Doctor Who_ The Algebra of Ice - Lloyd Rose [38]
‘I suppose you could say that. I design computer programs for the Inland Wa-terways Association.’
‘An excellent cover.’
80
The Algebra of Ice
Ethan shrugged. ‘Go to our website.’
‘I might do that. I might just do that. I see I’m dealing with a contaminated source here.’
‘If you say so.’
‘Oh I do, I definitely do. You’re not fooling me into putting any of your views into my story.’ Molecross suddenly looked exhausted. He slumped. ‘Do you mind if I spend the night here?’
‘Of course I mind! Are you out of –’
Ethan jumped up, but he was too late. Molecross had slid to the floor and into sleep, and no amount of shaking or thumping stirred him.
When the Doctor arrived in the morning with Ace, he showed more courtesy than usual by knocking. After a moment, the door cracked open and Ethan peered out warily. He was pale, and the area below his eyes was shadowed and puffy. The Doctor raised his hat politely.
‘Good morning. Were you expecting someone else?’
‘You never know,’ Ethan muttered.
‘You look knackered, mate,’ said Ace. He eased the door open and she popped in. ‘Good luck for you, I’ve brought some coffee.’ She stopped, frowning at the sleeping Molecross. ‘Who’s this then?’
‘Dear me,’ said the Doctor from behind her. ‘It’s Mr Molecross.’
‘Yeah,’ said Ethan.
Ace bent and examined Molecross curiously. ‘What’s he doing here?’
‘Having a nap,’ Ethan said dryly. ‘Before that we had an in-depth interview in which I turned out not to know anything useful.’
‘Mm.’ The Doctor closed the door quickly. ‘You didn’t mention me, did you?’
‘Don’t be daft,’ Ethan snapped. ‘But he mentioned you. He thinks you’re part of a government plot.’
‘Ah.’
‘Are you?’
‘Sometimes yes and sometimes no. In this case no.’ The Doctor tapped his chin with the handle of his umbrella. ‘We really should remove him.’
‘I thought of putting him in the hall, but it seemed not on, somehow.’
‘Oh, but he’ll be quite safe in the hall, don’t you think?’ said the Doctor brightly. ‘No pickpockets coming in and out or anything of that sort.’
‘Who knows? The front door lock’s been broken for weeks. Don’t do that!’
After searching in vain for a clear flat surface, Ace had put the coffee containers on the computer table. Ethan snatched them off and set them on the floor.
Chapter Nine
81
‘Sorry,’ Ace said sarcastically. The Doctor handed her his umbrella.
‘I’ll attend to Mr Molecross. Just open the door, will you, Ace?’ With surprisingly little effort considering his small size, he lifted Molecross under the armpits and started dragging him across the carpet. Molecross jerked and opened his eyes. ‘Oops.’ The Doctor dropped him and sprang back for the door but collided with Ace stepping forward to help. Molecross rolled over and gaped at them.
‘It’s you.’
‘No, no, no,’ said the Doctor hastily, snatching his umbrella from Ace. ‘It’s only someone who looks like me.’
Molecross pointed accusingly at Ethan. ‘You lied!’
‘I’ve never seen this man before,’ said Ethan stoutly. ‘I thought he’d come for you.’
Molecross swivelled to face the Doctor, forefinger still extended. ‘So – you were going to abduct me.’
‘Nothing of the sort.’
‘You’re the Doctor!’
‘Oh bollocks,’ said Ace. ‘What are you on about? This is my uncle John. He’s not a doctor, he sells cheese.’
Even as she spoke, this struck her as not the best occupation to have chosen, but the Doctor picked up smoothly: ‘English cheeses a specialty: Stilton, of course, and cheddar. Wensleydale. Cheshire.’
‘You’re not a cheese merchant!’ Molecross staggered angrily to his feet.
‘You’re an otherworldly tool of the government!’
‘Oh, I say,’ the Doctor objected. Ace stepped in front of Molecross.
‘Let’s just turn down the gas, mate,’ she said coolly.
Molecross dodged around her to seize the Doctor’s arm, feeling for his wrist.
The Doctor slipped from his grasp and Molecross, thwarted and outnumbered, ran out the door. No one pursued him.
‘Very convincing,’ said Ethan.
‘Yes,’ sighed the Doctor. ‘We didn’t handle that