Chapter 1
Short Meeting
He was six feet from the lift on his return journey when an audible thud echoed out from autopsy. With his heart running its third marathon for the night, the guard turned, flashing his torch through the clear doors.
Ding
Behind him, the lift juddered to a halt, projecting the last few strands of its occupants' conversation into the otherwise now silent corridor.
'– really must have a talk with Jethro. I am getting rather tired of being called out in the early hours of the morning to find there's no body to examine and they just wanted a chat over minor details of some report.'
'Of course, Doctor.'
'I don't see why they couldn't have waited a few more hours until morning.'
Doctor Donald "Ducky" Mallard and his assistant, Jimmy Palmer stepped out over the threshold of the lift, the latter yawning slightly. Whether this was due to the lateness of the hour or his superior's conversation was anyone's guess. Well, nearly anyone. Those who knew the resident Medical Examiner wouldn't have to; they knew.
'Good evening Jeffrey,' continued Ducky as he unlocked the autopsy doors, switching on the lights. 'So you have decided on night duty after all then?'
Following the Doctor and Palmer into the room, Jeff holstered his torch and casually unhooked his gun. Palmer remarked in his jovial tones, 'Quiet night? You look like you've seen a –'
Thud
The trio stopped dead halfway across the room. '– ghost.' He finished rather lamely.
Thud
The door of cold storage bay 107 bent at the hinges with each blow.
Thud
Blows coming from the inside.
Thud
'Well, Mr. Palmer, this is certainly something we have never encountered before.' A rather unnerved Ducky admitted.
Thud
'Maybe someone should open it.' Palmer suggested, making it quite clear that it was not going to be him. Jeff would have been quite content to empty his entire clip into the shuddering door even though he knew it would have little or no effect what-so-ever. Solid reinforced steel does not take kindly to bullets. He was definitely going to have a long talk with the guys back at the office. So much for "nothing ever happens on your first night duty."
Ducky sighed and deftly strode across the remainder of the room, skirting around the autopsy tables. 'Oh well. There was never any doubt, was there?'
Jeff had the incentive to lover his gun, just in case he got a little trigger happy. He felt more at ease now that he was accompanied. Palmer proceeded to inch back the way they had come.
Thud
The Doctor took hold of the frosted handle, hesitated then yanked the door open. A European woman flopped head first out onto the floor, dripping wet and quite obviously terrified. Her black curls flopped limply around her head, clinging to her body in much the same way as her clothes. The new arrival grabbed Ducky's arms in a death grip, although she was very much alive at this stage. Bright blue eyes darted around the room in nothing short of panic.
'Help me.'
Loosening her shaking grip on his arms, Doctor Mallard lowered her gently to the floor. For the first time for as long as anyone could remember, he was lost for words as he looked down into the face of one he was sure he knew.