Doctor Who_ The Algebra of Ice - Lloyd Rose [42]
‘Ice, did you say?’
‘Ice.’
‘Ah,’ said Brett wonderingly. ‘So that’s what that was.’
‘You saw it?’
‘I noticed it. I certainly had no idea it was some sort of pattern.’
‘Why were you there if you didn’t know what it was?’
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The Algebra of Ice
‘If you insist on knowing, I was returning from a very late party in London and I needed relief.’
‘Rel– Oh. Of course. Yes.’
‘I noticed some lines of ice. I thought they were extremely odd. But as it was also extremely cold, I didn’t investigate. You say they were part of a pattern?’
‘Geometric shapes. They covered the field.’
‘But how extraordinary. Some kind of hoax, I presume.’
Molecross lowered his voice. ‘I don’t think so.’
‘No? But what else could it be?’
‘It’s a government plot.’
Brett rolled his eyes at Unwin. ‘Really?’
‘There are strange forces there. I’ve experienced them myself. And there were witnesses.’
‘Oh yes?’ Brett had been leaning languidly against the wall, but now he straightened up. ‘Reliable?’
‘Very establishment. Ethan Amberglass, who’s a mathematician for the government – you see how it all adds up.’
‘Indeed. And the other witness?’
‘The Doctor. But I don’t know about him. He’s an alien.’
Brett stiffened. ‘I’m sorry?’
‘An alien. He’s legendary. I thought maybe he didn’t exist, but he does.’
‘A legendary alien.’
‘Yes,’ Molecross said a bit defensively.
‘I see. I don’t suppose you have his address?’
‘No,’ said Molecross, a bit stung at the perceived mockery. ‘I don’t know that.
I’ve only seen him at Amberglass’s. But he exists.’
‘I’m sure. Well, this has all been very interesting, Mr Molecross. I’m glad you explained those puzzling ice lines to me. But I honestly don’t see how I can help you any further, and other matters are pressing.’
Molecross started to protest that he wasn’t a crank, but it occurred to him that he might have said too much already. Particularly to someone who had no idea what was going on. What if he became curious?
‘Yes, of course, Mr Brett. Thank you.’
‘Thank you,’ said Brett courteously and rang off.
‘What was that?’ Unwin jabbered. ‘Some reporter who knows something?’
‘He’s an idiot,’ said Brett dismissively, coming back up the stairs. ‘But he did say something interesting. Did you ever work with a chap named Amberglass?’
‘Ethan Amberglass.’
Chapter Ten
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‘That’s right.’ Brett’s eyes brightened. ‘You knew him?’
‘No, I never met him. They liked to keep us separated. But he had quite a reputation – boy genius sort of thing.’
‘Oh, really?’ Brett took Unwin’s elbow and led him down the hall. ‘Let’s look into him, shall we?’
‘Why? Do you think he knows something?’
‘Well, he knows the mysterious Doctor.’
‘What?’
‘And he was at the circle and witnessed a force of some sort. It’s a bit of a coincidence that another mathematician should be there, don’t you think?’
‘But I understand he was practically a recluse.’
‘All the stranger then. Let’s get to know him better.’
Back at his cottage, Molecross reflected that he had handled this one better.
Been professional, got the chap’s confidence. Courteous fellow too. Posh accent. Nice life, partying all night in London and driving home in your Jaguar.
Well, when this story hit the front pages. . . Molecross turned his abbreviated notes into complete words, then brought up his file on the story. Or at least tried to. Half an hour later, when the full extent of the damage was clear, he pounded his fists on the desk, which, one of his fists not being there, turned out to be a mistake. The stitches on the end of his arm broke open and he had to return to the UNIT medical ward.
‘Dear God,’ said Unwin when he had finally slipped past Ethan’s home computer defences.
‘What?’ said Brett impatiently.
‘This is incredible. Do you know what he’s been working on most recently?’
‘No, young Pat, I don’t. So why don’t you cease the rhetorical questions and tell me.’
‘My equations.’
‘I beg your pardon?’
‘The work I was doing at the agency. He’s been building on it.’ Unwin scanned the figures. ‘And very well too,’ he said slowly.