Doctor Who_ The Devil Goblins From Neptune - Keith Topping [16]
'Quite a place you have here,' said Davis.
'We've only just finished moving in. One of the drawbacks of the job, I'm afraid. Constantly being on the move. I expect the New York office is the same.'
'Actually, no.' said Davis. 'We've been in the Bronx since we became operational.'
'Isn't that a slightly... inappropriate area?' asked the Brigadier, remembering his own experiences in the Big Apple as a twenty-one-year-old on his way back from Korea.
'It has many advantages, sir,' said Davis. 'And if there ever were a situation, you just count to ten and run for cover.'
'I have your file here.' said the Brigadier, again drawn to Davis's bewitching smile. 'You've seen a lot of action since joining UNIT'
'Not as much as you, sir, or your British boys. You guys are highly regarded in the US for your personal experience of Alien Life Form situations.'
Lethbridge-Stewart nodded contentedly and allowed the American to continue.
'Your Classified Action report on the Auton invasion was breathtaking.'
'Thank you,' said the Brigadier with just a trace of satisfaction.
'Of course, our scientific adviser was largely responsible for the finished document.'
'Oh yes, Dr Smith. He's something of a legend, too. Will I be able to meet him at any stage?'
'Yes, quite likely.' The Brigadier tapped the file confidently
'Your record is, nevertheless, impressive.'
'I'm flattered to hear you say that, sir. Some of the mopping up at the second Silurian chamber in Oregon was good work. I also partnered Bill Filer investigating the International Electromatics West Coast Division.'
I've heard of Filer. Good man?'
'Yes, sir.' I'd trust him with my life.'
I also see,' noted the Brigadier, 'that after university you worked for a controversial businessman in Washington.'
'I did, sir.'
'Why was that?'
'If you mean why didn't I go straight into the military, sir...?'
'No, no,' said Lethbridge-Stewart quickly 'No implied criticism. I'm just interested in why you chose such a dangerous line of work.'
'I was young, sir,' said Davis. And stupid. The money was good, but it was a blind alley. Lifestyles of the rich and famous. Serious danger but ultimately no reward'
'I think you're going to enjoy your time with us here, Mr Davis,' said Lethbridge-Stewart. take you down to your office.
Captain Yates will be available to help you should you need anything. In the meantime, welcome aboard.'
They stood to shake hands, and the Brigadier felt an empathy with a fellow soldier. He noticed for the first time that there was a hardness behind the smile, a very necessary ruthlessness. He was clearly a man of hidden depths.
‘Thank you, sir,' said Davis. 'I hope I won't let you down.'
CHAPTER 4
The Progressive Club was an imposing building of some five storeys in the leafy heart of Mayfair. To one side stood the headquarters of an obscure but influential government think tank (rumour had it that there was a connecting corridor between the two to facilitate the easy transfer of shared members); to the other the consulate of a diminutive but ambitious southern European state. Some years ago a wealthy Middle Eastern government had made overtures to purchase the consulate for their own purposes, and the powerful members of the Progressive Club had fought tooth and nail against the plans. This opposition was not so much an act of racist bigotry as a response to that nation's refusal to condemn terrorism.' when one was finally admitted to the Progressive Club, one undertook to stand firm against vulgarity of any kind.
The dichotomy of the club was further illustrated by the gilt-framed paintings that adorned the foyer of polished marble. In ancient oils.' red-jacketed huntsmen, resplendent on impossibly splay-legged horses, bugling across the shires of Little England. In modern acrylics.' photo-realistic whales butchered in choppy seas, the blubber being stripped away as the seas turned red. In gently faded watercolours.'