It had been another long night in Tardis. Clara had arrived home from the pub and was unlocking the door when she looked over and noticed the Foreman's front door hanging open.
"Susan?" Clara called out, walking towards the door. "Mr. Foreman?" There was no answer.
'They could just be eating.' She thought, picking up her pace. 'Or watching Telly.' But it was too late for that. At ten o' clock, both Susan and William would be in bed, especially considering it was a weeknight.
"Mr. Foreman!" She called out. "Susan!" By this time she was at the door. She peeked in and saw a crumpled figure on the floor. "MR. FOREMAN!" Clara shouted, running to the old man's side. He didn't stir, but his pulse was thankfully stable. Clara flicked on the lights and pulled out her mobile phone, dialing up the police.
"Tardis Police Department." Said the familiar voice of Officer McCrimmon.
"Jamie! Oh thank goodness!" Said Clara.
"Clara? What's wrong?"
"It's Mr. Foreman. He's unconscious and the front door was open. I think he may have been attacked!"
"Who is it?" Clara looked down at William, who was blearily stirring. He opened one eye and stared at her. "Clara?"
"It's going to be alright Mr. Foreman." Said Clara, putting what she hoped was a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "The police'll find your attacker."
"No, no!" William tried to sit up. "You don't understand. He's taken her!"
"Taken who?" Asked Clara.
"What's going on?" Asked Jamie.
"Susan." Said William. "He kidnapped Susan!" Clara's eyes shot open.
"Jamie, Mr. Foreman's awake. He says that whoever broke in's kidnapped Susan."
"What? We'll send a squad over right away!"
—•—•—
Jamie slammed the phone onto the holder so hard and fast that the click and clatter woke up Sergeant Benton, who'd been snoring away next to Jamie.
"What's that?" He asked, on the alert.
"Just got a call from Clara Oswald." Said Jamie, grabbing his radio. "Attention squad car. 207 and a 242 at 101 Aztec Drive, over."
"What the-" Benton's eyes widened. "Who was kidnapped?!"
"Susan Foreman." Said Jamie, jumping out of his chair.
"I'll get the Chief!" Said Benton, charging into the office, where the Chief and Jon were arguing about some facet of policy. "Chief!"
"What is it Benton?" Asked the Chief, turning to look at the officer.
"Susan Foreman's been kidnapped!" He said.
"What?" Asked Jon.
"We'll continue this discussion another time!" Said the Chief to Jon, before turning back to Benton. "Who's on duty?"
"Captain Yates." Said Benton. "Jamie's already let him know, and he's starting up Bessie."
"No time to waste then." Said Jon. "I'll get a lab kit ready, and... Should I call Tara?"
"We'll wait." Said the Chief. "She'll order a team, and the last thing we need is a bunch of high-and-mighty officers from Gallifrey snooping around. They may be 'professionals', but they still managed to botch the Traken case."
"Good." Said Jon, sprinting off, grabbing a kit, and running back. "I don't care much for Captain Maxwell."
"I don't think anyone in town cares much for Maxwell." Said the Chief as he ran to the yellow-streaked squad car affectionately dubbed 'Bessie' by Jon. "Benton, stay here and man the phone, in case we get any other reports."
"Yes sir!" Said Benton as they drove off.
—•—•—
"Can you describe your attacker?" Asked the Chief.
"He was rather tall." Said William. "And he had black eyes. But there was something... Peculiar about them."
"Peculiar?"
"They seemed almost... Flat. Soulless." William nodded.
"Can you tell me anything else?" Asked the Chief.
"No, he, he was wearing a mask." Said William.
"Hm." Said the Chief, turning off his dictaphone.
"Chief!" Said Captain Yates, peeking out of the dining room. "Jon says he may've found something!"
The Chief ran into the dining room, which was a shambles. Plates were on the floor, along with pieces of fried chicken. Jon, clad in a protective outfit, studied something on the ground.
"What is it Jon?" Asked the Chief.
"A bit of fiber." Said Jon. "From a very nice bit of cloth. I'd say our criminal is a very fine dresser indeed."
"That narrows it down to about four people I can name." Said Jamie. "There's Vislor Turlough, Roger Masters, Anthony Tremas-" Everyone shuddered, but Jon shook his head.
"No." He said. "Anthony has blue eyes. I profiled him during the Traken case, remember?" The Chief nodded.
"Right." Said Jamie. "And then the fourth person is... um." He glanced nervously at Jon's coat.
"Blue eyes again." Said Jon. "Though I have to admire that you thought of me. Everyone's a suspect in this sort of thing."
"Thanks. Then again, whoever could be from out of town." Jamie smiled nervously as Jon stood up.
"Well." Said Jon. "I suppose we should start searching."
"We can't do much of anything without a warrant." Reminded the Chief.
"Of what?" Asked Jon, pulling off the sterile suit. "We'll just be checking around."
The Chief nodded. "Alright." He said. "Captain Yates, you and Officer McCrimmon go and check on young Mr. Turlough. Jon and I will go and visit Mr. Masters." He turned to Clara and William. "As for you two, I would appreciate it if you'd stay at Ms. Oswald's home for the time being. We'll call you if we find anything."
"I suppose." Said William, nodding slowly. Clara patted him on the back.
"I'll be alright." She said.
"Will it, hm?" He asked. Clara had no answer.
—•—•—
Captain Yates knocked on the door to Turlough's house. It was a small place, granted on some sort of discount from the landlord, and Turlough somehow managed to make ends meet. How? That was one of the questions that the answer to might never be uncovered. The door opened and a tuft of ginger hair came out, followed by the rest of his head.
"Yes?" He asked.
"Sorry to bother you Mr. Turlough." Said Captain Yates. "But something's happened."
"What is it?" Turlough asked, his annoyance quickly overrun by worry.
"Susan Foreman's been kidnapped." Said Captain Yates. "And since you have class with her, we were wondering if you might have any clues as to who would do it. Anything at all?"
"No, no, nothing!" Said Turlough. "I hope you find her." He said, green eyes brimming with sincerity.
"So do I." Captain Yates tipped his hat and walked back to the car.
"Ya' think it was him?" Asked Jamie.
"Nope." Said Yates, strapping himself in. "Green eyes."
"You think it's Mr. Masters, then?" Asked Jamie.
"Do you?"
Jamie nodded as Yates started up the car.
"So do I. C'mon. They might need some help."
They drove over to Mr. Masters's house. When they pulled up next to Bessie, something caught Jamie's eye.
"Captain, the front door's open." He said, pointing at the coal-black door dangling listlessly in the wind. Captain Yates got out of the car, closing the door quietly. Jamie did the same, and together they approached the house, easing in through the door. They moved forwards, searching the house until they heard voices.
"Let her go right now!" Said the voice of Jon.
"Giving the orders?" Asked Roger. "Amusing, considering the fact that I'm holding the gun in this situation." Someone whimpered, and Roger sighed. "For the thousandth time, SHUT UP!"
"What's your aim in all this?" Asked the Chief. "Ransom? You and I both know that the Foremen aren't rich. You might be able to extort a few thousand quid, but nothing extravagant."
"A different kind of a ransom." Said Roger. "Susan's dear father has certain information that would be best to not be revealed."
"Blackmail!" Jon exclaimed and Jamie whispered. Yates nodded and gestured ahead.
"At it's basest, yes." Said Roger. "Not for my sake, of course. I have an... Employer, you might say."
"Who?" Asked Jon.
"Do you really think I'd tell you that?" Laughed Roger.
"I think you've said enough." Said Captain Yates. "Hands in the air Masters." He and Jamie both pointed their guns at him, but to their chagrin Roger was holding a distraught Susan, gun pointed at her head.
"Put the gun down." Ordered Yates.
"And I say the same to you." Said Masters. "Put your guns down now, or I'll shoot her."
"Then what happens to your blackmail?" Asked Jamie. "You're bluffing."
"Am I?" Asked Masters, moving the gun closer to Susan's head. All the sudden, she grabbed at the gun and it shot off, hitting him in the knee. He shouted something and let go of Susan, who ran toward Jon. Jon hugged her as the Chief stepped forward.
"Not now." He said, kicking the gun away.
—•—•—
"Susan did what?" Asked Donna, closing her eyes and shaking her head.
"It was an accident, yes, but she did it anyway." Said Yates.
"Susan?" Asked David. "William Foreman's granddaughter? That Susan? Shot Roger Masters?"
"Saw it with me own eyes." Said Jamie. "Otherwise I wouldn't believe it either."
It was the next day at the Rose and Crown, and Yates, Jamie, and Jon were fielding question after question about the case.
"Well, he either shot himself or Susan did." Said Martha. She was the town doctor, and had pulled the bullet out last night. "The angle said that the shooter was really close to him. Either himself or..." She let her voice trail off.
"I'm just glad she's safe." Said Jon. "Nasty business."
"I wonder..." Said Jack after a bit of silence. "Who do you think it was that wanted Susan to be kidnapped? Because her dad had some dirt on him?"
"I don't know, (thank you Clara)," said Jon, taking a sip of his new drink, "but I desperately hope I never meet the man."
Bloody: Yeah... You wish... The chapter was inspired in pert by Elionu's request!
Unicorn Plushie: Bloody doesn't own DW and is sorry that tis is a little late.
Bloody: I am. Au Revoir, my lovely reviewers! Bye! :D