Doctor Who: Surprise Holiday

Chapter 11: Investigation

"Right then," said Clara. "Let's start with what we know."

They had left Doctor Yakut behind, largely because she had no interest in joining up with them, and returned to the Grand Germania. They reconvened in a conference room, seated around a large rectangular table, with snacks and drinks from the kitchen available. Clara sat at the head of the table, with the Doctor seated opposite at the far end. Siegfried Braun the hotel manager and Sophie Klein flanked Clara, with the rest scattered among the other seating positions.

"Clyde Moon heads a company called Spindletop Holdings," Clara began. "We know he owns several properties—he said as much himself. We also know he's up to something bigger than property investments. Elisabeth Moon told me he has a 'Project Alamo' involving a big payoff planned for himself within a year, and that was about four months ago."

Siegfried Braun nodded his head. "I agree. Commercial property is generally a years long investment. There's no way he could expect a big payout by reselling within the next six months. He's closed at least two hotels, halting their revenue streams, and hasn't made any improvements. That's how you lose money. Something else is going on."

"Just to throw it out there," said Clara, "could he be planning to scam off-world investors? Wealthy outsiders who don't know the Neuesonner market might be an easy mark."

"I doubt it. The government has safeguards against that sort of exploitation."

Nils hesitantly raised his hand. "Do we know what other properties he owns? Maybe there's a pattern."

Clara's eyebrows went up. "Good point," she said. "We know he owns the Plaza and at least one other place, but what else does he own?"

"Property tax records are public," said Siegfried. "We can start there."

"Got it," said Nils as he accessed records. "Besides the Plaza, Spindletop Holdings owns two other properties: the Chateau Royale and the Boxton."

Sophie shook her head. "That's all? So much for owning a string of properties," she snorted. "The guy is full of it."

"Too many properties purchased too quickly would draw attention," replied Siegfried. "My guess is, he owns more properties using shell corporations."

"Very likely," agreed the Doctor. "It's a common practice out in the galaxy."

"So how do we track that down?" asked Rebecca as she reached for a muffin. She broke it in half and offered half to Nils, who happily accepted.

"Hmm," said Clara as she stared at a cheese danish that sat untouched in front of her. "Moon is obsessed with all things Texas. I looked up 'Spindletop' a while back. It was an oil gusher well in Texas, back in the year 1901. If Moon is consistent, perhaps his shell corporations are Texas-themed as well."

"I can run a query," replied Nils. "Build a Texas keyword list, then match property sales to keywords."

"Do it!" declared Clara. She hesitated, then picked up the cheese danish and took a bite. She glanced up and noticed Sophie giving her a look. "Sailboarding?" Clara said quietly with a smile.

"You know it!" Sophie grinned back as she began to nibble her own pastry.

"Here we go. I'll share the list," said Nils.

"Lone Star Trust, Yellow Rose Holdings, Dallas Properties, Galveston Unlimited, Long Horn Cooperative," Clara read aloud as she flicked through the list. "Those all track. Wait, what's 'New Berlin Partnership?' Surely that's not related."

Nils grinned. "It turns out there's a New Berlin, Texas. I imagine it's a private joke."

"Huh!" Clara exclaimed, and shook her head.