Doctor Who: The Green Death by Malcolm Hulke Page A

green.’
    ‘I intend to request a full international investigation.’ the Brigadier went on, ‘under the auspices of the United Nations.’ He watched for Dr Stevens’s reactions.
    ‘All that over the deaths of two men in a little Welsh village?’ Dr Stevens smiled again. ‘Isn’t it a matter for the local coroner?’
    ‘That’s what we want to find out.’
    ‘I see.’ For a moment Dr Stevens said nothing. ‘May I ask why you’ve come here to tell me this, Brigadier?’
    ‘There were no such deaths before Panorama Chemicals came to the village,’ replied the Brigadier, choosing his words carefully.
    ‘Are you suggesting some connection?’
    ‘The two facts seem to me significant,’ said the Brigadier.
    If the Brigadier expected Dr Stevens to deny any connection he was disappointed. The Director of Panorama Chemicals showed no reaction at all. ‘Brigadier, I submit you are taking a grave risk in even hinting that we may be responsible for these deaths.’
    ‘In what way?’
    Dr Stevens arched his fingers, as though about to deliver a lecture. ‘There are emotional, sentimental fools who would delight in seeing this plant closed down. I refer to Professor Clifford Jones and his following of hot-heads. But under no circumstances should our work be prevented from continuing.’
    ‘Surely,’ said the Brigadier, ‘if there’s any question of danger—’
    ‘Which there isn’t!’ Dr Stevens cut in sharply, for the first time showing any emotion.
    ‘Dr Stevens,’ the Brigadier retorted, ‘if I see any reason for this plant to be closed, temporarily or permanently, closed it will be!’
    ‘And in that respect you would be taking a great risk.’
    For the second time Dr Stevens had used this word ‘risk’. The Brigadier still wasn’t sure quite what he meant. ‘Risk? To whom?’
    ‘Possibly to your career,’ said Dr Stevens.
    ‘Are you threatening me?’
    ‘Just a little,’ Dr Stevens replied honestly.
    ‘I submit to you , Dr Stevens,’ said the Brigadier, realising he was getting heated, ‘that if necessary I can bring influence to bear at Cabinet level.’
    ‘How interesting,’ said Dr Stevens in a way to show that he was not at all impressed. He reached over to his desk intercom and pressed a button. ‘Stella,’ he said towards the built-in microphone, ‘get me the Minister of Ecology, please.’
    ‘Yes, sir,’ said the girl’s voice.
    ‘Like some more coffee?’ asked Dr Stevens affably.
    ‘That’s very kind of you,’ said the Brigadier, ‘but no thank you.’
    ‘You don’t mind if I do?’ said Dr Stevens, as he re-filled his cup from the coffee pot. ‘We don’t pretend this stuff has any nutritional value, but it certainly tastes like coffee.’
    ‘If I may ask, Dr Stevens, what is your purpose in telephoning the Minister of Ecology?’
    ‘For your sake,’ said Dr Stevens. ‘You tell me that you can bring influence to bear at Cabinet level. I, on my part, would rather like to see you do it.’
    ‘Are you trying to goad me, sir?’
    ‘Brigadier, my only concern is facts. If you can get the Minister of Ecology to permit you to conduct an investigation that may do some harm to Panorama Chemicals, that is a fact of life which I must face. On the other hand if you cannot, then I shall be pleased if you will apply yourself to your task of protecting this plant from those hot-heads shouting at our front gates.’ Dr Stevens gave his little smile again. ‘I assure you, there will be no hard feelings either way.’
    ‘In fairness,’ said the Brigadier, ‘I didn’t say an investigation would necessarily be directed against Panorama Chemicals—’
    A phone rang on the vast desk, interrupting what the Brigadier was saying. Dr Stevens lifted the phone.
    ‘Stevens here.’ He listened, then frowned. ‘My dear young lady,’ Dr Stevens told the caller, ‘I think you have misunderstood. I wish to speak to the Minister personally .’ He cupped the mouthpiece, smiled to