Chapter 1

"Jack? I've got a job for you." Detective Inspector Charles Wilson called to Detective Sergeant Jack Adams from his office.

Jack sighed and got up from his desk. He'd just been promoted to DS status and was finding the responsibility more than he thought it would be.

"Yes Guv, what is it?" He asked.

DI Wilson took his normal place behind his desk and gestured to Jack to close the door. "It's a tricky one, Jack. We're not sure exactly what's happening and we need to find this out." He opened a file and handed it to Jack.

'Professor Paul Blythe, born 1947 in Colchester, educated ... blah, blah, blah ... degrees in electromagnetism, optics and electronics, worked for IBM until 1992 when he was fired for acquiring parts for private use, company refused to press charges and so he was released, has been working for several companies and lastly for the British Government with security clearance ... details of work restricted to level 9 clearance only.' Jack's eyebrows rose as he read the file and the last section made him look over the file to his boss.

"So what's this got to do with us? He's working for the Government and so we can't touch him," Jack said.

"He's reported several strange events and wants a security expert to check things out. And that's where you come in," Wilson said.

Jack shook his head. "Me? But what do I know about such things? I've just had basic and weapons training."

"You won't be alone; you're acting as back-up for the expert. She should be here soon." As Wilson spoke there was a knock on the door. "Ah. That should be her." He finished waving his hand.

A young woman entered and looked around; Jack immediately got to his feet and studied her. She was beautiful, with blonde hair and blues eyes framed by large glasses. Her look said she knew the effect she had on men, but that she was untouchable.

"Detective Inspector Wilson?" She regarded both men, and then concentrated on Wilson as she spoke.

Wilson got up and nodded. "You are Agent Pulse from—" But the woman held up her hand.

"Please, just call me Susan. I find that people seem to get nervous when I mention where I come from, and that makes my job difficult. I understand you will provide me with ... protection?" Coming from Susan, the word took on a different meaning.

"That's me." Jack spoke up. Finding his voice had risen an octave, he coughed and then repeated in his normal tone, "I'm DS Adams. Jack."

Susan smiled, and Jack felt his heart melt in the heat of her smile. "Hello. Jack, please relax. I'm not going to eat you," Susan said, which made Jack want to offer her the first course. He shook his head.

"Of course not. Now, why do you need protection? Has there been a problem with Professor Blythe before?"

Susan frowned and looked at Wilson. "I'm sorry, DS Wilson, but the information I have is strictly on a need-to-know basis, and although Jack here is required to know, I'm afraid you are not. If I may have use of your office... ?" Her tone was warm enough, but her eyes were serious.

Wilson looked slightly abashed."Of course. If you need anything..." He got up from his desk.

"Don't worry. We won't be long," Susan said as Wilson left the office. She closed the door and pulled down the blind so that nobody could see in.

She sat on the desk and sighed. "Sod it, I hate all this cloak and dagger stuff. Now Jack, if you can pull your eyes in and concentrate." Her tone was now serious and not at all inviting. "I have to ask you to read this and to sign it." She handed Jack a typewritten sheet of paper.

He scanned the words and looked up. "You mean it? Once I sign this..."

"Whatever you learn or hear is covered by the Official Secrets Act. If you even think about saying anything, you'll be arrested and kept without trial. If you don't sign, you will also be arrested. If you weren't needed then I wouldn't be telling you even this." She explained.

'Damned if I do, damned if I don't, ' Jack thought as he took a pen and signed his name with a flourish.

Susan smiled. "Thanks, Jack. You are now officially detached from duty here and are part of my team ... which is just you and me at the moment." She handed Jack a thicker folder from a case she was carrying.

"More information on Professor Blythe. Although he's regarded as highly intelligent, he is also eccentric in his inventions. We have several examples of his work: the x-ray glasses that will highlight weapons and bombs on a person — currently being deployed in the middle-east — the only side effects are blinding headaches if used for more than 30 minutes; the indestructible Missile, which will demolish buildings and then return to the tank that sent it, and then explodes again. He also invented the formula for a corrosive that is so powerful that we can't put it in anything." She looked at Jack. "In short, he's a real find, but his inventions have severe drawbacks.

"He recently reported finding two bodies in his house. They had identification on them that he passed on to my superiors."

Jack glanced at the two photographs she handed to him, and then looked again in bewilderment. His face — it was his — was in one picture and Susan's was on the other, but from the way they looked, it was obvious that they were both dead.

He looked up. "But..." he started.

Susan nodded. "That's my first opinion: somebody's made these up to look like us, so we've been asked to check on both the bodies and also the reason why they were in the Professor's house. He's reported some strange objects on both bodies, and has asked for somebody to check them out." She took out a requisition order which had been signed by the Chief Constable and handed it to Jack.

He read the order which authorised him to check out a pistol and two rounds of ammo, along with a taser, he looked at Susan.

"You are checked out for the weapons, are you not?" She asked.

"Well yes, but I don't really like them," Jack admitted.

"But if you have to, you will be able to use a gun?" Susan pressed. Jack nodded. "Good. Then we'd better get you equipped, and then it's off to the Professor's."

They soon got the gun and taser, both with holsters and securely restrained with Velcro that enabled quick access but still held them in. Jack took Susan to his car, an Austin Allegro - it was in a faded metallic blue colour and had a number of dents and scrapes along its sides.

She wrinkled her nose. "Good grief, what is it?" She asked.

Jack turned to look at her. "That is my car. What else do you expect me to drive on my wages? I'm not Inspector Morse, you know." He said, defending his transport.

Susan gingerly pulled on the handle to open the door, surprised to see a CD radio was installed underneath a more ancient AM/FM unit. Jack sat down in the driver's seat and turned the key. The engine fired, spluttered, and then fired again.

"It always does that," he confided with a smile.

As they drove off, he noticed Susan looking around at the interior. "This is the 1500 LE version. That's why the paint is Astral Blue Metallic — that was one of the main colours available for this particular model," He said, smiling. The truth was that he was trying to get rid of the car, but couldn't afford to.

"Oh ... good." Susan didn't know what to say, so she changed the subject. "The preliminary report from the Professor states that he found some strange objects in the pockets of the man and the handbag of the woman. He seemed most happy to have them for some reason."

"Why would he be happy about finding dead people in his house?" Jack mused.

"He thought that it proved a connection to another world where he also exists," Susan said, looking back through the notes.

"How long have you been working on this?" Jack asked her when she stopped talking for a moment.

She bit her lip and looked at him. "This is my first assignment. I've only just gone through the probation period. I think you've had more time as a DS than I have in The Service," Susan admitted.

Jack thought for a moment. "So who's actually in charge of this team?"

Susan sighed. "I knew that would come up when I told you. As far as my bosses are concerned, I'm the head of the team, but I'm willing for you to take the lead," She said finally.

Jack shook his head. "Susan, you are putting yourself down too much. Your attitude in Wilson's office was perfect. You were in charge and taking charge. Just because you don't think you have the—" Jack gave a laugh. "—I was going to say 'balls' there, but I'll just say experience instead. Don't let your lack of experience put you off. You will be in charge and I'll be your second in command, but if I suggest something, I hope you will listen to me."

Susan let out the breath she was holding. "Thank you Jack. I thought that if you knew about me, then you'd just let me fall on my face."

"With a body like yours, I'd be under it first." Jack said, and then rubbed his shoulder when Susan struck him. "What was that for?" He asked.

"I've been trying to make people look beyond my body and see what I'm capable of. This is the first time I've been given the chance, and no-one can look above my tits! I'm more than that you know." She complained, her eyes flashing in irritation.