Risk Assessment by James Goss Read Free Book Online Page B

and I think, Oh dear .’ She leaned back. ‘It’s curious, flickering through history like slides on a magic lantern. I wonder if I’ve seen all I’m supposed to see, and feel almost cheated that I can’t pop back and have a peep at some of the bits I’ve missed out on.’
    ‘Well, there’s always the internet,’ said Ianto.
    ‘Really?’ said Agnes. ‘And what is an internet?’
    ‘Oh,’ said Ianto. ‘Well. . . um. . . a few years ago there was a project that linked up every single computer in the world to form one enormous dataspace of information.’
    Agnes nodded. ‘And it became sentient and tried to destroy the world?’
    Ianto shook his head. ‘Actually, mostly just shopping, dating and cats. But there’s also an online encyclopaedia that’s quite useful. And there’s a lot of video clips. Again, mostly cats. But also some history.’
    Agnes shrugged. ‘Perhaps you’ll be kind enough to show me this internet later. It sounds like a fascinating bagatelle. In the meantime, I was wondering if we could have a word.’
    ‘Oh,’ said Ianto, suddenly fearful again. ‘Is it about the tea? I’ve been wondering if I should switch brands. . .’
    ‘No no,’ said Agnes, waving a hand. ‘I can only imagine the trouble you must have with that bagged tea. No. I wished to have a word with you. . . about Jack. About. . . you and Jack.’
    Ianto made a tiny, awkward noise.
    Agnes leant forward, smiling. ‘Am I correct in understanding that there is an intimacy between the two of you?’
    Ianto nodded, looking as if he’d like to hide under a rock.
    ‘No doubt one initiated by Harkness,’ said Agnes soothingly. ‘There is nothing to blame yourself for. You certainly wouldn’t be the first member of Torchwood to be corrupted by the Captain’s reprehensible morals. Sometimes I wonder if that man is incapable of forming a platonic friendship. He has all the swordsmanship of a Frenchie. It’s common knowledge that the men of that country would seduce a table with an attractively turned leg. I rather fear the furniture of Torchwood is similarly prey to that man’s depravities. But no matter. I do not concern myself with the despoiling of desking. As far as I’m concerned, he can slake his lusts on all manner of inanimate objects. No, rather it’s perishable goods. . . it is you I am worried about.’
    She laid a hand on Ianto’s and met his shrinking eye.
    ‘Do you have feelings for Captain Harkness, Mr Jones?’
    ‘Yes,’ said Ianto simply.
    ‘You should be aware. . .’ Agnes coughed. ‘Well, it’s just that I have known several of the Captain’s companions. I’ve even met a fair few of them. My point is that those close to Harkness tend to die. He just isn’t aware that his invulnerability doesn’t extend to those he loves.’
    ‘I know,’ said Ianto quietly.
    Agnes looked at him, hard. ‘Well, I understand. It’s entirely your choice. But I must warn you there’s only one outcome. And I am sorry for you.’
    ‘I see,’ said Ianto, tightly. ‘Thank you.’
    And they sat quietly for a while, while the empty radio hissed away.
    SkyPoint had once been the most desired address in Cardiff. That had been before the building had started eating residents. And the recession. Now it was just another nearly vacant tower block in the Bay, glass shining from empty apartment after empty apartment. The Vam couldn’t have hoped for somewhere more secluded. Suzanne’s memories told it that SkyPoint was the least visited property on her books. (What was a book, it wondered. It would like to know at some point.) The Vam rolled gently along the beach towards the nearly abandoned peninsula where the once proud SkyPoint glistened in the morning rain.
    At 10 a.m., there were two caretakers, one receptionist, and two dozen residents in SkyPoint. By 11a.m., there was nobody. It was 6 p.m. before any of them were missed.
    A computer started to beep, gently. Jack kicked it idly with a toe, and then noticed