Part 11 (1/2)

The guests seemed reluctant to leave after the demonstration. But Nepath a.s.sured them all that he would be in touch directly to discuss with them the opportunities the incredible material offered them in their own lines of business. Grant watched it all through a kind of mist. His mind was racing, trying to take in what he had seen and a.s.similate it, trying to a.s.sess the possibilities.

Finally, it seemed that only Grant was left with Nepath and Lord Urton. He realised they were waiting, expecting a comment.

Grant cleared his throat. 'Very impressive,' he conceded. 'I've, well I've never seen anything like it. Though I have to confess...' His voice trailed away.

'Yes?' Nepath prompted.

'Well, I fail to see how this substance, remarkable though it is, can be relevant to my own field of interest. To military procurements.'

Nepath nodded slowly, as if the same idea had just struck him. 'Perhaps a more practical demonstration would help clear up that matter?'

'It would help,' Grant agreed, wondering what he had in mind.

'Good. Excellent.' Nepath clapped his hands together. He turned, almost in triumph, it seemed, to Lord Urton who stood stony*faced beside him. Then he leaned towards Grant, reaching over the ample stomach to place a hand on Grant's shoulder. 'Actually,' he confessed, 'I did antic.i.p.ate your reservation. So I have taken the slight liberty of arranging such a demonstration. Tomorrow. On the moors. Colonel Wilson in command of the Engineers stationed at Ambleton has kindly agreed to help me organise it.'

'What a terrific idea. Is it open to anyone?'

Nepath gaped. For a moment he was frozen in surprise in front of Grant. It was obvious that he too had forgotten that they were not alone. Grant turned in time to see the Doctor rising from his armchair and grinning across the room at them.

'Doctor.' Nepath's voice was low, edged with anger and a hint of something darker. 'I regret that it will be a private demonstration. Military security, national interest. I'm sure you understand.'

'I think I'm beginning to.' The Doctor's voice was also low. 'Thank you for a fascinating time. I feel I have learned a lot.' Suddenly his manner brightened. 'Though I'm happy to report that you didn't quite manage to tempt me to part with any money.'

'No.' Nepath's voice was level, almost toneless. 'No I didn't, did I?' He took a step towards the Doctor. Somehow, Grant thought, the gesture seemed threatening. 'Goodbye, Doctor.'

'Au revoir,' the Doctor replied amiably. He gave a brief wave, and turned to leave.

'Oh, Doctor?' Nepath called after him, his tone lighter now.

'Yes?'

'Here. Catch.'

Nepath threw something to the Doctor, who caught it easily and held it up. It was the small piece of the dark material he had examined earlier. Grant could see that it was once again perfectly spherical, returned to the form the Doctor had moulded.

'A souvenir,' Nepath explained. 'I would hate you to depart empty handed.'

'How kind,' the Doctor said. He seemed genuinely grateful. 'Something to remember you by.' He gave a quick nod of his head by way of farewell, then he was gone.

Nepath watched the empty doorway for several moments before he returned his attention to Grant. 'Tomorrow then, Sir William,' he said. 'Colonel Wilson will call for you and bring you to the test area.'

'Thank you.'

Nepath glanced back towards the door. 'By then, he said quietly, 'we should be ready to discuss business without further distractions or interruptions.'

Grant waited. But Nepath seemed to have finished. He strode from the room without another word, leaving Grant standing alone with Lord Urton.

'Robert,' Grant said, wondering how to phrase his question. 'Robert, is everything... you know? All right?'

Lord Urton met his concerned look. Grant could see the firelight reflected deep within Urton's eyes, flickering as if behind the irises. 'Everything's fine,' Urton said. His voice was empty and dead.

Grant hesitated. Suddenly he felt very hot. He slid a sweaty finger round his damp collar. 'Good.' he said. 'Good. And Eloise is well?'

Urton held out his hand. 'Everything's fine,' he repeated.

Grant took hold of Urton's hand and shook it. He felt Urton's grip tight on his own damp, pudgy hand. A grip like stone.

Chapter Ten.

Firing Test Professor Dobbs was tired after the long return journey. He gratefully accepted the cup of tea that Betty s...o...b..ld gave him. There was a good fire burning in the drawing room of the Rectory and he sat for a while, alone and silent, watching the patterns the flames threw against the black of the chimney.

When s...o...b..ld came in, he was good enough to sit quietly alongside the Professor, not disturbing his thoughts.

'It is kind of you to extend your hospitality to me once again,' Dobbs told him at last.

s...o...b..ld smiled by way of reply. A sympathetic, understanding smile. 'You are always welcome. Though I am not certain I know why you would want to return.'

'Unfinished business. Isn't that so, Professor?' The Doctor was across the room in a moment, sinking himself into the sofa across from Dobbs. 'And I shall be glad of your help.'

s...o...b..ld frowned at the Doctor, but Dobbs shook his head. 'The Doctor is right,' he said. 'Unfinished business. Like the Doctor, I believe there was more to poor Alistair's death than a freak lightning bolt, whatever the coroner may have decided.'

'Good for you.' The Doctor rubbed his hands together happily. Then, abruptly, his face fell and his expression hardened. 'I'm sorry,' he said quietly, 'how was the funeral?'

Dobbs turned back to the fire. For a while he watched the flames again dancing and flickering. 'Hardly the best way to say one's farewells,' he said. 'But an opportunity for friends and family to air their grief.'

s...o...b..ld leaned across and put his hand on Dobbs's shoulder. 'The grief will pa.s.s. Treasure his memory, while it is fresh. He will always be with you, in your mind, but the pain will ease as he retreats and waits for you to search for him. When you need him.'

Dobbs drew a deep breath. 'I shall miss him. He was infuriating, he was so naive. He had such a lot still to learn.'

'As do we all,' the Doctor said.

Dobbs swallowed and pulled himself together. With an effort he swung round to face his friends. s...o...b..ld let go of his shoulder and sat back. 'Unfinished business,' Dobbs said again. 'I too am learning. I am learning to keep a more open mind. To inquire and not to a.s.sume.'

The Doctor was nodding, his eyes bright and interested.

'I am open to the possibilities,' Dobbs said to the Doctor, 'All I ask is that we stop this... whatever it is. Before anyone else suffers. Or dies.

s...o...b..ld looked from Dobbs to the Doctor and back. 'What do you mean?' he asked quietly. 'What is going on here?'

'I wish I knew,' the Doctor said simply. 'But the Professor here is right. There are forces at work, evil afoot. Death is approaching.'

s...o...b..ld snorted, a sudden laugh of surprise. 'You exaggerate. surely.'

'Do I?' The Doctor leaned forward, eyes wide and hard as rock. 'I don't know what it is, not yet. But we stand on the brink of the abyss. And while Professor Dobbs's sentiments are laudable, I fear it is already too late to prevent the death and the destruction. All we can hope to do is to stem the flow, to hold back the forces of darkness.'