Section 2: Objects in the Rear-view Mirror are Closer than they Appear
Whitchurch Hospital; Cardiff, Wales
Monday, February 25, 2020
Gwen Cooper returned to the familiar hospital. She'd been there any number of times since she started working for Torchwood. But she couldn't help remembering the day Anwen was brought in by ambulance. Getting her home this time wouldn't be as easy. She had to trust John Hart to take care of her daughter.
"I can do this," Bree assured.
"I'm good."
"No. You're worried about your children. Interviewing sick kids while worrying about yours is not a good idea."
"I have to do something."
"Did you talk to Luc about the problem with Four?"
"I listened. Jack talked to him." A beat. "I didn't understand it."
Bree waited a moment. "I will listen. You need to talk it out."
"I'd rather punch something." It would be nice to have someone she could confide in. Time would tell if she could really trust Bree.
Her mobile chimed with a text message. She wondered if Rhys was checking in. Hi, mom. Dublin is beautiful this time of year. You don't have to worry. Just a few matches. Running with scissors got boring. Gwen laughed.
"Gwen?"
She showed Bree the message.
"It gets easier. After a few months, nothing is ever weird again." Although, her daughter's relationship with Jack's ex would always be weird.
Gwen held her credentials for a nurse. "Gwen Cooper, Torchwood. I need to speak with Molly Elias."
The nurse gave directions.
"Thanks."
Bree said as they walked away from the nurse's station. "The stress is getting to you."
"I know."
Gwen knocked on the door. She turned the knob and stepped into the room. Molly had company. It took a moment to realize she recognized him.
"Malcom Dove."
He was sitting in a chair next to the bed. He stood.
Gwen made introductions. "Dr. Nelson will ask you some questions." She looked at Malcolm. "Can I talk to you?" She motioned toward the hallway.
"You're suppose to be in Ireland."
Malcolm held out his hands. "No choice. My parents found a loophole in my trust fund. If I was declared incompetent, they could get their hands on my money."
"Was it resolved?"
"Yeah."
"You need to go back."
"I will. Molly is being discharged. She's going back to Ireland with me."
"How do you know her?"
"School. We were taking advanced science courses our freshman year. Her parents are divorced and almost as bad as mine. I already found a good school to redo our senior year."
"That makes you look guilty."
"No. It makes Eddie Cattrel guilty." Malcolm shook his head. "I don't know what his deal is. All of those kids that bullied me, bullied him. I told him Linnet asked me on a date. He was mad." He exhaled sharply. "I didn't see it until Rodger and Molly landed in the hospital. Rodger is an athlete. He can play any sport he's ever tried and as far as he's concerned, any guy that doesn't excel at sports is gay. A drug scandal would cost him his scholarships. But Molly, she's a nerd. The people who got hurt bullied her to. The only diference is Eddie. She didn't want me to move in with his family. She wanted nothing to do with him."
Which made sense. She would run it passed Luc. He'd met with Malcolm and understood teenagers better than she did. But it did leave one question. "Why is your social media fake?"
"What?"
"Your social profiles online are fake. Why?"
"Luc." Malcolm sighed. "My parents have been looking for a way around my trust fund for years. When I was thirteen, and allowed to have Internet accounts, I started looking up stories about miracles and other people who had strange experiences. My parents took me to a psychiatrist."
"You have two sisters?" Gwen wondered if she needed to call social services.
"Nessa and Jeannette. Nessa testified against my parents in the competency hearing. She's going to try for custody of Jeannette. My father has a sister Colina that hates him. If Nessa can't get custody, that's plan B."
Gwen stepped down the hall. "Andy, did the police locate Eddie Cattrel? His parents were involved in Cattrel Industries and the new crater in town."
"Yeah." Andy hesitated. "We found him."
"What happened?"
"The big dragon didn't breath fire. Right?"
"No." That wasn't a question she expected from Andy.
"Human remains were found in Eddie Cattrel's car. It looks like a giant fireball hit it."
"When?"
"Two hours ago. DC Cowley said he needed more information before considering calling Torchwood."
"Next time, send me a text message."
"I could get suspended."
"Is Dr. Floyd involved?"
"She is now. She arrived a few minutes ago."
"Thanks."
Torchwood Three
Ianto Jones was in his office preparing to order more supplies. Jack suggested a couple days off. He couldn't picture Jack watching the baby and dealing with the general. Once they had a com connection between Three and Four, Anwen could talk to her brother and as expected, he calmed down. He sat on the floor in the playpen building block towers and babbling to Anwen.
"Anyone there?" Gwen said over the ear com.
"Yep."
"I thought you had the day off."
"Too much to do."
"I sent Jack details on a crime scene. DC Cowley took effort to keep us from noticing the case."
"I will check the search criteria for the police database."
"Do a search on Malcolm Dove's family. Anyone born in or near Cardiff."
"Give me a moment." Ianto quickly used a dedicated laptop for a search. "Colina Dove, Malcom's aunt, and both sisters: Nessa and Jeannette."
"The sisters attend private school?"
"Yep. Ms. Dove is a spiritual consultant and owns her own business."
"Send me the address and details."
That was easy enough. "Sent."
"Have the general talk to Nessa, the older sister. She could be targeted by the people who abducted Payton Borthwick."
"Will do."
"How's Trefor doing?"
Ianto looked over at him. "Good. He has an open com to Torchwood Four."
"Thanks. I owe you. A lot."
"Not a problem." The call ended.
Ianto tapped his ear comm off. He tapped the intercom button. "Gwen called. I am sending details. Welfare check and assessment connected to two separate cases."
"You're in charge now?" The general sounded amused.
"Yep. Office management and babysitting. Same job." He disconnected the intercom.
