The Senior Judge called upon the Doctor. "We will now hear a statement from the representative of the accused and convicted.'
The Doctor rose to his feet. Compared with the tall, resplendent figure of his opponent, the Doctor created an almost comical impression with his dusty frock-coat and straggly, long white hair. But his eyes, as they swept over the assembled courtroom, conveyed a powerful air of authority and a sudden hush fell on the room.
"Let me begin by saying that the murderer, without any doubt, is in this chamber.'
There was a loud gasp.
"The trouble is,' the Doctor continued, "he is not under arrest, and my young friend here, is.'
The Senior Judge leaned forward. "Can you substantiate this?' He looked severe.
"I can.'
Another wave of astonishment flowed across the room.
"In a moment,' announced the Doctor in a loud voice, "you will know his identity. Now I shall call my first witness.'
He motioned to Sabetha. She walked to the centre of the courtroom. From the table the Doctor selected a large blow-up picture of one of the keys.
"This is a reproduction of the stolen micro-circuit.' He held it aloft.
Susan, leaning forward to gain a better view, suddenly noticed the guard Aydon fidgeting nervously in his seat.
The Doctor turned to Sabetha. "Do you recognise it?'
"Yes.'
"Do you know where it is now?'
"Yes, I do.'
"Then please tell the tribunal its present location.'
"Right here.' Sabetha held up the key for all to see. There was a loud intake of breath from the rows of spectators. Again Susan noticed Aydon shifting uneasily.
"Will you tell me where you got it?'
"It was given to me by the man who killed the guard.'
"Is he here?'
"Yes.'
"Then please point him out.'
The courtroom fell completely silent.
"There. Sitting in the front row.' Sabetha pointed at Aydon.
The courtroom erupted. Aydon leaped from his seat and tried to reach the door, but was immediately enveloped in a milling throng. Tarron and Eyson fought their way towards him, as did his wife, Kala.
"She couldn't have found it,' yelled Aydon as the crowd jostled him. "I hid it too well.' A desperate, hunted look came over his thin face. "I'm not alone in this,' he burbled, "they made me do it... I'll tell...'
From within the crowd around him there came a spurt of blue flame. There was a chilling scream and for a moment Aydon's body hung in the air, its convulsed shape etched against the watching faces by a peculiar light. Then the dead man slumped to the ground. The crowd fell back horrified. Beside the body, as if by magic, appeared a ray-pistol, undoubtedly the murder weapon dropped by someone in the throng.
Susan fought her way through the crowd. She caught sight of Tarron, Eyson, and Larn, all near the dead man. Then, a stifled sob rent the air and Kala fell, weeping over the body.
An hour later order had been restored to the courtroom. The body had been removed and Kala assisted from the scene.
The Doctor, Eyson, and the three judges were conferring informally at the front of the room.
"And so you see,' explained the Doctor, "the micro-circuit that Sabetha showed to the court was not in actual fact the one stolen from the vault.
The Senior Judge looked at him gravely. "You say you have three of the circuits in your possession?'
"Yes. We came here to recover the last one. They will then all be returned to Arbitan.'
The Senior Judge sniffed. "The fact remains that the fourth circuit is missing.'
"Still in the place where it was hidden by the murderer Chesterton,' said Eyson.
"Surely you don't still believe he's guilty,' the Doctor remarked cuttingly. "I admit we resorted to a subterfuge when Sabetha accused Aydon of giving her the key, but I think the results justified our means.'
The Senior Judge broke in. "There are a number of other points that we would like cleared up.' He consulted a list and began detailing them one by one.
Across the well of the court Tarron was explaining his next move to the others.'... and I'm having psycho-metric tests made on the weapon that killed Aydon.'
"Psychometric tests?' queried Ian.
"Yes. Experts are able to divine from an object the characteristics of the person who last had contact with that object.'
"Whoever killed Aydon,' said Ian, "must have been connected with the theft. If he'd lived a little longer he might have told us everything.'
"It was his wife I felt sorry for,' said Barbara. "It must have been an awful shock, first of all to learn he was a murderer, then to see him killed right in front of her...' She shivered.
"The doctors have given her oblivator drugs and taken her home to rest,' explained Tarron.
Their attention was interrupted by a signal for the court to reconvene. As everyone settled in their seats Altos whispered to Barbara: "Where's Susan?'
"Gone to get Ian's statement.'
Ian had returned to the prisoner's dais. The Senior Judge waited for silence, then commenced. "It is clear that Aydon was involved in either the theft or the killing. It is also clear that he had an accomplice. Bearing in mind that the accused came here with the express purpose of recovering the micro-circuit, and remembering the evidence against him, his guilt becomes even more obvious. Will the prosecutor please summarise.'
Eyson rose and addressed the court.
"Despite the dramatics and hysterics of recent events,' he nodded sombrely towards the spot where the killing had occurred, "very little has changed. I submit that the accused, did, by threat or coercion, involve Aydon in robbery and murder. His dying words were, “They made me do it”.' He glanced at the front row of spectators where Barbara and the others were seated. "“They” are the accused and his companions. “They” were standing near Aydon when he was killed. One of them is responsible for his death. Which one, we will know when the Guardian division have completed their tests. I submit that the defence has offered no new evidence, and that the sentence of the tribunal be carried out.' He sat down, flushed and breathing heavily with emotion.
At this moment Larn, the Duty Officer, made his way to the front and beckoned to Barbara and the others. Relieved to get away from the public's gaze they quickly followed him.
Outside in the hall Larn handed Barbara a sealed envelope. "A messenger brought this for you,' he said and returned to his desk.
Inside the envelope was a note in an unknown hand.
"What is it?' asked Sabetha.
"It says, “There will be another death if you disclose where the circuit is hidden”!'
Altos grabbed the paper. "Barbara, do you see what this means? It proves there is somebody else involved. We must show this to Tarron and the Doctor.'
Barbara pondered a moment. "But what does it mean... “another death”... Whose death?'
A buzzer sounded on Larn's desk. He called Barbara across. "Someone wishes to speak to you.' Larn handed her the receiver and moved off towards the courtroom.
"Hallo?' said Barbara hesitantly.
A female voice, frightened, sounded in her ear. "I want to speak to Barbara Wright.'.
"Susan?'
"They made me call you.'
Barbara gripped the speaker tightly. "Who? Susan! Who?'
There was a pause then Susan's voice came through again, loud and urgent. "Barbara, listen it's the...' The rest was muffled.
"Susan... Susan... Are you there?...'
There was a long pause then Susan's voice, whispering but clear, said, "They're going to kill me.'
The line went dead. Barbara slowly replaced the receiver, white-faced.
11: The Missing Key
"We must tell Tarron,' urged Sabetha.
"No! The Doctor must have his mind clear to concentrate on Ian.' Barbara lowered her voice. "Besides, how do we know Tarron isn't implicated? Who'd suspect the Chief Enquirer? He was nea
r Aydon when he was killed.'
"So what do we do?'
Barbara thought hard, then said, "Aydon was the only one we know for certain was connected with the crime. That's why he was killed. He must have been in contact with the others when they were planning the robbery. His wife might recall someone he was seeing a lot of?'
"If she does, do you think she'll tell us?' It was Altos who spoke. "She must be as keen to find the man that killed her husband as we are.'
This point was agreed and they hurried off to interview Kala immediately.
Meanwhile the judges inside the courtroom had reached their conclusion. The Senior Judge rose and addressed the Court. "The Tribunal concurs with the case of the prosecution. While it has deprived us of more detailed evidence, the unfortunate death of Guardian Aydon has not affected the central issue.' A ghost of a smile flitted across the Chief Prosecutor's face. The judge turned to the Doctor. "We will hear the closing statement for the defence.
The Doctor stood up. "I must beg the indulgence of the tribunal and ask for time to prepare new evidence.'
"Denied. No purpose would be served in delaying these proceedings further. If you have nothing to add, the accused will be taken from here and executed in the prescribed manner.'
Ian suddenly swayed as if about to fall. A guard helped him regain his balance. Ian shot the Doctor a desperate glance. The Doctor gave a hopeless shrug of the shoulders in reply. He knew it would now take a miracle to save Ian.
Ian was led from the courtroom and placed in a different cell, devoid of furniture. No mirror, washbasin, bed or stool, no window, no light. A heavy metal door, six inches thick, was all that broke the monotony of the concrete walls. This was the death cell.
Through a small porthole in the door Ian could see a clock in the corridor. The dial was divided into starred segments. There was a single hand. A uniformed guard was posted outside.
"How long do I have?' Ian asked.
"Execution is set for the time when the pointer reaches the big star.'
Ian calculated he had three or four hours left to live.
Aydon's wife paced her flat nervously. Several times she stopped by the phone but fought back the impulse to dial. Finally, she sat before a mirror and began applying make-up to her tear-stained face.
She was interrupted by the door-bell. Puzzled, she rose and went to answer it.
"You!' Kala fell back in surprise at the sight of Barbara, Sabetha and Altos.
"I'm sorry to come here at a time like this,' Barbara apologised. "We know what a terrible ordeal you've been through, but we think you can help us.'
Kola's bright gaze flicked across their faces, betraying no emotion. "I don't think so. I know nothing.'
"Please. May we come in?'
A moment's pause, then, "If you must.' Kala ushered them into the living room.
"Thank you,' said Barbara. Turning to Kala with a serious look, she said, "The people who killed your husband have kidnapped Susan, the young girl who was with our party.'
"They've threatened to kill her too,' added Altos. "We thought you might recall someone your husband had been seeing a lot of.'
Kala regarded the earnest face of the young man for a few moments, then replied, "I know of no-one. My husband was very secretive. He didn't tell me who he saw or where he went.' Her lower lip trembled and suddenly she was fighting back the tears. "Now, please... Aydon is dead... If he has committed a crime, he's paid for it... but I'll have to live with the memory of his crime for the rest of my life.' She looked away, stifling a sob.
"I'm sorry,' said Barbara gently, "but you see, you're our only hope.'
Kola crossed the room and stood with her back to them, twisting her fingers nervously. "Leave me alone,' she said quietly and with dignity. "I do understand and I sympathise with you. You must have been sick with worry since you spoke to her, but I just can't help you.' She turned away, her face tear-stained and grief-stricken. "I know nothing.'
There was an embarrassed silence, then Barbara said, "I'm sorry. You understand, we had to try.'
The woman nodded and they left the room.
Kala remained motionless until she heard the outer door close, then her face broke into a slow, evil grin. She stepped quickly to a bedroom door and threw it open. Inside, roped to a chair, was Susan, her mouth tightly gagged with sticky-tape.
"Your friends were here looking for you,' said the older woman. "No... don't look hopeful.' She smiled. "They've gone and won't be back. They're like the rest of them. Stupid.' She gave a bitter laugh.
Suddenly the telephone rang. Susan's eyes followed the sway of Kala's elegant body across the living room and into the hall.
"Yes?'
Susan strained to hear the caller's voice. It was a man's. "The trial has just ended,' it said, faint and distorted. "Chesterton is to be executed at the next zenith.' Susan's heart missed a beat.
"Good. The old man didn't say where the circuit was hidden?'
"No,' said the voice. "I'm certain he doesn't know. I'll get it later, then come for you. Be ready.'
"I will. What about the child?'
Susan's eyes widened.
"She's no more use now. She can identify you. Kill her.'
"We must tell the Doctor about Susan,' said Altos as the three friends hurried back to the courtroom.
"We should have done it right away,' said Barbara, regretting every second of the delay she had caused "I'll never forgive myself.'
Sabetha squeezed her hand reassuringly. "I know what you mean. Susan sounded so afraid.'
Barbara halted and looked at her in amazement. "What is it?'
"What you've just said! Kala couldn't have known!'
"Known what?'
"Kala said we must have been sick with worry since we spoke to Susan. How did she know we'd spoken to Susan. We've told no-one!'
The others stared at her.
"Then...' stuttered Altos, grasping the implication for the first time, "... then she must have been with her when she called!'
They turned and raced back towards Kala's apartment.
Susan watched through the open door as Kala crossed to a drawer and took out a slim, metallic pistol. A vision of Aydon, convulsed and screaming in the court-room, flashed before Susan's eyes. Kala approached her and carefully aimed the gun at the back of Susan's head.
Then, suddenly, Susan glimpsed a movement behind Kala's shoulder. Kala's finger was on the trigger when Altos knocked her arm upwards and wrenched the gun away. In the same instant Barbara pinioned her other arm and together they dragged her back across the room.
"Let me go! Let me go!'
Kala kicked and spat like an alley cat before collapsing, weeping, to the floor.
The Doctor sat hunched on a bench in the Court corridor, staring morosely at the tiled floor. The Chief Enquirer, Tarron, was busy at the desk leafing through a pile of official-looking papers.
Eyson, the Prosecuting Counsel, emerged from the courtroom still holding his notes. He caught sight of the dejected figure of the Doctor in the corner and stepped over to him.
"Don't take it too hard,' he said.
"Eh? What?' The Doctor snapped out of his reverie and became aware of the tall, condescending presence of his opponent. "Oh, it's you,' he said.
"You did a fine, job on the defence. Of course you never had a hope.'
"I'm afraid you did a better job on the prosecution,' replied the Doctor generously.
Eyson bowed at the compliment. "I'm sorry we couldn't have met under happier circumstances,' he said. "Goodbye.' He bowed again and moved away to the desk.
The Doctor nodded politely but his attention was on the pile of exhibits which Larn, the Court Duty Officer, was carrying out of the courtroom. They included the blow-up photograph of the micro-key and the mace. Larn took them to Tarron at the desk.
"Excuse me. The exhibits and documents, sir. Where do you want them?'
"In there for now.' Tarron indicated a large cupboard beside the desk.
Larn nodded and started stowing the exhibits away.
Eyson gathered up his odds and ends and prepared to leave. "Well, I don't think there's anything else.' He smiled at Tarron, bowed politely towards the Doctor once more, and moved off down the corridor.
Tarron waited for Larn to lock the cupboard, then crossed to the Doctor's bench. "Time to leave, I'm afraid.'
"Leave?' The Doctor rose, agitated. "No, no. Can't leave now. We must find new evidence. Re-open the case...'
For the first time, something near to pity appeared on the face of the elegant young Inquisitor. He was about to speak when the telephone rang on the desk. Larn answered.
A woman's voice said, "I'd like to speak to Chief Enquirer Tarron.'
Larn signalled to Tarron who took the receiver.
"This is Tarron.'
"This is Barbara Wright speaking. Have you received the test results on the gun that killed Aydon?'
Tarron frowned. "Not yet.'
"Well just to save time I'll tell you what they say. Aydon was killed by his wife Kala.'
"What?' Tarron's expression registered complete astonishment.
"I'm with her now. Why don't you come and get her.' There was a sharp click.
Tarron hesitated, wondering whether or not to believe what he had just heard, then motioned to Larn. "Come on.'
The two men hurried out of the building.
A short time later the Doctor was reunited with Altos and the three women. After the story of Susan's rescue had been related to him, the Doctor reminded them that all was not yet resolved. Ian remained under sentence of death.
"But surely they'll stop the execution now that Kala's confessed,' insisted Altos.
Doctor Who And The Keys of Marinus Page 9
