Doctor Who: Virgin New Adventures - Bernice Summerfield [070] - Tempest by Christopher Bulis

Author:Christopher Bulis
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Science-Fiction - Doctor Who
Publisher: Virgin
Published: 1998-01-27T23:00:00+00:00

11

HEAVY WEATHER

Bernice frowned at the view through the window and checked her watch. ‘Is it my imagination or is it getting dark rather early, even allowing for us travelling north?’

The normal ochre tint of the boiling clouds overhead was darkening to umber and purple, highlighting the lightning forks that played about their undersides.

‘You’re right,’ Ferlane agreed. ‘It looks like there’s a change on the way. Let’s go and get the latest forecast from Bassit.’

They were in the last of the Economy cars, just before the freight section. They had been making a show of their presence by slowly walking the length of the train like policemen on the beat, talking to the passengers and trying to reassure them after the disturbing scenes at Roaring Canyon. Much as she disliked the idea, Bernice would have preferred to have some sort of uniform to wear. In the closed environment it would have given them a useful psychological advantage. Even a silver star marked DEPUTY would have helped.

They had almost reached Bassit’s office in Service 1, when his voice came over the public address speakers.

‘Your attention, please. We have received notification of a severe storm system building ahead of us over the entire Tharus region. There is estimated to be a fifty-five per cent chance of class ten turbulence and precipitation conditions. Therefore we must reduce speed to comply with safety directives until conditions improve. Thank you.’

They felt the train slowing even as he finished speaking.

‘We wanted a tail wind, not this,’ Bernice said angrily, making for Bassit’s door.

‘Never rely on the weather on Tempest,’ Ferlane said.

Bassit looked up tiredly as they entered. ‘You heard?’

‘We couldn’t miss it. How long is it going to delay us?’

‘Half a day, perhaps.’

‘Any other news?’

‘I was just going to call you.’ He handed over some fresh police department printouts. ‘They concern Mr Merch. It seems he left his previous employment under something of a cloud.’

‘Then why did he want to come to Tempest?’ Bernice said gloomily. ‘Sorry, that just slipped out. It must be the weather.’

Ferlane was reading the sheets rapidly. ‘His previous employers were Gallard & Row of Fomalhout, dealers in rare and precious gems. So it wasn’t just a hobby with him, he really knew his stuff.’

‘Why did he leave?’ Bernice asked. ‘Selling powered furniture seems a less prestigious profession.’

‘Mmm. Apparently a small parcel of stones went missing. Merch was suspected but nothing could be proven. He “voluntarily” took early retirement to save everybody any further inconvenience, but all along he maintained he was innocent.’

‘Did he now, that’s very interesting,’ Bernice mused. ‘Even supposing he was innocent then, he might still be embittered enough to try his hand at the real thing, since he’s already been branded a thief anyway. And if he was guilty, stealing the Imnulate would just be another step up the ladder.’

‘And working with gems he might have learnt something about security systems?’ suggested Bassit.

‘Maybe,’ Ferlane agreed. ‘But we didn’t find anything suspicious amongst his possessions.’

‘Apart from the missing phone and computer cores,’ Bernice reminded him.

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