Part Three
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.

* * *

Harry was crouching in the ditch just off the road. He was shivering in the cold air but he wasn’t prepared to move his coat from the gruesome lump in front of him. A car approached along the road and he looked up hopefully. As it got closer, he could tell that it wasn’t Liz returning. He sighed and settled back into the ditch.

The car drew level with him and stopped. Rupert climbed tentatively out of the car.
“Are you all right, Dr Sullivan?” he asked.
“Just waiting for Liz to return with the police,” explained Harry.
He stood up and climbed out of the ditch to join Rupert in the road.
Rupert frowned, “Whatever for?”

Harry smiled thinly, “There’s been a bit of an accident, I’m afraid.”
“Nothing serious, I hope,” said Rupert. “Do you need any help?”
“Evan’s been killed,” said Harry, pointedly refraining from looking at the body behind him. “Nothing to be done but wait for the police.”
“I see,” said Rupert.
He paused uncomfortably. Harry stood there, not quite willing to loose the company but equally unable to think of any conversation.

They were saved by the approach of two new cars. One was Liz’s old sedan and the other was a police car. Harry and Rupert moved off the road and stood in the ditch. The two cars parked behind Rupert’s car. Liz hurried over to join Harry and Rupert in the ditch, ignoring the body.
“I brought PC Carter,” she told Harry unnecessarily.
“So, I see,” said Harry.

The policeman joined them, his eyes flickering to the body.
“Dr Sullivan, Dr Casey,” he nodded politely. “What’s happened?”
“It’s Dr Rodney,” said Harry. “He’s been killed.”
Carter screwed up his nose and nodded. Harry wondered whether this signalled deep thought or distaste for the task at hand. Carter approached the body and pulled back the coat. Liz gasped and shut her eyes. Rupert put an arm around her back and turned her so that she was looking in the other direction. Harry looked but made no move to come closer.

Evan was lying face-down in the ditch, still dressed in the coat and scarf he’d been wearing when he left the party the night before. At the very back of his head, the short dark hair was stained a darker colour. Carter knelt down and touched the dark stain with gloved hands.
“Blood,” said Carter decisively. “From a blow to the back of the head.”
“Terrible,” said Rupert, over his own shoulder since he was still looking away. “Such a terrible accident and only his second night in town.”

“It wasn’t an accident,” said Harry grimly.
Liz gave a small cry.
Carter’s head snapped around to look at Harry, “That a fact?”
“That’s my medical opinion,” said Harry. “Blunt force trauma to the back of the head with a rock in that paddock.”
He pointed further off the road. Carter stood and peered over the fence.

“There is a rock with blood on it,” added Harry. “It looks like it was thrown some distance from the body.”
“Any idea when?” asked Carter.
Harry paused, “My guess would be at least three hours ago.”

Rupert peered over his shoulder at the police officer, “You know, I was out walking then. I saw Colonel Hanson out and he looked upset.”
“What was he doing?” asked Carter, standing up and moving away from the body.
“Walking,” said Rupert. “I thought it was strange at the time.”
“I hope you’re not suggesting what I think you’re suggesting…” began Harry, an unusual edge in his voice.
Rupert flushed, “I know it’s silly. I barely know the man.”

“Still, it is a good point. I’ll talk with him just to be sure,” said Carter.
“Look,” said Harry, crossing his arms angrily. “I’ve known Richard for years. He was upset because the two of us had an argument this morning. He went for a walk to cool his head.”
“Then he can easily verify that,” insisted Carter.
Harry offered no further protest. He seemed reluctant to argue with the policeman so he glared at Rupert instead.

* * *

The Colonel twitched at the sound of knocking at the door. Brendon took a sip of his cocoa only to find it had cooled. Sarah stood up but the Colonel stopped her with a hand.
“I’ll get it,” he said firmly. “I’ve already been a lousy host.”
He stood and walked downstairs with his hands in his pockets. Sarah tipped out Brendon’s cold cocoa and placed her own empty mug in the sink. She could hear the murmuring of voices.

The Colonel thundered back upstairs.
“I’ve very sorry, Miss Smith,” he said. “It seems that PC Carter wants to talk to me and I get the impression it may take some time.”
“Anything I can help with?” asked Sarah.
“No but thankyou for the offer,” said the Colonel, managing a smile.

Sarah shooed Brendon down the stairs. They found Carter, Harry, Liz and Rupert in the waiting room. Carter and the Colonel went back upstairs, leaving Sarah to survery the room. Harry was trying and failing to disguise his anger. Rupert was avoiding his gaze and Liz was sitting by herself in a chair. She sighed in relief as she saw Sarah. Sarah smiled back and tried to smile reassuringly at Harry. He managed a shrug in return.

“What’s going on?” asked Sarah as Brendon sat beside Liz. “Is Dr Rodney…”
Harry shook his head, “And it wasn’t an accident.”
“Not an accident?” repeated Sarah.
“He means someone in the village...” pointed out Liz blandly.
“But he was hardly in town long enough to make any enemies,” objected Sarah.
“Exactly,” said Rupert. “More likely to be someone from out of town.”
Harry glared at him again and Rupert tried to act casual.

Liz put an arm around Brendon, “Sarah, do you want me to take Brendon home?”
Sarah turned to find Liz and Brendon both huddled together in the same chair.
“I think that’s a very good idea, Liz,” said Sarah.
“I’ll come with you,” said Rupert quickly, stepping away from Harry. “Just to make sure you get home safe.”
“Thanks,” said Liz gratefully. “You coming Sarah?”

Sarah looked between Brendon and Harry uncertainly.
“I think I’ll stay,” she said. “Could you stay with Brendon until I get home?”
“Sure,” said Liz.
She and Brendon followed Rupert out the front door.

Sarah turned around to face Harry and Carter.
“Now, what happened?” she said firmly, placing her hands on her hips.
Carter wrinkled his nose, “That’s what I’m trying to find out, Miss.”
“I still say you’re barking up the wrong tree, officer,” said Harry resignedly.
Carter ignored the comment and turned to face the Colonel as he joined them.
“Do you have some place we can talk in private?” asked Carter.
The Colonel nodded and waved up the stairs. He shot a look at Harry before following Carter.

Harry sighed and collapsed into one of the waiting room chairs. Sarah pulled up a stool opposite him.
“Harry,” she said firmly.
Harry looked up. There was a tiredness in his eyes that hadn’t been there before.
“What happened?” she asked.
He shrugged, “Evan’s dead and I want something to drink.”
He made to stand up from the chair but she stopped him with a hand on his knee.

“Harry,” she said.
“Sarah,” he echoed.
“Harry,” she repeated, a warning tone creeping into her voice.
He sat back in the chair and looked at the wall. He played with the lapel of his jacket. After a short silence, he looked back at her.
“I’ve known Evan for eleven years,” said Harry. “I mean, I knew Evan for eleven years. At first, the two of us were going to be doctors together. Going to save the world together.”

Sarah looked down at her hands.
“Then Evan decided he wanted to be a vet instead and you can’t be a vet in the navy,” continued Harry. “So he joined the army. We didn’t always see a lot of each other, especially when I was at sea but we still kept in touch. Then, I was assigned to UNIT in London and he introduced me to Richard. I never told them where I was for those few months that I… that we, disappeared. Don’t think they’d have believed me if I’d tried.”
“It was an experience, Harry,” said Sarah softly. “You don’t have to tell anybody about it for it to be important.”
Harry snorted, “I know that, old girl. It’s just that sometimes, I’d like to share everything with… with my friends. It’s frustrating that I can’t.”

“So, why are the police so interested in the Colonel?” asked Sarah.
Harry pulled a face, “Your Dr Rupert Casey saw him walking along this morning and assumed he was up to no good.”
“My Rupert Casey?” said Sarah, her voice rising.
He winked at her and crossed his legs. Sarah ignored his knowing smirk.
“Can you vouch for him being elsewhere?” she asked coldly.
“He was out for a walk,” said Harry. “We had a stupid argument and he left. We both needed time to cool off. He was back within twenty minutes.”

“When was the last time you saw Dr Rodney?” she said, pulling out a notebook.
Harry eyed her notebook with trepidation, “Not since he left the party with you last night.”
“Right,” said Sarah, scribbling on the paper. “I last saw him when he left the Manor with Rupert and Jasper about two-thirty. Rupert said he last saw him at three-thirty.”
“Is that what Rupert said, is it?” said Harry, teasing.
Sarah blushed, “Do you know when Dr Rodney...”
“My best estimate for time of death is between three-thirty and four in the morning,” said Harry, sobering. “How long would it have taken to walk from the vet to where he was found?”
“I don’t know,” said Sarah. “Let’s go find out.”

* * *

Rupert stroked Jasper’s head. The German Shepherd perked up and licked the vet’s hand. Brendon came in carrying a bowl of water and Liz followed with a blanket.
“You’re being spoilt,” said Brendon accusingly as he placed the bowl within Jasper’s reach.
The dog was curled up in his wicker bed which had been moved into the living room near the fireplace.
“Pets are members of the family,” said Rupert. “It’s not a bad thing to be fond of them.”
“People do get a little crazy about their pets,” agreed Liz, poking the cold fireplace.

Rupert looked sideways at her, “You need some more wood. It’s out the back isn’t it?”
“I’ll show you,” offered Brendon.
“That’s all right,” said Rupert. “You wait here. I’ll take care of it.”
Brendon sat on the ground by Jasper’s head and looked across at Liz.

“Break-ins, murders,” sighed Liz. “Is this town always like this?”
“I’ve only been here a couple of months,” said Brendon. “But it’s the first successful murder that I know of.”
“First successful murder?” squeaked Liz.

* * *

Harry waited by the front door, wrapped tightly in his coat. Sarah slipped out to join him, shutting the door behind them.
“What did PC Carter say?” asked Harry.
“I’ll start my watch so we can time ourselves,” answered Sarah, clicking her wrist-watch.
“You did tell him where we were going, didn’t you?” said Harry.
Sarah set off across the lawn, “You know how fast Dr Rodney usually walked, don’t you?”
“Sarah!” scolded Harry, hurrying to catch up. “You should have told him.”

“Nonsense,” said Sarah. “He would only have tried to stop us. Now, how fast do you think he would have been walking.”
He rolled his eyes, “Faster than this.”
He sped up and Sarah had to jog to keep up with her high-heels. Harry led the way down the side of the road for several metres and then stopped so abruptly that Sarah very nearly walked into him.

“What? Harry, what?” she snapped angrily.
Harry pointed at the side of the road. It took a moment for Sarah to see it. A set of claw marks in the dirt that led from the road into the field of Harry’s neighbour. They looked at each other and turned off the road as one.
“Do you think Dr Rodney could have followed this in the dark?” asked Sarah, as they clambered over the fence.
Harry caught her as she tripped, “Maybe he saw whatever was making those tracks. He’s a vet. He wouldn’t be afraid of an animal.”
“Maybe this isn’t the kind of animal he’s used to,” said Sarah.
They began to follow the trail across the paddock.

* * *

Rupert returned to the living room with an armful of firewood and began to stoke the fireplace. Liz wordlessly handed him a mug of tea. He looked at it in surprise.
“I really shouldn’t stay,” he said uncertainly.
Liz just held the mug out insistently until he took it. He sat down on the couch next to Brendon who was curled up with his own mug of tea. Unfortunately, being a very tall young man, Brendon’s feet still dangled off the end of the couch.
“I don’t think normal routines are being observed at the moment,” said Liz, sipping from her own tea.

The three of them were silent for a moment.
“So,” said Liz.
The other two looked at her expectantly.
“Why do you think the Colonel did it?” she asked Rupert.
“I don’t want it to be him,” said Brendon. “I liked him.”
“Especially when he gave you alcoholic punch,” said Liz disapprovingly.
“Yes, especially then,” agreed Brendon, ignoring her disapproval.

“Back to the point at hand,” said Liz. “Dr Casey. Do you have any evidence against the Colonel or are you just jealous of Dr Sullivan and his friends in general?”
“Jealous?” stuttered Rupert. “Jealous of what?”
“Dr Casey,” sighed Liz. “I may be a newcomer to Moreton Harwood but I’ve lived in country towns all my life. You and Sarah, Sarah and Harry, ergo jealousy.”
Rupert blushed, “I’m not… I mean… This has nothing to… I mean, I saw the Colonel out walking.”
Liz studied him over the top of her teacup, “Interesting.”

* * *

“You know, I’m getting thoroughly sick of walking backwards and forwards,” snapped Sarah, clambering over one particular fence for the fourth time.
Harry paused to rub his hands together as he waited for her.
“Certainly feels as if we’ve been going around in circles,” said Harry.
Sarah snorted, “Whoever made this trail wasn’t going anywhere in particular. It’s like they’re exploring.”
“Certainly fits the behaviour of an animal,” agreed Harry. “Can’t quite tell what kind. Do they get foxes here?”
Sarah made a face, “Harry? There’s something I ought to tell you.”

“Oh?” asked Harry, starting to walk again.
“Last night, we think the same creature that attacked Liz’s cat attacked Jasper,” she said, hurrying to catch up.
Harry stuck his hands in his pockets and slowed down to a stroll. Sarah caught up with him, puffing.
“I guessed as much last night,” agreed Harry.
“K-9 saw them,” said Sarah.

He stopped mid-stride and Sarah nearly ran into him. He pointed ahead at the road.
“Harry, did you hear what I said?” she asked in annoyance.
“Look, old girl,” said Harry. “Look where the trail leads.”
She followed the line of his sight. The trail had finally taken a new turn and led to the roadside. A policecar was parked there and they could see the village’s only other policeman walking around.

“What is it?” she asked.
“The trail leads from the vet straight to Evan’s body,” said Harry flatly. “Hell of a coincidence.”
“Do you think the trail continues past?” asked Sarah.
“I don’t know,” shrugged Harry.
She seized his sleeve, “You’re a medical doctor and Evan’s friend. The police won’t think it’s strange if you walk past the crime scene.”
“I don’t want to walk past the crime scene,” said Harry. “What do I say? I was just out for a walk?”
“Well, come up with a good excuse first and you probably won’t have to use it,” said Sarah firmly. “I’ll wait here.”
“What do I say? I didn’t get enough grief in last time I was here? Can I try again?” snapped Harry.

She blinked at him, stung. His face fell.
“I’m sorry, Sarah,” he said quickly. “I didn’t mean it.”
“No, you’re right, Harry. Your friend’s just died and I’m out here playing Sherlock Holmes…” said Sarah flatly.
She turned away from him and began walking back the way they had come.
“Sarah!”

She hadn’t walked far when Harry caught up to her and swung her around to face him.
“Sarah, I was upset,” he shrugged. “You know what an idiot I can be sometimes.”
She shook her head, “You’re not an idiot, Harry. You always mean well.”
“Thanks,” he said dryly but he seemed reassured by the back-handed compliment.
“We can go back to your place, if you want,” she said. “We can wait for the police to solve the mystery for once.”

“Well, that might be best,” said Harry.
He let her lead back the way they’d come. He kept glancing over his shoulder at the crime-scene.
“After all,” he said. “It’s not like there are any aliens involved. I’m sure the police can handle it.”
Sarah stopped so suddenly he nearly bowled her over.
“But, Harry, I was trying to tell you, I think there is something strange behind all this,” she said, seized by a new energy.

He sighed and stuck his hands in his pockets.
“Let’s hear it then,” he said.
“K-9 saw the creatures that broke in last night. He chased them off.”
“What were they?”
“He didn’t know. He couldn’t identify them.”
“Get him an encyclopaedia, then.”

Sarah rolled her eyes, “Harry, he said medium-sized and hairless. I can’t think of any animal that could fit that description.”
“Some kind of sick animal?” said Harry.
“A new kind of animal appears and then one of the village vets is killed?”
“Sort of stretching co-incidences, isn’t it?”
Sarah nodded.
“Very well, then,” said Harry. “Let the investigation continue, Holmes.”

“You’ll talk to the police officer then?”
Harry shook his head, “No need, old girl.”
He pointed to where the policeman was getting into his car and driving away. She blushed.
“Guess that argument was for nothing,” she said.
“Got everything out in the open,” said Harry.

They resumed following the trail and were led directly towards the roadside ditch that Harry had hoped to avoid. He skirted around the outside of the ditch despite the fact that the tracks went straight through it.
“Strange that he was so close to the trail,” said Sarah.
She knelt down to look into the ditch while Harry made his way to the point that the trail left the ditch. The body had gone but there was still blood seeped into the soil to mark its place.

“Sarah?”
She turned and joined Harry on the other side of the ditch. The animal tracks led out of the ditch and continued on into the next paddock but this time they were accompanied by human footprints.
“That’s new,” said Sarah.
“Somebody else was following this trail,” said Harry.
“Dr Rodney?” frowned Sarah. “He was following the trail towards the vet but he never reached the end of it. Somebody made sure of that.”
“But if the trail ends at the vet? Where does it start?” said Harry.
“Only one way to find out,” said Sarah. “Hopefully, it’ll lead us to the killer as well.”

The two of them set off with a renewed energy.
“Hurry up, Sarah, old girl,” Harry called over his shoulder.
“I’m coming,” she called back.
They followed the trail into the next paddock but it was just as meandering as before. They did five passes across the paddock before the trail finally led underneath the fence and into the next paddock.

It took them another twenty minutes to cross the next paddock. The trail was just approaching the next fence when Sarah grabbed Harry’s sleeve.
“Harry,” she hissed, pointing.
He frowned and crouched down. Beneath a bush by the edge of a fence was a small scattering of orange and black fur.
“Something certainly got into a fight,” said Harry thoughtfully, gathering some of it in his hand.
“It’s ginger and black,” said Sarah. “A tabby cat. Liz’s cat.”

“This is close to where we found the injured cat last night,” said Harry. “It had crawled to the road over there and we saw it as we were driving past.”
“This is close to my Aunt’s place,” said Sarah. “Those creatures must have attacked the cat and then come up to Liz’s cottage.”
Harry left the trail to clamber onto the road. He gazed at the road in some puzzlement.
“Sarah, come and look at this,” he said.

She joined him, tipping a rock out of her shoe. She stared hard at the road and saw nothing but bitumen. Harry rolled his eyes and pointed instead at the gravel that lined the roadside. She could clearly make out two sets of tyre marks.
“One of those is from our car when we stopped last night on the way to the party,” explained Harry. “We pulled over to see to the cat, you can see there where we turned around and went back to the vet.”
“But the second set of tyre tracks overlays yours,” said Sarah. “Someone’s been here more recently than you.”

“Evan,” said Harry. “He must have come back to where we found the cat and tried to follow the tracks back to the vet.”
“But whose car did he use? His is back at the vet’s,” said Sarah.
Harry shrugged.
“So the tracks end up at my place but they start back near the vets?” said Sarah. “I think we need to go and take a closer look.”

TO BE CONTINUED...

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