Read Doctor Who: The Mark of the Rani for Free Online Page B

Anticipating her pursuit, the Master had diverted into an alcove.
    When she made no attempt to get free, his suspicions increased. She was being uncharacteristically supine. What was she clutching? He prised her fingers apart, revealing a pill box.
    ‘They’re capsules for my lungs. The earth’s damp atmosphere affects them.’
    A plausible explanation.
    Even so, the wily Master was sceptical. He flipped the lid. The box contained an assortment of pills.
    ‘Do you trust anyone?’
    ‘Yes. Myself. Capsules they may be. But don’t touch them until that door closes between us!’ He exited into the street.
    Glowering after him, the Rani snapped shut the pill box.
    With his departure, her alleged need of a capsule had also gone.
    A ruse? He obviously thought so. The incident demonstrated the mutual lack of faith binding the Time Lords. Hardly an auspicious beginning to the proposed alliance.
     
    7

A Deadly Signature
    Despite his objections to the Doctor’s autocratic manner, Lord Ravensworth had brought Luke Ward. Or, to be more precise, he had despatched a messenger for him.
    Luke could truly be called a golden boy. Tall, fair-haired, the eighteen year old exuded honesty and intelligence. It was not difficult to comprehend Ravensworth’s pride in his protégé.
    He had submitted to the barrage of questions with worried concern. But, as yet, none of his replies had given the Doctor a lead. His father’s reported violent behaviour was completely inexplicable.
    However, the Doctor persisted. ‘And you’re certain your father was perfectly normal this morning?’
    ‘The lad’s told you he was!’ Lord Ravensworth was losing patience with the inquisition.
    ‘I know, I know. Bear with me. The answer’s probably staring me in the face and I just can’t see it.’
    Realising that escape from Killingworth depended on the Doctor unravelling the mystery, Peri joined in. ‘When did you last talk to your father, Luke?’
    ‘When he came off shift. He were on’t way to bath house.’
    ‘Bath house?’
    ‘To get cleaned up.’ Luke failed to understand the Doctor’s evident excitement.
    ‘Doctor, you recall when we passed the bath house–’
    ‘Luke, can you find me an old coat and cap?’ This was not really a request.
    ‘Aye, in’t lobby, but...’ Luke’s orders usually came from Ravensworth. His lordship gave a fatalistic shrug. ‘Do as he says.’
    ‘Doctor, when we passed the bath house, that gadget of yours –’ Again Peri was interrupted.
    ‘Reacted. Yes. Yes. I said it had been staring me in the face, didn’t I? It was! Literally!’ Discarding his own jacket, he accepted the soiled coat Luke had collected from the lobby.
    ‘I guess I should, but I don’t get it.’
    ‘Glad it’s not just me!’ Ravensworth said fretfully.
    ‘Those men who attacked me. They didn’t look as if they’d come straight from the pit, did they?’ He struggled into the coat. ‘They were clean!’
    As if this explained everything, he dashed from the office.
    Of the baffled trio, Ravensworth was the first to give voice. ‘Is he often like this?’
    ‘Too often. Excuse me.’ Peri scooted out of the door.
    She did not have far to go. The Doctor was rubbing his hands on the ground and transferring the dirt to his temples.
    ‘Would you mind telling me what’s going on?’
    ‘I’m about to follow– as you would term it – a hunch.’
    A reply that told her nothing. A sigh of resignation.
    ‘Okay, where do I fit in?’
    ‘You stay here where you’ll be safe.’
    That did it! ‘Safe! From the moment I stepped into the TARDIS I haven’t been safe!’
    ‘How do I look?’ Nose, forehead, cheeks and ears were smudged with coal dust. His teeth gleamed white as he grinned at Peri.
    ‘Like a man who could do with a bath.’
    Pleased with her reply, he donned the cap with a flourish and set off.
    Little did the Rani know she was about to receive yet another unwelcome visitor. She was too preoccupied.
    Circled by the