Five Go Mad in Cardiff
Chapter Twelve: The Funeral
Gwen tapped on the bedroom door tentatively. "Jack?"
"Come in. I'm decent."
She opened the door and stepped in. "What's going on? I know you couldn't tell Mam and Dad anything but surely you can tell me."
Jack had been back for three quarters of an hour. He had apologised for Owen and Ianto sleeping in the house without getting permission first, playing up the lateness of the hour and Ianto's agitation and glossing over Owen's reasons for being there. Luckily time was limited and he had not been pressed to explain further to Mr and Mrs Cooper. Gwen, however, was determined to find out more.
"I told them what I could. Ianto did come because of a row; he was in a terrible state. As for Owen … Push the door to."
Jack sat on the bed and pulled on his boots, his one concession to fashion on this formal occasion. His two-piece suit was black with a fine grey stripe and worn with a crisp white shirt which Mrs Cooper had kindly ironed for him. Standing, he threaded a belt through his trousers and then pulled braces over his shoulders.
"Belt and braces?" she asked with a smile. It was hard to believe what she had seen the night before when he was so clearly the same as always. This was Jack, handsome and clever who everyone turned to for advice and help. She must have misunderstood what was going on in the garden.
"Old habit." He reached for the plain black tie and fastened it.
"But what about Owen?"
He quickly filled her in on all had happened to their friend. "He's 90% sure the wounds made by the creature are the same as Mr Jones's and those the guys in hospital had. We're guessing they weren't so lucky in the cage." He adjusted the knot of the black tie, looking critically in the mirror to check it was correct.
"This has got to be reported, Jack. The police can interview this man Lynch and get him to give up his associates."
"They already know about the fights though the creature took them by surprise. That's why we disappeared so early this morning. Had a meeting with the undercover cop who was at the fight." He reached for the jacket. "You'll never guess who it is."
"Huh! I know dozens of policemen and can think of … oh, six off the top of my head that would be perfect." She folded her arms and raised her eyebrows. "So, surprise me."
"Andy Davidson." He laughed when her mouth dropped open. "Told you." He settled the jacket more comfortably on his shoulders before checking in the mirror again. He liked to look good.
"Andy? Why him?" She took the clothes brush out of his hand and used it to remove tiny pieces of lint. With her other hand on his arm, she turned him slightly. His broad shoulders and well-muscled back felt good and a tremor passed through her; she had to be wrong about what she had seen.
"Because no one knows him in Cardiff. You haven't picked up any rumours of this at the station?"
"No. Though CID have been having a lot of meetings. I think that's why DC Grainger has been doing more."
"He doesn't normally? I think you've got everything now."
"Oh." She put down the clothes brush and stepped away. "And no, he doesn't. He's mainly on paperwork."
"Interesting. Anyway, nothing to be done about it now. More important things to think about." He thought of Ianto and hoped he was coping. "You look good."
"It's a bit dressy but it's all I have in black." The short, belted dress was plain with white ribbon detail around the mandarin collar, short sleeves and hem. A gold cross and wrist watch were her only jewellery. Her hair was caught up under a pill box hat, the kind popularised by Jackie Kennedy. "I'll be wearing a coat anyway, bound to be freezing in the church."
"They always are."
Gwen started suspiciously when the door was pushed fully open and Rhys entered. He looked from one to the other. "What's going on?"
"I was telling Gwen about Owen and Ianto. She can fill you in." Jack checked his trouser pockets: keys, handkerchief, change - all present. He put his wallet in an inside pocket.
"'Bout time someone did."
Rhys stood waiting. There had definitely been an atmosphere in the room when he'd come in and Gwen was looking guilty. Was Jack making a move on her? Was he a threat? Rhys had been wary of Jack's charms ever since he had known him and been happy when he moved three thousand miles away. It made Rhys doubt the advice Jack had given him the previous night; had he deliberately pointed him in the wrong direction? If he had, it undermined Rhys's plans.
"Almost time we were off," said Jack and departed with a smile.
"Well?" demanded Rhys.
"Not now, Rhys. I'll tell you later, after the funeral. Best you don't know until then."
"Why's that?" he pressed. "You trying to fob me off?"
She was exasperated. "No. It's because you've got a big mouth. They don't call you Rhys the Rant for nothing! I'm going to get my coat." She flounced out leaving him to stare after her.
-ooOoo-
Ianto found her in the garden, a lone figure staring down at the vegetables. "Okay, Mam?"
Mrs Jones turned to face him. "Yes, dear. Your tad was always out here, especially on a fine morning like this. A sunny day in October was a bonus, that's what he always said."
"I remember." They stood side by side looking at the neat rows of plants, evidence of Emlyn Jones's industry. "Will you keep it going?" he asked eventually.
"I'll try. I'll have the time and I expect the neighbours will tell me when to plant and all the other things." She smiled. "It'll keep me busy." Time was going to hang heavily, especially in the evenings when Rhiannon was out with her friends leaving her alone in the house. But she would get used to it; she had no option. "You look smart."
He was wearing a dark grey three piece suit made for him by his tad, a Christmas present. The jacket had a watered silk lining in vivid red, Ianto's favourite colour. "It's the best I've ever had."
She laughed. "And you've had plenty! He loved making them for you. I'm sure that's why you were so fussy with your clothes even when you were a little boy."
"Probably."
"Enid, it's time we were getting ready." Aunt Nerys had come out of the house and stood a few paces away. "The cars will be here soon."
"I only have to put my coat on." She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. It was time to say a formal goodbye to her husband. From today she would only have her memories and his children to remind her of their years together.
Ten minutes later the hearse and two large cars pulled up outside the house. Putting aside their differences, Ianto and Rhiannon got into the first car with their mother and Meurig Jones. Aunt Nerys rode in the second car with Emlyn Jones's sister, her husband and Meurig's wife. Uncle Bryn had already left in the estate car; needed to ferry mourners back to the house for the tea and cake already set up.
-ooOoo-
Albert Road was a quiet residential street on the side of one of Penarth's many hills. Halfway along its length stood the Methodist Church, built at the end of the Victorian Gothic revival when congregations were large and attendance almost compulsory. Now, in an era of rapid social change, the Minister had to work hard to attract worshippers and one addition was a car park to make it easier for those who had to travel a greater distance. Mr Sato drove in and neatly parked in one of the marked spaces.
"I don't see the Coopers' car," said Toshiko. The trip had been a bit uncomfortable, her parents saying little, their way of expressing disapproval of Owen's supposed row with her. She was regretting her stupid lie and desperately trying to smooth things over.
"We are a little early." Mr Sato glanced at the clock on the dashboard: 10.10.
"It's a fine day, at least," added Mrs Sato. The sun had come out just as they left Sully.
After a moment or two's silence, Owen said, "There's some people by the door of the church. Should we go join 'em?"
"Are they anyone you know?" asked Toshiko.
"Nah. Mum never came back here and I only met Ianto a couple of times before I came that time I met you. Don't recognise anyone." It seemed strange that these people might be his relations. Joan Harper, Jones as she was then, had left Wales as a teenager and never looked back, cutting herself off from most of her family unless she wanted something. As a result, Owen had grown up with only a shadowy notion of his various Welsh uncles, aunts and cousins.
When the Coopers arrived a few minutes later, the two parties greeted one another. The parents talked sombrely while their children stood a little apart, catching up and watching out for Jack who had gone to collect an elderly neighbour for Mrs Jones. Owen spotted the manager from Debenhams among a group of half a dozen who clearly also worked there. They were among a growing number of mourners: Emlyn Jones was going out in style.
"There's Jack," said Toshiko, seeing the Hillman Imp pull up outside the church. He helped a woman out before parking the car. "He looks good."
"And I don't?" demanded Owen.
"No," said Gwen categorically. Owen and Rhys did not own suits and while they looked smart in trousers and jackets they did not have Jack's casual elegance.
Jack jogged up to join them. "Hi. Time we were going in." He ran a hand through his hair to make sure it was tidy and fastened a button on his jacket.
Gwen had to look away. Her eyes alighted on Rhys and the comparison made her wince. To hide her discomfort, she linked an arm through Rhys's and said, "Come on then." She led him over to the parents.
They all moved towards the church and Jack managed to delay Mr Sato, getting him on his own. "We need to talk, sir."
"Really?"
"Yes, sir. About unnatural creatures that maim and kill people. Creatures like this." He produced the photograph he had persuaded Andy Davidson to lend him.
Mr Sato stopped to look at it. Then he handed it back, fixing Jack with a level stare. "What do you know about this?"
Jack met his gaze steadily. "Quite a lot. And my guess is you know a heck of lot more."
"I will find you after the service."
Mr Sato walked off, rejoining the others. Jack put the photograph away. He was not looking forward to the conversation but it had to be done. If their speculation was correct, Mr Jones had been killed by one of these creatures and Mr Sato could well have known about it. What was Jack to do with the knowledge? Tell Ianto or not? Already suspicious of Mr Sato and Torchwood, the secret organisation he worked for, it could only increase Ianto's distrust.
The inside of the church did not match the solid grandeur of the outside. Bombed during the War, it had been rebuilt in a time of austerity and everywhere was plain. Chairs had replaced the pews and the windows were now fitted with clear glass. But with the rebuilding had come central heating and it was pleasantly warm as mourners filled up the seats. Mr and Mrs Cooper sat with Mr and Mrs Sato halfway down the aisle and the children sat in the row behind. Owen had refused to sit with other members of the family, preferring to be among friends rather than people he did not know. Jack was on the end of the row, next to Toshiko, and spotted the men from the pub all sitting together slightly further back. He nodded a greeting.
"Lovely flowers," whispered Toshiko. There were three large displays at the front of the church with a dozen or more wreaths laid against the altar steps.
"Umm. You look lovely too," replied Jack. She was in a navy blue dress with matching short jacket. A green scarf tucked into the collar matched the emerald brooch on her breast.
"You say all the right things, Jack Harkness."
"I try." The organist changed into a traditional march. "This is it," he said under his breath as the congregation stood. Toshiko gripped his hand.
The Minister led the cortege slowly up the aisle. The coffin was topped by a single spray of red and white roses and followed by Mrs Jones flanked by Ianto and Rhiannon. Ianto kept his eyes on the coffin with just a sideways glance and slight smile for his friends. The service followed traditional lines and despite his lack of religious beliefs, Ianto found the familiar words strangely comforting. His mother and Rhiannon cried softly but he was dry-eyed until they sang Abide With Me. The rich Welsh voices of the men in the congregation filled the church and Ianto let go of his final reserve. His tad had sung this hymn many times - at church, in the garden and on the stands of Cardiff Arms Park – and Ianto was reminded of them all. He let the tears fall. In the years to come, if ever he wanted to feel close to his father, he only had to play this fine hymn.
The service ended and the congregation filed out after the coffin into the adjoining graveyard. The committal ceremony was brief and soon mourners were moving away leaving the immediate family a few moments alone. Ianto looked down into the grave and said a silent goodbye to a loving father whose life had been cruelly cut short. Beside him, Mrs Jones was comforting Rhiannon who was still crying. Eventually they too left the graveside, stopping to admire the wreaths before joining friends and family milling around in front of the church. The family accepted condolences as they in turn thanked the mourners for attending. Ianto finally got to join his friends.
"It was a lovely service, Ianto," said Gwen, embracing him.
"Good turn out," added Owen.
"Expected you to be with the rest of the family. Lose your bottle?" asked Ianto. He moved away from Gwen, looking round for Jack.
"I don't know 'em, Ianto. Auntie Enid didn't mind, did she?" Owen was anxious, afraid he had offended the only aunt he did know and like.
"Of course not. Where's Jack?"
Toshiko answered. "Over there, talking to those men. Can I have a hug?"
Ianto bent down and held her close for a moment. "Thanks for coming, all of you. I really appreciate it." His voice was husky with emotion.
"Who are those men?" asked Gwen. She had been surprised when Jack had left them to talk to strangers.
"Friends of Tad's. I'd better go and say a few words." He walked away, across to where Jack was in deep conversation with Cade Price and his drinking companions. "Hello. Thanks for coming."
"That was a fine service," said Charlie. "One of the better ones."
"All down to your singing," said Jack. "I was telling them, Ianto, how great it was."
"We heard you too. Not a bad voice for a Yank." Cade shook Ianto's hand. "You did well, lad. Looked after your mam as you should."
"I think she was looking after me." Ianto smiled as Jack moved to stand beside him. "I hope you're all coming back to the house. There's quite a spread laid on."
The men hummed and hawed until finally Cade and Maddoc agreed, the others having to get to work. "I must admit," said Cade confidentially, "I'd like a chat to Nerys Griffiths. Fine woman that, a fine woman."
Jack laughed. "She's gone back to get everything ready but I'll make sure to introduce you. I have a couple of spare places in the car if you'd like a lift."
-ooOoo-
Nearly forty people attended the wake. Family were outnumbered by friends and neighbours and everyone mixed in together. Aunt Nerys took charge in the kitchen, helped by Meurig's wife, making pots of tea which Gwen, Toshiko and some of Rhiannon's friends took round to the guests. Ianto introduced Owen to his relations. Owen discovered he hadn't missed much by not knowing them before; they seemed far too ready to tell tales of his mother's wayward youth and criticise her current lifestyle. He had to keep a short rein on his temper. Mrs Jones and Rhiannon circulated among the other guests, spread throughout the house and spilling into the garden. Jack was out there, chatting to Cade and Maddoc about their meeting with Aunt Nerys, when Mr Sato caught his eye and nodded towards the back gate. A few minutes later, Jack excused himself and followed Mr Sato into the alley running along the back of the house.
"You wished to talk." Mr Sato walked slowly along the alley, hands clasped behind his back.
Jack fell in alongside. "Yes." He did not intend to make this easy. There were questions to be asked and he was determined to get answers, for his own sake as well as Ianto's.
When Jack didn't elaborate, Mr Sato said, "My car is parked at the end here. We can be private there."
"Fine."
The sat in the front seats of the Rover staring out of the windscreen. "What is it you want to say, Jack?"
"What are they, those creatures?"
"We do not know their real name. We call them Weevils."
"Weevils?" Jack twisted to look at his companion who continued to look straight ahead.
"Yes. They are an alien race of unknown origin. I have told you about the Rift in space here in Cardiff; the Weevils fell through it and landed here. No one is sure when the first ones arrived but at least forty years ago."
"So they made a home here."
"In the sewers. They live on the rats and other vermin they find there and avoid contact with humans. Usually."
"Except when they murder people. Good people like Emlyn Jones." Jack felt his anger rise but kept it under control. He needed answers and this was the only man who could provide them.
Mr Sato sighed, letting the breath out slowly. He met Jack's gaze. "Occasionally a Weevil will go rogue and come to the surface. And sometimes they are forced out when the sewers flood. There have been many heavy storms in the past weeks."
"If you know that, why don't you catch them?"
"We try. There are too many of them and too few of us, of Torchwood. Incidents are unavoidable."
"Unavoidable!" Jack slammed a fist on the dashboard. "Mr Jones is dead!"
"I know. He was my friend and I regret that -"
"You regret?" Jack spat out the word. "Not enough to tell his family what happened to him."
"And how would that help!" For the first time in their acquaintance, Mr Sato raised his voice. "Would it make it easier for Enid? No, it would not. Let her and her family believe he died with some dignity."
"Emlyn Jones was mauled by a … a Weevil and left to bleed to death on the filthy ground at the back of Debenhams. You could have stopped it."
"How?"
"By rounding up these things and destroying them."
"I told you, there are too many of them."
"How many?" Jack demanded. He was frustrated, wanting someone to blame for the death but finding Mr Sato's arguments difficult to refute. "Ten? A hundred?"
"We estimate there are over three thousand in Cardiff alone."
Jack sat back against the door, stunned. "Three thousand?"
"Yes. Now, tell me what you know, leave nothing out."
After a long pause, Jack said, "Tosh and I thought Mr Jones's death was not as it's been reported so we started looking into it. Owen looked at the hospital records and discovered the strange wounds and Tosh found the other seven people who've died. Yet more men have similar wounds but survived. Gwen arranged for us to speak to the policeman, the one who investigated all the deaths. I suppose you made sure it was the same man every time."
"Detective Constable Grainger has been helpful. Gwen told you he was the investigating officer in every case?"
"No, she just told us he'd done a lousy job." Jack made a disparaging noise. "If a rookie knows that then your organisation is in trouble."
"We had to work fast."
"By rushing the inquest and using the same funeral home. Establishes a pattern, Mr Sato. Not very professional."
"We did not expect such close scrutiny." The older man was impressed with Jack's grasp of the requirements of a cover up. Even without training, he had the instincts of a good operative. "Perhaps I should have realised that once you and your friends got together you would get to the truth."
"What I don't see is where the fights fit in."
"Fights?"
"Yeah." Jack paused, surprised. "You do know about the fights? Men going into a cage to fight a Weevil."
"No." It was Mr Sato's turn to be surprised.
"You really don't." Jack shook his head in wonder. "There's a man, Mark Lynch, who has an underground fight club. Used to be bareknuckle which started the cops investigating but now it's Weevils too. They gave me the picture."
"Owen went to see someone called Lynch."
"That's the man. Owen's been to a fight. Came to tell me all about it last night. First thing this morning we met up with the undercover cop, who we happen to know."
"That is where he was." Mr Sato sat for a few minutes processing this new information. "This explains much. The dead Weevils we have found. The injured men. And the increased numbers on the streets." He glanced at Jack. "We study the Weevils and keep some in cells. They have been agitated lately."
"They can tell something's happening?"
"A possible telepathic link. The fights must be stopped."
"Why? If they kill a few of these Weevils so much the better."
"And if it merely serves to agitate the rest? To make them rise up and fight back? There will be many more innocent people killed if that happens."
"Hadn't thought about that," admitted Jack. "So what do we do?"
"I am not sure. I need to look into this, check out Mr Lynch." He looked away, going over all that had to be done. "Can you meet me tomorrow?
"I guess."
"Good. And now we should get back."
-ooOoo-
"Where have you been? I've been looking all over for you."
"I've been here." Jack smiled at Ianto. "Did you want me for something special or were you just missing me?"
"You've found him. You been hiding, Jack?" asked Gwen. Toshiko, Owen and Rhys were with her.
Owen spoke before Jack had to reply. "We were thinking of going out this evening. Meal or the pictures. What do you think?"
"Up to Ianto." Jack turned to him. "Want to come out?"
"Not the pictures. A meal would be all right." They settled on the fish restaurant at seven.
"We're going to my place for the afternoon," said Gwen. "Uncle Bryn will pick Rhys up from there." He and the Burtons were returning to Trecastle that afternoon. "Join us when you're ready."
"Will do." Jack looked after them, wondering why Gwen hadn't insisted he go too. Was Rhys's attraction stronger than his? He felt insulted.
