetted by the moonlight streaming in through the window behind them, their features were difficult to see in any detail. One moved and K-9 could clearly see the clawed fingers which gripped the edge of the benchtop.

Jasper whined again and one of the creatures gave an answering hiss. The creatures began to inch towards K-9 and Jasper.
“Desist immediately,” K-9 warned.
The creatures ignored him. K-9 detected the shine of fangs as one opened its mouth to hiss at him again. One of the creatures launched itself at K-9, the impact of its full weight rocking him on his wheels. Claws scored down K-9’s side, lightly scratching but unable to do any real damage. A huge wide mouth opened and tried to bite K-9’s head.

K-9 fired his blaster. There was a high-pitched yowl and several of the glasses on the benchtop shattered. The creature attacking K-9 leapt backwards and dragged itself up the kitchen bench. Then the three of them stampeded out the window. K-9 remained motionless for a minute, his scanners moving restlessly. Satisfied the creatures were gone, he moved forward to examine Jasper.

* * *

The Colonel returned to the group listening to the story, handing glasses of punch to Harry, Dr Rodney and Brendon. Sarah promptly confiscated Brendon’s and, for lack of other options, began drinking it herself. The Colonel shrugged apologetically at Brendon but Brendon was impressed by the offer.

“…well, the poor fellow was in a bad way. He was trying to tell me something when there was a gunshot. He was killed where he lay. I jumped up, trying to see who it was and all too aware that I was alone in the middle of these blasted sand dunes,” continued Harry. “A good thing that I was looking about because the next thing I knew, there was another shot. I happened to turn my head at the right moment because the bullet just grazed me. Knocked me for six, though and I woke up later in hospital.”
“Yes,” said Sarah. “You gave us quite a scare, Harry.”
“I can assure you it wasn’t on purpose,” said Harry wryly.

“Goodness,” said Liz, looking impressed. “A real life James Bond.”
“Just in the wrong place at the wrong time,” shrugged Harry but he looked flattered.
“Ah but, did they catch the fellow?” asked Rupert.
Harry paused but Sarah spoke up.

“They did but it’s a military operation we’re not really supposed to talk about,” said Sarah.
“Secrets, then?” asked Rupert. “Secrets not even a journalist is willing to tell? I’m surprised at you, Sarah. Where’s that ruthless journalistic instinct?”
Sarah smiled, “Well, you wouldn’t believe me anyway and I like my credibility, thank you very much.”

Howard Baker approached the group.
“This is my husband, Howard,” spoke up Juno briskly. “This is Dr Sullivan, Colonel Hanson and Dr Rodney.”
“Hello, welcome to Moreton Harwood,” said Howard politely, nodding at them.
“Glad to be here,” said Harry, apparently the chosen spokesperson for the group.
Howard turned to Sarah, “There’s a phonecall for you, my dear.”
“Oh, really?” asked Sarah, passing her punch to Rupert.
She followed Howard in the direction of the telephone.

* * *

K-9 sat by the telephone reciever in the Manor, his sensors still scanning in case the intruders returned. Sarah’s voice came over the phoneline.
“Hello? Sarah Jane Smith, here.”
“Mistress, intruders at the Manor.”
There was a pause and Sarah’s voice dropped to a whisper, “K-9? Is that you?”

* * *

“So, Colonel, aren’t you a bit young to retire?” asked Liz.
“Well, I didn’t retire because I was too old for the job,” explained the Colonel. “Sadly, my Grandmother passed away and left me a not insignificant inheritance. Enough to live on without working. The three of us had been sharing a house already. Harry and Evan had always wanted to set up practices in the country and had been saving up for some time. It seemed a good time for us all to make the change.”

“You’ll like it here,” offered Brendon.
The Colonel beamed at him, “You know, I think I will.”
“You’ll have to find something to do,” spoke up Evan. “If only for the sake of your sanity… and everybody else’s, come to think of it."
The Colonel looked offended, “Are you saying that I can be annoying, Evan?”
“Yes,” grinned Evan.
“Oh,” said the Colonel and he grinned back.

“Do you know anything about horticulture?” asked Brendon.
“I had a cousin who was into horticulture,” said the Colonel thoughtfully. “I think I absorbed something through sheer repetition.”
“Do you know anything about horticulture?” Evan asked Brendon.
“I… ah, just what I read in books,” said Brendon blushing. “My aunt runs a market garden.”
“Oh really?” asked the Colonel. “Plants are nice.”

Evan rolled his eyes, “Plants are nice?”
“Miss Patterson?” appealed the Colonel.
“I’m a vegetarian and the manager of Lavinia Smith’s market garden,” said Liz. “I definitely think plants are nice.”
The Colonel beamed and turned to Juno.

“What about you, Mrs Baker?” he asked.
Juno smiled, “My husband also runs a market garden. Plants are good business around here.”
“Ah, friendly competition,” said Evan. “What about you, Dr Casey?”
“Well,” shrugged Rupert. “Plants are ok but as a vet, I confess that I’m rather more fond of animals.”

Sarah and Howard rejoined the group.
“Rupert, I think there’s been an accident at the Manor,” said Sarah, pulling on her coat. “Could you come, just to check on the dogs?”
“Of course,” said Rupert, putting down the punch glasses in his hands. “But I thought you only had one?”
“Ah, I do,” said Sarah nervously.

“Do you want me to come, too?” asked Evan.
“I can handle it,” said Rupert quickly.
“Actually, I wouldn’t mind if Dr Rodney came too,” said Sarah. “Sounds like there might have been a break-in.”
“Do you want us to come?” offered Harry.
“No, it should be all right,” said Sarah. “I’m just worried about the dogs… the dog. Thanks for the offer, though.”
“Are you sure?” asked Howard.
Sarah nodded.

“Who was on the phone?” asked Juno.
“Ah…,” Sarah faltered. “My editor apparently rang the Manor and the phone must have gotten knocked off the hook because she heard strange noises.”
“Ring if you need any help,” said Liz.
“I will,” nodded Sarah. “Come on, Brendon.”
Sarah, Brendon, Rupert and Dr Evan left hurriedly, grabbing their coats on the way out. Howard and Juno walked them to the door.

“So,” said the Colonel, turning to Liz. “How’s this market garden business going?”
She shrugged, “Not very well but they’ve had a run of bad luck. I’m going to do my best to change it.”
“Sarah’s business is in trouble?” asked Harry, frowning.
“Actually, the business belongs to her aunt,” said Liz. “Her aunt’s been lecturing in America so she’s the real boss and I haven’t met her yet. Miss Smith hired me when both the previous manager and the co-owner were arrested. She needed someone to run the business.”

“Really?” said the Colonel. “She lost the co-owner as well? The business must be very strapped for cash, then…”
“Richard, what are you thinking?” frowned Harry, looking at the Colonel suspiciously.
“Oh, nothing, really,” shrugged the Colonel. “I’m sure its nothing.”

* * *

Sarah opened the front door of the Manor, switching on the lights. Rupert put a hand on her arm and moved in front of her.
“Careful,” he said. “We don’t know if anybody’s still here.”
“I think they’ve run off,” said Sarah. “From what I was told on the phone it sounded like they got in through the kitchen window.”
The four of them moved slowly into the Manor, Rupert and Dr Rodney cautiously leading the way.

“What kind of dog do you have?” asked Dr Rodney.
“German Shepherd,” said Brendon. “Called Jasper.”
“The kitchen’s that way,” said Sarah, pointing.
While Rupert opened the kitchen door, Brendon slipped into the living room.

Dr Rodney followed Rupert into the darkened kitchen. Sarah stood in the doorway and flicked the light on. Just behind the kitchen door, a chair had been knocked to the ground. The benchtop was littered with broken glass and one of the kitchen windows above the sink had been shattered.
“Careful of the rat traps,” warned Sarah, pointing at the traps clustered by the pantry door.

Rupert moved around the benchtop and quickly knelt down.
“The dog’s over here,” he called.
Dr Rodney and Sarah moved to join him. Rupert was kneeling beside the large German Shepherd.
“Good boy, Jasper, good boy,” said Rupert softly, gently touching the dog.
The dog whined and lifted its head.

“He’s been mauled by something,” said Dr Rodney, kneeling on the other side.
“Poor boy,” said Sarah, crouching by Jasper and stroking his head.
“Another dog?” suggested Rupert.
“Maybe,” said Dr Rodney, sounding unconvinced.
“Will he be all right?” asked Sarah.
“Hopefully,” said Dr Rodney.

“We’ll do whatever we can,” promised Rupert. “But we’d better get him back to the surgery. Do you have a towel or something?”
Sarah fetched them a towel and the two vets wrapped the dog up. Dr Rodney carried the dog to the car where Rupert opened the door. “Do you want to come, Sarah?” asked Rupert.
Sarah hesitated, “I’d better stay here with Brendon and check that nothing’s been stolen.”
“It’s all right,” said Dr Rodney from the back seat of the car. “We’ll take care of Jasper and ring you later. Will you be up or do you want us to ring in the morning?”
“As soon as you know, please,” said Sarah.
“Very well,” said Rupert. “Don’t worry too much.”

Rupert climbed into the driver’s seat and the car disappeared down the Manor’s driveway. Sarah returned to the living room to find Brendon talking with K-9. K-9’s metal side was scored with light scratches and a small pattern of dents across the top of his metal head.
“Will Jasper be all right?” asked Brendon.
“Hopefully, Brendon,” said Sarah. “The vets have taken him to the surgery.”

She turned to the robot, “K-9, what happened?”
“Animal intruders, Mistress,” said K-9. “Species unknown. Likely that they are not native to this area.”
“Have you seen what they did to K-9?” asked Brendon, pointing out the scratches indignantly. “What kind of animal could do this to metal?”

“Start from the beginning, K-9,” ordered Sarah, pulling up a stool.
“Jasper’s curious nature led to him gaining entry to the kitchen. I advanced with the intent of retrieving him when he was attacked,” explained K-9. “Three creatures who entered through the kitchen window. They were medium size and hairless with teeth and claws suggesting a carnivorous diet.”
“Medium size and hairless?” frowned Sarah. “What kind of animal is that?”
“Unknown, Mistress,” said K-9. “They are not in my memory banks, for current terrestrial life”

“What did they do after attacking Jasper?” asked Brendon.
“They attempted to attack K-9 but I fired a stun blast,” continued K-9. “The creatures proved partially resistant to the blast but they escaped through the window. Evidence suggests they are capable of emitting noises at a high enough frequency to shatter glass.”
“That explains the glass in the kitchen, then,” said Sarah.
“Glass?” frowned Brendon.
“Yes, come and look,” said Sarah. “More importantly, come and help clean up.”

“Now you have returned, Mistress. I will investigate the grounds for further signs of the intruders,” said K-9.
Waving Brendon in the direction of the kitchen, Sarah walked K-9 to the front door. She opened the door, pulling her coat tighter around her.
“You do that, K-9 but stay out of sight if the vets come back,” Sarah warned him, peering down the darkened driveway. “The last thing I need is to explain where you came from.”
“Understood, Mistress,” said K-9, trundling out the front door.

Sarah shivered but propped the door open for K-9 and retreated back into the kitchen. Brendon was surveying the kitchen dismally.
“To add insult to injury, we didn’t even catch any of the rats,” he observed dryly, picking up the bin in one hand and advancing on the benchtop.
“Good,” said Sarah primly, dragging a dustpan and brush out of the cupboard. “I don’t really feel in the mood for cleaning up the end result of a game of rat versus trap.”
“Pity we don’t have a cat,” said Brendon, gingerly picking up the larger shards of glass from the bench and tossing them in the bin.

Sarah paused in the act of sweeping up the glass in front of the window.
“I wonder…,” she muttered.
“Sarah?” asked Brendon, pulling glass out of the sink.
“Dr Rodney said he found an injured cat earlier tonight,” said Sarah thoughtfully, one hand on her chin. “If whatever broke in here could maul a German Shepherd, it’d be more than capable of killing a cat.”
Brendon snorted, “Only if you could catch the cat in the first place.”
She sighed and shook her head, “I’ll ask Dr Rodney next time I speak to him. He never said what killed the cat.”

“Mistress?” came K-9’s robotic voice.
“K-9?” asked Sarah, standing up and looking to the kitchen door.
“Here, Mistress.”
The doorway was empty but Brendon leant across to look out the broken window.
“He’s outside,” he called.
Sarah joined him at the window, careful not to touch the glass still on the sill.

It took her eyes a moment to adjust to the darkness. Then she could make out K-9 where he sat in the flowerbeds beneath the kitchen window.
“What have you found?” she asked.
“Tracks, Mistress,” said K-9. “They lead from the direction of the cottage to the Manor kitchen window and then across the lawn.”
“See how far you can follow them, K-9,” said Sarah. “I’ll get a torch and come with you.”
“What about…,” began Brendon.
“Stay here and finish cleaning up,” Sarah told him irritably, rushing out into the hall.

She snatched a thicker overcoat and a heavy duty torch from the hall closet and ran out onto the grass. When she reached K-9, he turned and led the way down the gravel. Sarah shone the torch just in front of him, able to see the dragging claw marks that stretched down the length of the driveway. The trail almost stretched to the bottom of the driveway where they veered off suddenly onto the grass.

“Further tracking is not possible, Mistress,” said K-9 apologetically.
“Oh well, K-9,” said Sarah, unimpressed to see that her breath was frosty. “We don’t know where they went but you said they came from the cottage?”
“They came from that direction, Mistress,” confirmed K-9.
“Let’s go have a look then, shall we?” said Sarah. “Maybe we should check in on the cottage while we’re over there. They might have broken in there too.”
They trudged back up the driveway.

* * *

Brendon was attempting to fit some of the glass pieces back together again when the telephone rang. He stuck his head out the kitchen window but Sarah was a dim shape at the end of the driveway. He left the kitchen to answer the phone in the living room.
“Hello, Moreton Harwood 778,” he said.
“Hello? That Brendon, is it?” asked a voice.
“Yes, that’s right,” said Brendon. “Who’s this?”
“It’s Rupet... Dr Casey,” said the voice. “Is Sarah there?”

“She’s just checking outside,” said Brendon. “How’s Jasper?”
“He’ll take time to recover,” said Rupert. “But I’m glad to say that he’s okay.”
“Oh, good,” said Brendon. “Wait a minute… there was something Sarah wanted to ask Dr Rodney.”
“Dr Rodney?” said Rupert, sounding a little puzzled.
“Yes,” said Brendon. “Dr Rodney said he found a cat that had been attacked and Sarah wondered if it might have been the same animal that attacked Jasper.”

Rupert paused, “I don’t remember Dr Rodney saying the cat had been attacked, just that it had been hurt. I assumed he meant it had been run over but I’ll ask him.”
“Thanks,” said Brendon. “Was there anything else?”
“No…,” said Rupert. “Just let Sarah know she can ring me any time. And I do mean any time, ok?”
“Sure,” said Brendon. “Goodnight then.”
“Goodnight,” said Rupert, sounding disappointed.
Brendon hung up and returned to the kitchen. He stuck his head out the window but Sarah was nowhere in sight.

* * *

The tracks led intermittently from the kitchen window in a rambling trail all the way through the gravel-lined paths of the market garden to the cottage at the edge of the Manor grounds. K-9 didn’t notice the temperature but Sarah was shivering. She shone her torch into the small garage but the space was empty.

“Liz must still be at the party,” said Sarah regretfully. “I’d really appreciate one of her fresh herbal teas right about now.”
“Mistress?” said K-9. “The creatures have been in the cottage.”
Sarah swung her torch around to see where K-9 was looking.
The cottage’s wooden door contained a small cat door. The snapped remains of the latch dangled just above the ground. Long scratch marks and dents in the metal frame spoke of the door’s brief resistance.

“Damn,” said Sarah. “Liz keeps her tabby indoors at night.”
“Tabby, Mistress?” asked K-9. “I am unfamiliar with this term.”
“A cat, K-9,” explained Sarah. “A female cat with more than one colour in its fur.”
“Then the creatures have gained entry through the door designed for this tabby,” said K-9 decisively.
“Looks that way,” said Sarah. “Come on, I want to see if the tabby’s still inside. I hope it wasn’t the cat that Dr Rodney found.”

She marched up to the cottage door and fumbled around in her coat pocket.
“How will we gain entry, Mistress?” asked K-9.
“Liz keeps a set spare keys under that flower pot.” answered Sarah, lifting up the pot near the door. “Hope I remember which is the front door key… I think it’s that one.”
She tried one of the keys in the lock but it refused to turn.
“Okay, how about this one?” she asked herself, trying a second key.
The lock clicked and she pushed the door open.

“Mistress, creatures may still be present,” said K-9. “I must precede.”
Sarah stepped back to let K-9 lead the way into the dark cottage. She felt around for the light switch and found it on her third try. She blinked as light filled the small stone cottage.
“I think it was warmer outside,” she said wryly.
“Mistress?” asked K-9, pausing on his way across the room.
“Nevermind, K-9,” she said, clicking off her torch.

She looked around the cottage, noting the changes that Liz had made to the place since the previous owner, George Tracey, had moved out. Most of the furniture was still the same but there were new tablecloths and knick-knacks everywhere. A line of pleasant smelling pine-cones stretched across the mantle above the fireplace.

K-9 moved out into the next room while Sarah continued to peruse the contents of Liz’s shelves. She noticed ironically that George’s former liquor cabinet had been filled with books on horticulture. There were books on plants in general and books about herbal medicine.
“She really does think plants are nice,” she said out loud.
“Mistress?” interrupted K-9.
“Coming,” she answered, leaving the shelves to join him.

“All other doors in the cottage are closed,” K-9 informed her.
He was sitting in the corridor. Sarah looked up and down at the row of doors.
“Maybe we should see if her tabby’s still here,” said Sarah.
She turned the doorknob of the first door on her left and was greeted by the scent of lavender when she walked in. The light from the hallway told her that the room wasn’t very big. She fumbled around on the wall for the lightswitch.

The lightglobe flickered to life and Sarah gaped. The room had previously been a storage closet so the only window was small and set high into the back wall. There wasn’t room for more than two people to be in it at any one time. Partly because of the small size but also because of the altar that had been set up against the opposite wall. The centre of the altar featured two large, thick candles – one gold and one silver. Around them were arrayed much smaller candles, an incense burner, a bowl of water, a bowl of salt and a short, bronze-tinted knife.

Sarah jumped back out into the hallway and shut the door.
“Mistress?” questioned K-9.
“Just a minute, K-9,” snapped Sarah irritably. “I need to think.”
At that point a car drove into the garage. Sarah hurried back into the main room.

“K-9, hide,” she hissed over her shoulder.
K-9 set off down the corridor and tucked himself out of sight behind a desk. Liz came in the front door just as Sarah turned back.
“Sarah,” sighed Liz, relaxing. “When I saw the lights on, I was worried. Thought it might be burglars. What are you doing here? How’s Jasper?”
“Rupert and Dr Rodney are looking after Jasper,” said Sarah nervously. “We followed a trail from our kitchen back to the cottage. Seems that whatever got into our place got in here, first.”

“We?” asked Liz. “Is Brendon here?”
She stepped forward, intending to go past Sarah into the hallway.
“They got in through the cat door,” said Sarah quickly.

“They did?” asked Liz, stopping and forgetting about Brendon. “They must have been very small burglars.”
She turned back to the front door and turned on the outside light so that she could inspect the damage.
“By the G… Goodness,” said Liz, running her fingers down the metal cat door. “They must have been very determined. Where’s Sellene?”
“Sellene?” frowned Sarah, edging around to the front door.
“My cat,” said Liz, looking worried. “I never let her out at night. If she’s wandering around … You don’t think Dr Rodney’s dead cat could be Sellene, do you?”
Sarah shrugged, “You tell me.”
“Pardon?” asked Liz.
“Nothing,” said Sarah. “You can always ring him and ask.”

“Do you think it’s too late at night?” asked Liz, biting her lip. “I know she’s just a cat but…”
“He’s probably still up, seeing to Jasper,” said Sarah. “I’m sure he won’t mind if you ring him.”
“I think I will ring,” said Liz, shutting the front door and heading towards the telephone.
“Well, I don’t think I should leave Brendon up at the Manor all by himself,” said Sarah. “So, I’ll just be getting back.”
Liz nodded distractedly and Sarah slipped out the front door, returning the set of keys to the flowerpot.

Grumbling to herself, she crossed the grounds back to the Manor and tried not to jump at every little sound in the darkness. K-9 would just have to wait until Liz was out before making his get-away.

* * *

Juno walked into the hallway to fetch P.C. Carter’s coat. The murmur of low voices caught her attention and she noticed Harry and the Colonel talking in the entranceway. They were obviously on the point of leaving as they were wearing coats, scarves and hats. She was about to say something but the Colonel’s next comment made her pause.

“Do you think she knows?” he asked.
Harry shrugged, “I wouldn’t have thought so but she is a journalist, Richard. No secret is ever safe around Sarah Jane Smith and that’s a fact. She uncovered a witches coven just before Christmas.”
“What do you think she’ll do if she does find out?”
Harry shifted uncomfortably, “I really don’t know. I’d like to think…”

The Colonel caught sight of Juno, “Hello, Mrs Baker.”
Harry looked around guiltily.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to eavesdrop,” she apologised. “I thought you’d already gone home.”
“Quite all right, Mrs Baker,” smiled the Colonel. “But we really should be off.”
The Colonel turned to Harry, “Why don’t we finish this discussion at home?”
“Good idea,” said Harry. “And while we’re at it, we can ring Evan and find out how Sarah’s dogs are.”
“I thought she only had one?” frowned the Colonel.
“Ahh… yes, that’s right,” said Harry nervously and he walked out the door.

The Colonel looked surprised for a moment and then he turned to Juno.
“I don’t know about you, Mrs Baker,” he said. “But I’m intrigued.”
“Good night, Colonel,” said Juno. “I’ll see you around the village I expect.”
“To be sure, Mrs Baker,” he said, tipping his hat off and bowing low. “Goodnight.”
With that the Colonel straightened and walked determinedly out the door to join Harry.

TO BE CONTINUED...

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