Doctor Who_ The King of Terror - Keith Topping [30]
‘Brigadier,’ interrupted the Doctor. ‘It is rather pressing . . . ’
‘I’ll do everything I can to find the boy, Doctor,’ Lethbridge-Stewart said.
‘But you must understand that manpower resources are limited and that your 56
investigations into InterCom must take precedence.’
‘I understand,’ replied the Doctor. ‘I know what I’m here for. What do you want me to do?’
‘I’ve arranged for a visit to InterCom’s development laboratories by the eminent Doctor Smith of Cambridge,’ replied the Brigadier. ‘And his assistant.’
‘Tegan will be delighted,’ said the Doctor drily, putting the phone down.
He could see that Tegan was looking suspicious. ‘Will I?’ she asked.
‘You’re to be my assistant, apparently.’ The Doctor produced the passes he’d been given by the Brigadier in London. ‘Miss Jones, it says here.’
‘ Alias, Smith and Jones,’ added Tegan with a grin. Then she noticed the concerned look on the Doctor’s face. ‘Don’t worry about Turlough,’ she said.
The Doctor could tell that she was trying hard to make it sound convincing.
‘He can look after himself.’
‘Brave heart, Tegan,’ he told his companion. ‘One crisis at a time.’
Ryman was in the middle of breakfast with Chebb at Makin’s bar in West Hollywood when his mobile phone spluttered into life.
‘Excuse me, Bob,’ he said, leaving his colleague to the sports pages of USA Today.
It was Jon Newton on the other end of the line.
‘We have to talk,’ said the Englishman.
‘I thought I told you never to call me on this number,’ hissed Ryman. Then he gave Chebb a cautious half-smile which the security man acknowledged by returning his attention to his newspaper and his coffee.
‘It’s important,’ Newton told Ryman.
‘So is my breakfast,’ replied Ryman, switching off the phone. ‘Do you ever feel like you’re surrounded by incompetents?’ he asked Chebb.
‘Not really,’ said Chebb. ‘I just do what you tell me to.’
‘I apologise for the early hour of this meeting,’ Sanger told his assembled audience. ‘And I also apologise for the sudden change of venue.’ He gestured at the sparse hotel conference room. ‘As you can see, we will have to make do with this facility whilst there are representatives of unfriendly powers in the area. The InterCom building itself is simply too vulnerable to attack to risk having the full conglomerate there.’ Sanger paused and adjusted his tie, clearing his throat as he did so. He took a sip of water. ‘And lastly, I’d like to apologise for the traffic on the freeway this morning. Unfortunately, even my influence has limitations.’
There was a ripple of laughter from the grey-suited group.
‘I should like to thank you all for travelling at such short notice. I know that many of you were in Tokyo a few days ago and I shall be looking forward to 57
hearing your observations on the project. I know that Representative Bois has some strong feelings on this matter, so I’ve made this item two on the agenda.’
‘Thank you. Paolo,’ said Theydon Bois. ‘I feel it’s vitally important that we reach a consensus on the time scale.’
‘Agreed,’ said Sanger, ticking off a line on his lengthy check list. ‘You’ll also notice that I have Alain’s European report at item four.’ He glanced at Giresse and asked, ‘Is that all right?’
‘ Oui. Not a problem.’
‘Good. And we have representative reports from London and Toronto at Five and Six. Plus a business structure breakdown from Graeme Carter and the usual any other business. I expect this should take us most of the morning.
I’ve arranged for lunch to be brought in at 12.30 if we haven’t finished by then.
Anybody have any preferences – fruit salad or continental buffet?’
‘Either,’ said Giresse.
‘Michelle, make a note of that in case anybody tries to say they didn’t agree later on! ‘
There was more sycophantic laughter and Ms Stonebringer opened her notepad.
Sanger coughed again. A look of concern crossed his features as he reached once more for the glass of water in front of him. ‘Oh, great,’ he said, in irritation.