Stray
Jack looked up from the police file to check on Ianto. This was the third murder this month. The injuries were all the same: the chest was clawed out and the throat was torn opened. Of course, all the evidence pointed to the same conclusion: the murderer wasn't human. It made it even more frustrating when they couldn't match the evidence to any known species in the Torchwood database. However, this time something was different: the police had a suspect.
Before Jack was in charge, Torchwood would just grab the suspect, drag them to their headquarters, and check if they were an alien. However half the time the person was really human and sometimes they were actually innocent. Now that Jack was in charge, things were different. The suspect would stay in police custody while Torchwood studied the evidence. The suspect goes with Torchwood if they're an alien, and stays with the police if they're human. Things were much simpler Jack's way.
Right now, Jack was outside the police station, waiting for Ianto, who was busy telling the press a cover story. Gwen had gone inside to talk to Andy about the suspect, while Owen checked the body. Soon Ianto broke away from the crowd and joined Jack.
"Sorry that took so long," Ianto said.
"It's okay," Jack said, giving Ianto a forgiving smile. "So, what did you tell them?"
"Cult," Ianto said. Jack looked a little surprised.
"Really? I thought you would have gone with wild animal attack," Jack said.
"Yes, but we done that so many times, they might think that some man had a private zoo," Ianto said. "Either that, or they'll stop believing me."
Jack laughed a little as he and Ianto entered the police station. They soon spotted Gwen and Andy.
"Hi," Gwen said, when Jack and Ianto came over to them. "Andy says he will escort us to the suspect."
"Yeah; got to look like I have some control over this investigation," Andy said, and they started walking over to where the jail cells were located.
"What can you tell us about the suspect?" Jack asked Gwen.
"His name is Douglas," Gwen started.
"Has the lamest alibi in the world: 'I just came across the body.' He's really stupid or he's really from out there," Andy interrupted "Have it all recorded as well. I suppose you'll need that as well."
"Yes," Jack said, when they reached the jail cells. However someone was already there.
"I'm sorry, sir, but you cannot see him," the guard said to the young man.
The young man had pale blonde hair, looking almost white in a certain light. He also had black eyes. He wore a striped shirt, pale tan trousers, white shoes, and a white lab coat.
"But this benefits everyone," the young man said. "Let me take him; he won't hurt anyone under my care."
"Is there a problem here?" Andy asked, walking up to the young man and introducing himself.
"I am Dr. Gibson," the young man said. "I have been keeping up with these murders and I heard you have a suspect. His name is Douglas, correct? I have come across certain individuals in my field of research who display a new type of mental disease. The individual goes into fits of psychotic rage, while exhibiting increase strength. So far, there has been no trigger to these episodes, but hopefully with more individuals to study, I can locate it. The man you have, Douglas, seems to be a prime candidate for my study. All I ask is for you is to release him into my care."
"Yeah, I would like to do that, but someone else is already permitted to see him," Andy said.
"Really? Who?" Dr. Gibson asked.
"Us," Jack said, stepping forward and introduced himself to Dr. Gibson.
"Ah. Then I should ask you to release Douglas to me," Dr. Gibson said.
"I'm sorry, but we have to question him and run our own tests," Jack said. "We're authorized to do so."
"I see. I apologize to sound doubtful, but may I see your documentations?" Dr. Gibson asked.
"Sure," Jack said, and Ianto handed him a paper, which Jack gave to Dr. Gibson.
"Pity; I wanted to try a new drug regime with him," Dr. Gibson said, after he looked over the paper. He then handed the paper back to Jack and took out a business card. "If your tests show that he's suffering from a mental disease or he's causing you too much trouble, call me. Good day to you all."
Dr. Gibson then left them. Jack gave Dr. Gibson's card to the guard. There was no need to call Dr. Gibson, unless the tests proved that Douglas really has a mental disease. Andy led the Torchwood members into the jail cell area. The cells were already filled with gang members, drug dealers, thieves, and other types of criminals. Andy rolled his eyes when some of them started making noise when they saw the Torchwood members. Nowadays it was hard to tell if they were hollering over Gwen or the guys.
"Right. You'll find Douglas in that area, last cell to the left," Andy said, indicating a door.
"Thanks. We'll take it from here," Jack said. "Do you mind giving Gwen the evidence you found at the crime scene?"
"Yeah. It's over here, come on," Andy grumbled, leading Gwen into another area.
Jack and Ianto went in the opposite direction, as Ianto took out a small scanner. The plan was to keep Douglas busy by asking some questions, while Ianto scanned him to see if he was an alien.
When Jack and Ianto entered the other section, they found it quieter here than in the other area. They soon reached the last cell on the left and saw a man sitting on a bench attached to the back wall, with his face down in his hands. Douglas looked healthy; he wore a white tee-shirt, grey sweet pants, and white worn out sneakers. He looked around Jack's age; well, not Jack's actual age, more what Jack physically looked like. They could see that Douglas had short dark brown chocolate hair, but nothing else since he had his face buried in his hands. Ianto gently rapped his knuckles against the bars of the cell, making Douglas slowly look up. They could see that Douglas had blue eyes and a thin nose. His cheeks looked a little like Raphael's cherubs, giving his face a more endearing look. Jack thought no matter what, Douglas was pretty good looking, but he knew looks could be deceiving; look at Captain John Hart.
"Excuse me," Ianto said, as Douglas examined the men. "We would like-"
"It's you," Douglas said in a clearly distinctive Scottish accent, with a gentle soft tone, as he slowly stood up. "I knew there was something different about you when I saw you. This must be it."
Before either man could blink, Douglas rushed to the front of the cell. Jack and Ianto instinctively stepped back as Douglas reached out through the bars.
"You got to help me!" Douglas said, still reaching out. "Please! Get me out of here! Free me!"
"Oi! Back off!" Andy said, banging on the cell door, making Douglas step away from the bars. Jack and Ianto turned to see Andy and Gwen, who held a box full of evidence. Andy looked at Jack and Ianto. "Told you. Oh, your friend Owen is done with the autopsy; I suppose you're leaving now?"
"Not yet," Jack said, and with Ianto walked over to the other side of the room. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Douglas still watching them. "Anything?"
"Inconclusive," Ianto said in a low voice, looking over the scanner. "I'll go over the results again once we get back to the Hub."
Jack nodded back and started leaving the room with the others, as Douglas continued to watch them.
"The Forest Cathedral!" Douglas said, making Jack pause. "I saw you in the Forest Cathedral! You must remember the Forest Cathedral!"
"Shut your mouth or I'll shut it for you!" Andy shot back. "Let's go before he gives me a headache."
Jack looked back at Douglas one more time before he left. As he drove back to the Hub, all he could think about were those three words that Douglas said: the Forest Cathedral.