Thursday 2 August 2012

"DRAGON'S EAR & DRUID'S SPEAR" Part 3

OK folks, here is part 3 of this intriguing story:




"DRAGON'S EAR & DRUID'S SPEAR" Part 3



In the car, Katie questioned Ben further:

"Look Ben, what the hell is going on? Huh? You disappear for hours and then suddenly return saying that you've arranged a country break? What about the case?" Ben gave a shrug:

"Who cares. We need a break from all this. Lighten up Katie."

"Don't ¤¤¤¤ing tell me to lighten up. Where did you go to?"

"Oh I just went for a walk. And to arrange the break. Chill out", ben replied with a smile. Kyle gave Katie a worried look:

"Ere for once I agree with Katie here. This ain't like you Ben, its like you're not yourself. The old Prof told us the 'ospital where the missing student dude's girlfriend is. Lets go there an' see 'er before we go anywhere else." Ben smiled:

"Ok Kyle, thats fine. Then we'll go to the country retreat." Kyle frowned:

"See, thats what I mean. That ain't like you Ben. Normally you'd 'ave said summat like, "I don't need you telling me what to do Kyle", or some other arsy comment. You being fair and reasonable ain't really you." Ben laughed:

"I'm happy Kyle. And I really value your suggestions." Kyle looked even more puzzled.



Arriving at the hospital, Kyle spoke to a receptionist and found out the ward that Gabriella Dent was in. They took the lift to level four and walked into Ward 32. A stern nurse asked them to use the hand steriliser on the wall before entering. They were shown to a private room where Gabriella Dent sat propped up in ben watching television.

"Hi Miss Dent. Were like investigating what 'appened to you. We belong to an organisation called Operation Delta" Kyle explained. Gabriella stared blankly at him:

"I've already told everything to the police". Katie switched off the tv and scowled:

"Well we arn't the police so you will damn well have to explain it all again won't you." Ben meanwhile had sat down on a side chair and was looking out of the window , grinning and completely disinterested in Gabriella, who began to talk.

"We were all having fun at the party.It was like really steamin' and Elliot was about to go upstairs with me when *starts to cry*"

"When what?" Katie demanded.

"... this thing, it just came crashing through the french windows..it bit into them.. blood.. so much blood."

"Well? What was it. Describe the damn thing!" Katie shouted. Kyle pulled her to one side:

"Hey, can't you see she's upset? Let me talk to 'er."

"Get you hands off my arm Kyle or I will shove your chavboy face into that wall."Kyle let go of Katie and moved towards Gabriella:

"Soz about all that. You just take your time and try to explain."

"I can't remember much, it was all so quick. It was a reptile thing... it killed Elliot. I keep seeing the blood... it bit into his face......*becoming hysterical* blood all over him it was horrible........"

Kyle let her cry on his shoulder:

"Hey you're ok now".

"Stop trying to pull her Kyle and tell her to stop snivelling" Katie stated, using her face mirror to apply some fresh lipstick. Kyle ignored her.

"Where did all this 'appen Gabriella?"

"It was a place called Ashbourne Manor. Elliot hired it for the weekend from a man called Kerrigan from the University."

"What, Professor Kerrigan the eminent historian?" Katie interjected.

"Yes thats him." Throughout the interview Ben remained silent and stared out of the window.



As they were leaving the room, two official looking men arrived.

"Excuse me, but are you relatives of Miss Dent?" one of them asked. Katie frowned:

"No we are from Operation Delta *shows membership card*. I presume you are from the police. Have you spoken to Professor Kerrigan yet?"

"Er yes Miss, but I really don't see why this should be any concern of yours.We are satisfied that Miss Dent is suffering from post intoxication delusions brought on by the consumption of illegal substances. There is nothing much else to all of this." Kyle is annoyed:

"What, you mean you're just dismissin' 'er like that? What about the other students who she says 'ave been killed?"

The detective laughs:

"We are investigating that yes. Why else do you think we are here? However I'm pretty much satisfied that they've all just taken off backpacking and that Miss Dent's boyfriend left her behind because he was tired of her. we found nothing untoward at all at the Manor and certainly no monsters *laughing again*"

"You're out of order mate. This ain't some big laugh, the girl is traumatised" Kyle exclaimed.

"As far as we are concerned Sir the case is closed. We will not be bringing charges against Miss Dent, despite the toxicology reports."



Outside in the car Kyle was still seething.

"Their attitude was bang out of order". Katie gave a shrug:

"You're just anti-police."

"Yeah ok, I ain't exactly got reason to trust the coppers, but they were just dismissin' everything she said as fantasy just because she'd done a few drugs at the party."

"Well maybe they're right."

"Yeah pull the 'aver one. A group of kids don't just take off backpackin in the middle of a party with no word to anyone and no phones or any way of contactin' em."

Throughout the conversation, Ben stared out of the car window grinning. He suddenly turned round:

"Can we go now. We need a break in the country." Katie stared at him:

"And where have you booked us into Ben?"

"Oh its a nice country house retreat called Ashbourne Manor........"



.........to be continued.

Book recommendation: "Electric Eden' Rob Young

I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in English cultural history and roots music. Its absolutely superb.

Wednesday 1 August 2012

"DRAGON'S EAR & DRUID'S SPEAR" Part 2

OK folks. The plot thickens.




"DRAGON'S EAR & DRUID'S SPEAR" Part 2



Kyle and Katie, having searched the toilets and all through the McDonalds, rushed outside and looked around the car park. However there was no sign of Ben.

"Ring his damn mobile again!" Katie shouted.

"I 'ave done. Its switched off as I said" Kyle answered, looking into the car windows.

"Well I'm going back inside. The food will be ready by now" Katie said, flouncing back into the building. Kyle searched the car park a while longer before joining her.

"So should we like go back to Ben's apartment an 'ope he like just turns up?" Kyle asked.

"*munching a burger* No Kyle. Use your brain. We are on a case and will go and see this Renfew guy. If Ben is likely to turn up anywhere it is there", Katie replied.

"Hows about we contact Torchwood an get 'em to trace Ben using that gear they 'ave that can track his mobile even when its switched off?"

"Later Kyle. For all we know Ben has simply pulled someone and gone off with them. You know what he's like".





A short time later, Katie and Kyle were sitting in Professor Renfew's study. The room was extremely untidy with piles of books and unmarked assignments strewn around. Professor Renfew was an elderly academic with grey unkempt hair, a whispy beard andthick glasses. He wore a dowdy tweed suit.

"Now then, oh how nice it is to have visitors. Would you both like a cup of tea or would you prefer coffee".

"Ere I'd love a coffee" Kyle said.

"Two coffees please" Katie added.

"Oh splendid, splendid. Its so good to know that Ben has such delightful friends. Later I'll show you my latest research on iron age burial mounds in Dorset". Katie is bemused:

"We haven't got time to listen to you rabbit on about your latest academic research. We are here to follow up this missing student case that you contacted Ben about."

The Professor poured out the coffees and brought them over.

"Here you are. Surely you'll stay for a while though."

"Look just tell us about the student" Katie demanded.

"Oh dear well its all so strange you see. Elliot Rhys-Mandeville is his name. A brilliant young man, simply brilliant. He was sure to get a first, his reasearch project on the Winderbourne barrows was pioneering. It completely altered my understanding of late-neolithic burial practices."

"Never mind all that , how has he disappeared?" Katie demanded.

"Well he was always a rather lively young fellow and he had organised a party with his friends to celebrate his birthday. And then he and his group of friends simply vanished. The police visited the house that they had hired for the party and found no trace of them or of anything out of the ordinary. They believe that the group of them just took off travelling on a whim or something."

"An' you think otherwise like?" Kyle asked.

"Oh yes. Its simply not like Elliot. He may have been a bit wild but he was totally committed to his studies. He wouldn't just take off and throw away his degree. Also there are Miss Dent's statements."

"Miss Dent?"

"Oh yes. Gabriella Dent, Elliot's girlfriend. Flighty piece she is. They found her staggering down the A16 at five in the morning screaming about dragons. Has been institutionalised since".

"What do you mean 'about dragons'"? Katie asked.

"Oh lots of stuff about dragons killing her friends. Clearly the girl is deranged however there is something odd behind all of it as I told Ben."



After finishing the coffees, Katie insisted that they leave. Kyle was rather annoyed with her as they walked to the car.

"Ere we could 'ave let the old boy tell us about his work. He seemed a lonely sort."

"Oh perlease! We'd have been there for another two hours listening to the boring old get. I have a degree in Archaeology but even I'd draw the line at listening to him drone on about his pet projects. And you would have been bored stiff."

"Why'd you say that?"

"Because Kyle you are completely uneducated and your interests are daytime TV and petty crime" Katie replied laughing.

"Ere that ain't fair. That was me once yes. But I'm a different bloke now, I've learned stuff since working for Ben............"

Kyle stopped in mid-sentence as they saw Ben waiting for them by the car. He looked dazed and was leaning over the front. Katie rushed forward:

"Where the hell have you been Ben? Drinking?" Ben stood upright.

"Of course not... I can't remember.... Anyway it doesn't matter. Lets go."

"What do you mean it doesn't matter? And go where?"

"We are going on holiday. I've booked us in at a top class country retreat. We all need a break." Kyle and Katie look at each other.

"Ere Ben you sure you're ok like?" Kyle asked.

"Never felt better Kyle. Now lets go."





..............to be continued.

New Doomwatch Books!

Two new Doomwatch books are being published, both by Michael Seely. The first is a collection of complete scripts of missing episodes and is out now.

The second is a complete guide to Doomwatch. Both are essential purchases.