Doctor Who_ The Sleep of Reason - Martin Day [92]
is capable of causing untold destruction. Each seed could produce hundreds more seeds, more Sholem-Luz.’
‘What went wrong?’ asked Trix.
‘It was something to do with the fire,’ said Smith. ‘They seem to rely on some external energy source at that stage of the life cycle. The flames were extinguished more quickly than anyone expected.’
Laska was clearly struggling to keep up. ‘So, when I dreamt I was near the folly, and I had to get rid of the pendant. . . That really happened. And something was waiting for it.’
Smith nodded. ‘The Sholem-Luz seem to have quite an affinity for dogs.’
‘A man reported his dog missing in the grounds a few days back,’ said Liz.
‘History repeating,’ said Smith. ‘Back in 1903 it all started with a rip in the very fabric of reality as we know it. A seed was pushed through from some other point in space and time, and it infected Dr Christie’s dog. It’s as if the Sholem-Luz seeds are built to seek out and dominate lower life forms in the first instance. Perhaps they simply can’t tolerate too much intellect and willpower early on.’
‘Or they don’t understand it,’ said Fitz.
Smith nodded. ‘Now some other dog has been infected, as you and Laska saw earlier,’ continued Smith. ‘The seeds need creatures such as these to give them corporeal form and energy.’
‘Where is this dog now?’ asked Trix. ‘What does it plan to do?’
‘“It’s quiet”,’ said Fitz in a mock American accent. ‘“Too quiet”.’
‘Exactly!’ said Smith. ‘This is just the lull before the storm. It’s vital that we keep our composure, that we keep our wits about us. As I said, we can expect the attack to come on many levels – physical, emotional. . . ’
‘I’m not scared of any dog,’ said Trix.
‘It’s not just the dog we need to worry about,’ said Smith gravely.
With immaculate timing James Abel chose that moment to burst into the dining area. ‘There’s been another murder,’ he said. ‘And I’ve just had to pull two patients apart. It’s chaos out there!’
‘Right,’ said Smith firmly, assuming charge. ‘I want everyone – staff, patients, the lot – to gather here.’
‘Safety in numbers?’ asked Fitz.
Smith didn’t answer. ‘Two exceptions,’ he said, counting out on his hands.
‘Doctors Oldfield and Thomson. I can’t be sure, but aspects of their behaviour worry me.’
‘How so?’ asked Liz.
‘Dr Thomson has been showing an unusual interest in the folly on the hillside,’ said Smith. ‘And he said he took a call from the police station, promising officers here within the hour. . . ’ Smith looked around, as if expecting, even 170
at this late stage, that policemen might suddenly burst through the door with copious notebooks and plastic forensic pouches.
‘And Dr Oldfield?’ asked Fitz.
‘I fear that his desire for power may have become corrupted.’
‘But he’s always like that!’ exclaimed Liz.
‘Indeed,’ said Smith, ‘but his priorities have become utterly blinkered and self-seeking. Is it not possible that this influence would seek just such a man as its pawn?’
Laska muttered something under her breath; Liz doubted it was compli-mentary.
‘Perhaps both are innocent,’ continued Smith, ‘and I certainly wouldn’t want either man harmed. . . But I think we would do well to keep them away from everyone else, just in case. We can’t afford them to be at liberty if they’ve been infected by the Sholem-Luz material.’
‘In the diary account,’ said Laska, ‘that man, Fern. . . He was bitten by the dog.’
Smith nodded. ‘That’s right. He became a slave of the alien influence. The Sholem-Luz start with something primitive, then move on to higher creatures.’
‘I’ll sort out Thomson and Oldfield,’ said Fitz. ‘Leave it to me.’
‘Perhaps you could help him, Trix,’ said Smith, as if not swayed by Fitz’s calm assurances. ‘And Liz – you know the two men better than most. Would you mind. . . ?’
Liz found herself nodding, though not quite sure what she was agreeing to.
Smith turned to James. ‘Can I leave you to assemble the patients and staff here? Try not to frighten anyone. . . ’
Someone, in another wing of the Retreat, was screaming.
‘Well, try your best, in any event,