These characters are not mine. The Bill belongs to Thames TV. Doctor Who belongs to the BBC.
Suspicious Minds, by Viv Martella's Ghost
"—and so you see, that's how I came by the first edition. Because the other mistake I made was to sell volume 37 at a very low price, not realising its true value. That is—"
Laura didn't mind foot patrol with Reg. The rambling stories of his surprisingly unordinary life provided a meditative backdrop to a long day's walking. She tuned in and out as she pleased, and he didn't seem to mind. Two sons, successive thin walled flats, and inescapable urban traffic meant she was used to background noise. It kept her alert, where silence always made her feel that she had forgotten something important.
"—so he said, 'I'm sure you'll be suitably entertained by the experience - hold out your hand.' Which is when I said, 'How could you be here if you didn't exist—'"
"Reg, will you look at this?"
They'd only passed this warehouse earlier that afternoon, and it had seemed secure. Now there was a panel of windows smashed, with glass covering the footpath, and a door that was damaged by fire.
Reg withdrew his hand from its glove and tentatively touched fingers to the door.
"It's still warm."
Laura's eyes took in the darkening overcast sky and the top floor of the building. "I can smell smoke - can you? Old smoke - there's no sign of a fire still burning."
"No." Reg peered through one of the broken windowpanes. "There is a glow inside though. It could be a small fire. Sierra Oscar from 171."
"Go ahead, 171."
"Have there been any reports of arson in the Harrow Road area today?"
"That's a negative, Reg."
"Oh. Well, thanks."
"Shall we investigate?" suggested Laura, cautiously pushing open the door.
"Oh, er. Yes," agreed Reg, following.
Once inside the large stockroom of the warehouse, they heard the echoes of voices coming from out the back of the building. The direction coincided with the orange glow, now brightly visible through a doorway.
"Should we have called for back up?" whispered Laura.
"Yes. I know what you mean," Reg quietly replied. And then, "Hallo!" he called out. "Police. Is anyone there?"
"Best not to take them by surprise?" Laura said, smiling.
"Something like that," muttered Reg. "Hallo?"
The voices stopped. They were replaced by the sound of footsteps.
Just as Reg and Laura reached the back of the stockroom, two figures appeared in the doorway - a tall man and a shorter woman.
"Ah, good evening, officers," said the man. "I'm so glad you've finally arrived."
