Tunnels 03, Freefall

croaked.
    The man's hollow-cheeked face was emotionless as his piercing eyes met those of the befuddled Dr. Burrows.
    The Limiter passed something to Rebecca.
    "Here, have some of this meat. You don't want to know where it came from, but at least it tastes reasonable when it's cooked," she said, tearing a piece off and stuffing it into Dr. Burrows' mouth.
    He chewed on it gratefully, studying the Rebecca twin and the Limiter as he did so.'
    The food was doing the trick, and he perked up immediately. "How did you--?"
    "More?" she asked, shoving another chunk of the spider-monkey flesh into his mouth before he could respond.
    "I don't understand what you're doing here. You should be at home," he reprimanded her, although it lost most of its effect because his mouth was full. "Does your mother know where you are?" he demanded.
    The twin couldn't suppress a giggle.

    * * * * *

    Mrs. Burrows was sitting behind a microphone, into which she'd been talking. Bright lights were shining in her eyes and their heat was making her perspire. She never imagined it would be like this, her first time ever on the small screen. She was realizing a lifelong wish -- she was actually appearing on television! But what was more important to her was that her case was finally receiving the attention it deserved.
    The public appeal for information on her missing family was the last item on the police program, and she was in a large studio with people with clipboards and wearing earpieces, all buzzing around chaotically as if none of them really knew where they were meant to be. Mrs. Burrows had spotted that a number of policemen on the 'Highfield Family Case', as it was being called, were mulling around in the wings. When she met their eyes, they all gave her shifty looks. It was clear to her she was still the prime suspect in the case, although there wasn't a shred of evidence against her. But if they didn't believe what she had told them, then why were they allowing her to make this public appeal, she asked herself. Were they hoping she'd be lulled into a false sense of security and give something away? She couldn't understand why they would go to these lengths.
    Concentrate , she told herself as she read the final paragraph of the statement the police psychologist had helped her to draft.
    "... because somebody must know where they've gone or what's happened to them," Mrs. Burrows said, letting out a tremulous breath. She stared into the camera lens, as if too upset to go on. "So please, if you know anything, anything at all, you must contact the police. I just want my family back."
    The red light on top of the camera went out, and another one blinked on as DI Blakemore took over. He was wearing his best suit, and he'd had a new haircut specially for the occasion. And as he spoke earnestly to the camera, he raised a single eyebrow as if he thought he was James Bond. Mrs. Burrows had never seen him do it before. "We are now treating the circumstances surrounding the disappearances of Dr. Roger Burrows and Will and Rebecca, and Will's school friend Chester Rawls, as being highly suspicious."
    Mrs. Burrows watched a TV monitor at the side of the camera which showed what was actually being broadcast as DI Blakemore continued to speak. Various photographs she'd provided of her family were flashing up, followed by a recent school picture of Chester in his HighfieldHigh School uniform. Then DI Blakemore was on the screen again. Before he spoke, he paused dramatically, the eyebrow creeping even higher up his forehead as if it might detach itself altogether. "This is an enhanced still taken from CCTV footage." A grainy black-and-white image came on the screen. "It shows a woman we'd like to talk to in relation to the case. She's about five foot eight tall, of slim build, and possibly has dyed-brown hair, although her natural color may be blonde or even white. She's in her early to mid thirties, and may still be in the London area. And here's an artist's impression to give a clearer idea of what she might look like." Another picture came up on the monitor. "If you have any information in relation to her present whereabouts, the incident room number is..."
    Mrs. Burrows stopped listening as, through the glare of the studio lights, she spotted Chester's parents at the edge of the sound stage. Mr. Rawls was supporting Mrs. Rawls -- they looked as though she was crying and couldn't stand by herself.

    * * * * *

    Mrs. Burrows said goodbye to DI Blakemore