Doctor Who_ Corpse Marker - Chris Boucher [32]
The Doctor said, ‘She reminds me of that Taren Capel character. She does a better robot impression than he did as a matter of fact.’
‘It’s the current fashion,’ Uvanov said.
‘Really? I wonder why,’ the Doctor said. ‘It’s not particularly flattering. Or perhaps it is? I was told recently that my fashion sense is somewhat idiosyncratic.’
‘The robot style is catching on all over the city,’ Uvanov said, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. ‘Are you telling me you’ve never seen it before?’
The Doctor shook his head doubtfully. ‘Or anything like it as far as I can remember.’
‘You expect me to believe that?’
‘Why should I lie? The truth is so difficult to find and hold on to that deliberately lying has always seemed pointlessly destructive to me.’ The Doctor sat down in the chair opposite Uvanov. ‘I do seem to remember saving your life, Uvanov.’
‘Yes, I remember that too.’
‘And quite possibly saving your civilisation.’
Uvanov grinned mirthlessly. ‘But what have you done for me recently?’ He leaned forward. ‘Look, I know I owe you but you have to see this from my point of view, Doctor,’ he said earnestly. ‘To this day I have no real idea how you got on to Storm Mine Four in the first place. And more to the point how you got off it again. I mean, what did you do, wait until the mine went to the bottom of the Blind Heart and then burrow out and walk back?’
The Doctor nodded sympathetically. ‘I can see your problem.’
‘Don’t patronise me,’ Uvanov hissed, suddenly furious. ‘I know you’re an agent. I know it’s you who’s been following me, you and that girl. I want to know why.’
‘You think Leela and I have been following you?’ the Doctor said. ‘What in the world gave you that idea?’
Uvanov jumped to his feet and banged both his fists on the table. ‘I want to know who it is you’re working for!’ he yelled.
His face was contorted with anger and fear. His eyes were filling with tears, several of the smaller facial muscles were twitching and spit flecked the corners of the mouth.
He looked to the Doctor almost like a caricature of a man in mental anguish, someone close to the ragged edge of madness.
He reached out and put his hands over Uvanov’s fists and held them down on the table. ‘Calm yourself, Uvanov. Don’t get so worked up. Try and relax.’
‘Relax?’ Uvanov shouted. ‘How can I relax?’
‘Deep breaths,’ the Doctor said. ‘Try taking some deep breaths.’
Uvanov shook his head but did make a visible effort to calm down and the Doctor released his fists.
‘Someone is targeting me, Doctor.’
‘Targeting you in what way?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘For what reason?’
‘I don’t know that either.’
‘Don’t you think that’s just a little paranoid?’ the Doctor suggested.
‘I want you to tell me who it is who wants me dead,’ Uvanov said flatly.
The Doctor frowned. ‘You want me to find out or you think I already know?’
Uvanov shrugged. ‘As long as you tell me.’
The Doctor snorted derisively. ‘I helped you once before and a lot of good it’s done me.’ He gestured round at the cell.
‘Give me one good reason why I should help you again?’
‘We can help each other.’ Uvanov said. ‘We’ve checked the facility from top to bottom, side to side and every other which-way. Your friend Leela’s not here.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘I’m quite sure.’
‘She might surprise you,’ the Doctor said. ‘She’s a very resourceful young woman. From what I’ve seen I don’t think your people are likely to be a match for her.’ He smiled to himself, amused to find that he felt some obscure pride in her warrior skills.
Uvanov sighed tiredly. ‘Despite what went on today our security surveillance is routinely solid. I think she went with the terrorists. If you want her back alive you’re going to need my help.’ He offered his hand. ‘Have we got a deal?’
Chapter Five
Before Leela stirred or opened her eyes she checked where she was and what was going on around her. It was a trick she had learned as a warrior novice, a training routine developed to hone the senses and keep the survival instinct sharp. Recently she had started to practise it again so that now it was almost automatic.