Demontage by Justin Richards

Author:Justin Richards
Format: mobi, epub

***

The Doctor stared at the picture for what seemed like an age. It had been left, apparently abandoned, in an alcove. One of the guards had spotted it rolled up and leaning against the back wall, in the shadows.

'You're right. 'The Doctor nodded. 'It's really quite grotesque. I wonder how it got here.'

'Is it the painting missing from the exhibition?' Cage queried.

'Oh yes. I doubt there could be two like this.'

'Maybe whoever stole it was passing by when whatever it was that happened...' Fitz's voice tailed off as he searched for a word. 'Fj, happened.'

'Maybe.' The Doctor did not sound as if he accepted the theory.

'How else could it have got here?' Sam asked.

'Well, someone left it here. But I wonder why.'

'At least we've got it back.' Cage seemed happy to dismiss the whole thing as solved. 'I need to get a technical crew to look over the damage in there.' She jerked her thumb back down the corridor towards the concealed room. 'To see what can be salvaged.'

'Hmm.' The Doctor was still contemplating the painting. 'We'll return this to its owners. At least we can set their minds at rest, and I wouldn't mind a word.'

As soon as Cage had gone, Sam pointed to the figure in the background of the picture. "There, Doctor. What do you think?'

The three of them leaned close over the painting. The Doctor was sitting cross-legged on the floor with it over his knees, Fitz and Sam peered over each of his shoulders. 'Well,' he said at last, 'it's rather difficult to tell. There's certainly a resemblance, but nothing conclusive.' He smiled brightly and leapt to his feet. Sam and Fitz ducked out of the way just in time to avoid having their chins snapped upward by his shoulders. 'Let's ask the experts.'

'I think I'll wait here, if you don't mind.' Fitz shuffled uncomfortably.

'Of course. If you wish.'

'The paintings worried you that much, did they?' Sam asked.

'No, I've got some technical questions, that's all.'

Sam looked at Fitz. He looked away.

'Fine,' said the Doctor. 'Sam and I can handle it. Can't we, Sam?'

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