"We've almost got it. Just a little bit further. Ah, that's it!"

Susan and Tumnas relaxed. They had been turning the wheel of an ancient ship. It was connected to the drum and platform. The rest of the ship was missing.

"I've been meaning to ask Col to help me with that, but I kept putting it off. Thanks, Sue."

"You're welcome." She pulled down the sleeves she had rolled up. "You know Collin fairly well, don't you?"

"I've known him all of his life. I remember when he was born."

"Really?"

"Yes, I know his parents. Wonderful people." Tumnus laughed, clapping his hands. "His father! Now he's a character. You can be glad that Col took after his Uncle Cor." He smiled and shook his head. "Although, I have to admit Corin might be helpful in dealing with that blonde that keeps bothering you. He'd knock her down."

"What's this you're two talking about?" Collin was standing in the doorway.

"Mr. Tumnus was just telling me about your father."

"Yes, and Susan was helping me loosen this wheel." Tumnus brushed the dust off his trousers.

"I thought we agreed not to tell our secrets." Collin crossed his arms.

"Ah, but this is Susan. She's one of us. We have no secrets with her."

Susan smiled at Mr. Tumnus. She thought he was a most agreeable man.

"Where have you been Collin?" Susan asked.

"As a matter of fact I was at your flat, looking for you. I had a bit of a surprise."

"Why was something wrong?" Susan asked.

"The door was open. When I went in I found your guinea pig lying in the hallway, bleeding."

"Bleeding? Is he okay?"

"Yes, he's fine now. I cleaned him up and bandaged him." He paused and thought about how to phrase his next sentence. "Apparently someone had broken into your flat and he probably attacked her."

"You mean you suspect that blonde neighbor?" Susan asked.

"Yes, I do. The guinea pig apparently sees himself as some kind of guard, kind of like a guard dog."

"But Col, I saw the woman this afternoon, following Susan." Tumnus added.

"It needn't take long. She's unusually quick on her feet."

Tumnus looked serious. "I really thought the door couldn't be broken down."

"It wasn't broken down."

Susan turned to Tumnus. "Mr. Tumnus, thank you very much for the tea and all. I had a pleasant afternoon. But I think I'd better be going now. I need to go and check on the guinea pig."

She put on her fur coat. "Oh, will you look at the stone for me? I'll be in touch."

Collin reached out for her arm as she passed. "Really he's fine. And you should know, I've named him."

"You named him?"

"Yes, I've called him Achilles. Due to his exploits at biting ankles."

Tumnus laughed. "A most appropriate name."

"I don't think so. He's such a cute little ball of fur. I think something more like 'Sweetie' suits him."

Collin looked at her with his mouth agape. "Sweetie? Just try it and see if he answers to it. I'm calling him Achilles."

"Fine. You enter my flat while I'm gone and then name my pet. My first pet I might add." She paused. "I suppose I should thank you for taking care of him."

"You're welcome."

She paused at the door."And I suppose you'll both be over tomorrow to see how I'm doing?"

They looked sheepishly at each other. Mrs. Tumnus spoke, "You can be sure of it."

"See you then."

"What really happened?" Tumnus asked Collin after Susan left.

"It was as I said. Only Achilles filled me in on the whole story. Apparently he was standing by the door, guarding it. He heard what he thought was Susan's voice and unlocked the door for her. Once she was in the woman went straight to the spare room, only he tried to stop her in the hallway. But this time she had the better of him and kicked him. He passed out and woke up just before I came in. I say, I am glad to hear that you saw her on the streets. I checked the back of the wardrobe and it was shut but I couldn't be certain that she hadn't gone in."

"I wonder why she is toying with us."

"Whatever do you mean? Toying?"

"Yes, my boy, this woman apparently is the white witch. We should be no match for her powers."

"You mean she is purposely holding back? Or is it possible that her power has diminished?" Col asked.

"Possible, yes. But not probable." Tumnus was stroking the stubble on his chin. "I'd like to know more about this woman. Did you say Miller was willing to help us?"

"Yes, apparently he's a retired army officer. He's a bit bored and doesn't mind taking on an assignment."

"Good. We have got to find out what relationship she has with Sneed."

"I'll give him a ring."

She needed to think. Here she was associating with these two. Did she really want to do that? Oh, blast it all. Somehow she just couldn't get away from it. She felt more comfortable with them than her other friends. It wasn't what she had planned but she cared for them.

She stopped at a shop on the corner to purchase a few things. When she left the shop she had the feeling that someone was following her. She turned to see the blonde.

"What is it? What do you want?"

"I need your help, Susan. Come along with me."

Susan saw that she had a knife in her hands. The blonde grabbed her arm and yanked her along.

"Make one move and it's all over, here and now." She pulled Susan back in the direction she had come from. "Let's take a little walk in the park. It's such a nice day with the snow falling and all. It's perfect weather."

Susan stopped. She thought it would be better to get it over with. She didn't want to go anywhere with this woman.

"Whatever you want, just ask me now. We don't have to go to the park."

"Oh, but we do. They have some beautiful stone benches there. We can sit and have a little talk."

They continued down the street. The woman had the knife in Susan's side covered by a silk scarf. As they were stepping off the curb, Susan shoved her leg under the woman, tripping her. The taller woman fell into the snow in the street and Susan ran the opposite direction. But in a moment she was overcome by the woman, her beautiful gown was covered with snow and mud.

"You can't get away from me Susan. I'm faster and stronger than you are." She pulled Susan's arm behind her back.

"Ouch, that hurts. Let me go."

"It's going to hurt a lot more if you don't cooperate."

She guided Susan in the park to a secluded area. There in the midst of some fir trees was a clearing with a large stone bench. She tied Susan's arms behind her back with the silk scarf and shoved her onto the bench.

"There. That's how I like it. If you remember Susan. This kind of thing is best done on a stone table."

"Who are you? And why are doing this to me? You can at least tell me that."

"Susan, you know me. I'm Jadis, the white witch."

"But you were killed."

"Nasty bit that was. It took a lot of magic overcoming that. But finally there was one who brought me back. Rather like your precious Digory, when he rescued me from Charn. You know the story."

"You think you're Jadis? You are delusional."

"I'm not delusional. Don't think that you can explain everything with psychology. I am Jadis. I got rid of those brothers and sister of yours and I am going to take care of you now."

"You killed my family?"

"Yes, it was all quite simple in the end. One little train wreck and it's all over. Now there is just one of the queens of Narnia left. And I've got you right where I want you."

Susan kicked Jadis in the gut. She fell backwards into a puddle.

"You've muddied your dress. You had better go home and change and forget about this. You didn't kill my family and you're not killing me. That train wreck was an accident."

Just then a man stepped into the clearing . It was Constable Walker. "Hey, what's going on?"

He rushed over and untied Susan. When they turned around Jadis was gone.

"What was that woman up to?"

"No good. You need to take her in. She belongs in an insane asylum."

"Well, come along with me, Miss Susan and you can file a complaint. We'll take care of her."