Five Go Mad in Cardiff
Chapter Fourteen: Taking Stock
The Fish Plaice had a good location on the High Street and was popular with all ages. It had been a takeaway fish and chip shop for quite a few years before the current owner had changed its name and opened up a small restaurant alongside. Families were welcome and filled the restaurant at weekends and during school holidays. Young people in their first jobs and with money to burn used it as a base later in the evenings, especially when it was cold outside. This chilly Monday only two of the ten tables were occupied – by an elderly couple and a woman on her own - when Gwen led the friends inside. Their reserved table was in the bay window looking out onto the deserted street.
"Sit here, Gwen. Can't have you girls sitting together," said Jack, holding out a chair.
"Ah, okay." She sat, uncomfortable when he took the chair beside her. Her plan to sit as far away as possible had been thwarted. Owen sat on her other side at the head of the rectangular table. Ianto sat opposite Jack with Toshiko opposite Gwen, between Ianto and Owen.
Jack picked up the menu and studied it minutely. "Umm, what shall I have?"
"You always have the same," commented Ianto dryly. He had not bothered to look at his menu. They came here often enough to know exactly what was available.
"Might not."
"You will."
Toshiko laughed. "Can't take you two anywhere."
"It's not me," said Jack and Ianto together.
"Hello, Gwen," said the waiter appearing at the table. "Thought it might be you when I saw the booking. How are you?"
"Good, thanks. This is Euros, friend of mine."
"Nice to meet you, Euros. I'm Jack Harkness." He grinned broadly. "What do you recommend?"
"Huh?"
"Shut up, Jack." Gwen shot him a dirty look. "I'll have cod and chips. Tosh?"
"Same, please," she replied. She too had not bothered with the menu. Owen went for saveloy and chips and Ianto ordered cod. Then they all looked at Jack who still perusing the menu.
"I just can't make up my mind," he said.
"He'll have plaice and chips," said Ianto. "I'll have a Coke and so will he." He plucked the menu from Jack's hand and placed it with his own on the windowsill out of the way.
"Hey!"
The others ordered drinks and Euros departed, pleased to get away. Jack glared at Ianto who chose not to notice. Everyone knew Jack was messing about and also ignored him. Only Gwen mused on the exchange. Ianto had taken charge of Jack like that umpteen times in the past and she had merely been amused but now it had other implications. They really were … a couple, just like Owen and Toshiko. She had to start thinking of them in that way. She tuned back into the conversation.
Ianto was speaking about his mam. "… spent the afternoon clearing out Tad's bureau. It's crammed with stuff and … she seemed to enjoy finding old things."
"It'll be strange for her and Rhiannon from now on," commented Toshiko. She had a hand on Ianto's arm. "I should have that photo she asked for soon. Dad took it and one I wanted to some friend who can do them quickly." Extra prints usually took from three to five days but Mr Sato had promised they would be ready the next day.
"Thanks. What did you three get up to this afternoon?"
"Owen did some gardening." Toshiko couldn't hide her smile. "Then we … talked."
Jack laughed. "First goats now gardening. You're turning into quite the countryman, Owen."
"I am not. I was helping clear up, that's all. Anyway, we need to make some decisions." He sat back as Euros delivered the drinks. Unfortunately the restaurant was not licensed so everyone had either Coke or lemonade. "Cheers, mate."
"Food will be about five minutes. We're waiting on a fresh batch of chips," Euros explained.
"Excellent. I like them hot and crispy." Jack beamed at Euros who made a hasty retreat.
"Cut it out, Jack. You'll frighten him and we'll never get fed." Owen scowled at him. "Now, as I was saying, we have decisions to make."
"That's if you want to talk about it, Ianto," added Gwen quickly.
"This is about Tad?" He looked round and got the confirmation he needed. "Of course I want to talk about it. What have you found out? I haven't really taken it all in what with ... everything."
"Not found any more," said Toshiko. She looked round but their table was set apart and no one could overhear them. "And the more I think about it what we do know is mainly supposition. There are very few facts."
"We know enough," put in Jack, serious now. "We know there's an underground fight club run by Mark Lynch that involves strange creatures. Wounds inflicted by those creatures are the same as Mr Jones's, and seven other people who also died. The men who ended up in hospital are, we assume, members of the fight club even though they're not saying."
"From everything I've seen so far," put in Owen, "it's a safe guess. They weren't hurt on purpose. Going in that cage isn't supposed to hurt or kill. It's to prove your bravery. Your manhood."
"Men!" Gwen raised her eyes skywards. "Only they'd be so stupid."
"And you love us for it." Jack grinned at her. "Anyway, it's clear these creatures are –"
Toshiko interrupted. "Hang on, Jack. You keep saying 'creatures' like there's more than one. Do we know that for sure?" Despite all his preparations, Jack had hinted at his secret knowledge.
Ianto rescued him. "Bit of a coincidence otherwise. One creature in all those places as well these fights?" He shook his head. "More likely to be two or three or least. And don't forget the sightings reported in the papers."
"Can't see Lynch letting his creature go. He'd keep it locked up somewhere," added Owen.
"That makes sense," said Toshiko. "Sorry, Jack, I interrupted."
"No, it was a good point. I should have explained better. Where was I? Oh yeah. The creatures are dangerous though we don't know where they came from or what they are yet. You got any more ideas on that, Owen?" He felt he had to ask or Toshiko would pick up on that too.
"Not really. One I saw was like a human but … deformed. Didn't … feel like one though." He shrugged. "Sorry, can't explain any better."
"Doesn't really matter," put in Ianto thinking they were getting into dangerous waters. "That can be sorted out later. What are the police doing? What's Andy's role?"
"The cops are investigating the fight club, though they thought it was just bareknuckle stuff. Now they've seen the creature they're having to rethink their ideas. Andy didn't say anything about Uncle Emlyn or the other deaths."
Gwen snorted. "That's because they're being swept under the carpet. Sorry, Ianto, but no one seems to be willing to investigate them properly."
"Or it's one hand not knowing what the other is doing," added Jack. "You said the CID people were keeping the investigation all hush-hush. Maybe they haven't made the link. We didn't say anything to Andy either. If he knew we had a personal interest I don't think he'd talk to us."
The discussion broke off when Euros appeared with their food. After adding salt, vinegar and ketchup as required, they began to eat and Toshiko took up the discussion.
"I was thinking about this club. Back in olden times clubs like this didn't just have bareknuckle fights. There were cock fights and dog fights too."
"That's barbaric," commented Gwen. She still missed the old family dog that had died the previous year.
"I know. But my point is, this one could have done the same. Maybe when the creatures were discovered – we are going to have to give them a name, by the way – they pitted them against dogs first, a bit like bearbaiting. Could even have hunted them. It might be that that gave rise to the sightings." She speared a chip and put it in her mouth.
"Interesting," said Jack. "You may have something there; we should ask Andy. According to him, the club's been around a while but no one would talk until one man was so badly hurt his wife made him. That was how they arranged for Andy to infiltrate it."
"That is so weird. I can't imagine Andy going undercover," laughed Gwen.
Owen swallowed his mouthful. "Which is a good thing. The less he looks like a cop the better."
"The fight last night was the first he got invited to," explained Jack. "His job was to find out when and where the next one's going to be held so the cops can raid it. Which is why he was so pleased to see Owen hanging out with Lynch. He thought he'd found someone to tell him." Jack stuffed a fork laden with two chips into his mouth and chewed.
"Why didn't he suspect Owen?" asked Ianto. "He could have been part of the gang."
"Knows me better than that," said Owen offended. "Better than you by the sounds of it! Besides, he knows I'm in London. Hardly going to charge down here every five minutes."
Gwen disagreed. "Ianto has a point. Andy should have checked at least; Lynch could be your friend for all he knows. Didn't you say he was a Londoner?"
"I think we're getting off the point a bit," put in Jack. "Maybe Andy knows more about Lynch than he let on. Whatever, he trusted Owen was on the side of the angels which for once he is."
"For once?" protested Owen.
Jack ignored him. "And we need more information about him, about Lynch. What do you two know?" He looked at Owen and Toshiko.
"I don't like him," she said. "He's tall, good-looking and obviously got money but he's too full of himself. I know he helped us out in the pub when he didn't have to but I still couldn't take to him."
"Sounds a bit like Jack," mused Ianto. Jack met Ianto's gaze and recognised the mischievous smile; he was being teased.
"Lynch isn't as annoying as Jack." Owen grinned openly when Jack rolled his eyes, unable to speak for the food in his mouth. "I like the guy, Lynch that is. He's worked hard to get where he is and while he can be a bit arrogant, he's friendly enough."
"He only took you up because you're a medical student, that's what you said. He needed your skills." Gwen paused. "Why was that? Doesn't he have his own doctor?"
"He's away. Lynch told me on the drive back to Sully. And that's why I know the next fight is on Wednesday. Wants me for that one too."
Gwen looked thoughtful. "What does he get out of it? Must cost something to set up."
"The thrill, the risk," replied Jack. "Has to be. Maybe members of the club have to pay a subscription too. We'd have to ask Andy. The thing is, what do we do with all this information? Andy implied he wanted Owen's help but we won't know for sure until they meet tomorrow. There doesn't seem to be anything for the rest of us to do – if we get involved at all."
"If Owen's involved, we're all involved," said Ianto stoutly. "We can't let him go off with Lynch on his own."
"He'll have police backup," pointed out Gwen.
"They haven't exactly done a bang-up job so far."
Toshiko could see Gwen's hackles rise; it was all right for her to criticise her colleagues but not anyone else. Toshiko spoke quickly to defuse the situation. "This CID team might be better than Grainger. I say we wait until we hear from Andy then we can decide if there's anything we can do. It's such a pity you're not involved in the investigation, Gwen. Any chance of getting in on it?"
"I doubt it. Could keep my eyes and ears open though, might pick up something." As everyone had finished eating, she reached into her bag for her cigarettes.
"Have one of mine," said Owen, pulling out a battered pack.
"Seems we have to wait then," summarised Jack. "We may not be able to do anything to help, but I agree we shouldn't let Owen go alone if he's in any danger. Could you take Ianto or me along? Or would Lynch smell a rat?"
"Might set off alarm bells. So, we going to meet tomorrow?"
"I'm working," said Gwen. "Be off at five. Though you could meet without me." She didn't want them to but felt she had to offer.
"We'll wait for you, Gwen. Need your expertise." Jack put an arm round her shoulders and half-hugged her.
The brief contact was as thrilling as before and Gwen had to steel herself not to lean into him. She had to keep her dignity, what was left of it, intact. She hoped that, in time, she would be able to be natural around him again but for now she had to keep up her guard. "Thanks," she muttered as he released her.
Toshiko was chewing her lip. "There is just one thing. I can't stay much longer. I have to get back to college."
"We all do," confirmed Jack. "When are you expected back?" He glanced at Ianto who was staring at his empty plate. They would be going back to Harvard together but had not spoken about when.
"I promised to call my tutor tomorrow, let him know. But Mum and Dad will think it's odd if I stay much longer."
Owen put a hand on top of her clasped ones, linking his fingers through hers. "We've got to see this through which means me staying until Thursday at least. I'd like you to stay too then we can go back together. If we travelled on Thursday, we'd have Friday to check in and the weekend to start catching up."
"What about you two?" asked Gwen, looking at Ianto and Jack.
Ianto refused to meet her gaze and it was Jack who answered. "No plans but … I think I should be heading back at the weekend at the latest. Ianto might want to stay a bit longer."
The words cut through Ianto like a knife. For all his earlier thoughts about the restrictions of home and not wanting to live in Penarth any longer, leaving his mam was going to be a wrench. Until today he had not thought far beyond the funeral and then the mystery of the Weevils had clouded the issue, made him assume he didn't have to make a decision until that was resolved. But the others couldn't stay, of course they couldn't. Toshiko and Owen had to get back to their studies. And Jack. Ianto did too if he was to get a decent degree and live up to his tad's expectations. He raised his eyes to meet Jack's concerned gaze and smiled briefly.
"You're right. We do need to get back. I'll talk to Mam but … yeah, I think we should aim for the weekend." He looked round the table. "You've given up so much time for me and I haven't thanked you properly. I do appreciate it." His eyes filled and he blinked rapidly. Ever since Jack had got him angry and made him cry it seemed he couldn't stop.
"Oh come here." Toshiko hugged him. "We stay until Thursday then. But I shall have to do some work before then."
"Me too!" agreed Jack. He smiled encouragingly at Ianto, wishing he could be the one hugging him. "I have piles of reading to do if my thesis is ever going to get written."
"That's settled then," confirmed Owen. "I'll meet Andy tomorrow but otherwise, we get stuck into the books."
"And I'll see what I can find out from my end," added Gwen. She felt a bit excluded now all four of her friends were at university and had experiences she couldn't share. "How about a drink tomorrow night to catch up?"
"I'll need one by then. A day of Cervantes in the original Spanish always sends me to the nearest bar." Jack pulled a face. He could not mention that he expected to meet Mr Sato the following day too.
"Okay to take the plates away?" asked Euros, the waiter. "Would you like a sweet?" He began stacking the dirty crockery.
"Ice creams all round," replied Jack. "And I'll have another Coke." He drained his glass and balanced it on the plates Euros was holding.
-ooOoo-
It didn't start to rain again until they were half way to Sully. Jack switched on the wipers and slowed slightly. The wind was strong and the road already wet; he didn't want to have an accident. "I can't believe she saw us. Thank God her parents' bedroom is at the front." Toshiko had just told him about her conversation with Gwen.
"Must eat a lot of carrots," said Owen from the back seat. He was lounging sideways with his eyes closed. All the boys were feeling the effects of their interrupted night and cramped sleeping conditions which was why the friends had not prolonged the evening.
"She took it pretty well," went on Toshiko. "Considering."
"Considering she's got the hots for you, Jack!" Owen sniggered. "Can't believe she didn't know about you and Ianto."
Jack was quiet for a moment. His talk with Ianto the night before had made him realise that he had been less than honest with his friends and family about his sexuality. He didn't intend to shout it from the rooftops or tell everyone but perhaps he should test the waters. "We've only ever been friends, Owen. Until the last couple of days, that is. I am … homosexual but Ianto isn't. He's had plenty of girlfriends, real ones."
Owen sat up suddenly, staring at Jack. "You mean you two aren't … doing it?"
"I don't understand," said Toshiko quietly. "I always thought you were … together." She glanced over her shoulder at Owen and saw her confusion mirrored on his face.
"I love Ianto but never … pushed it in case he didn't reciprocate." Jack grinned suddenly. "Then I found out he loves me too. On Saturday. It was the happiest day of my life."
"When you were out on the beach. I thought something must have happened."
"Hang on, I don't get it. You're queer but he's not? He's had girlfriends?" Owen sat forward, leaning on the back of Toshiko's seat.
"It's complicated but … we love one another, that's all that matters. To me, anyway."
"And to us, Jack. I am so pleased." Toshiko beamed at him.
Owen was not so sure. "Yeah, but –"
"Drop it, Owen!"
Jack laughed. "Sorry to lay this on you but I had to tell someone. Actually, you're the first people I've come out to. Thanks for taking it so well."
"It doesn't make any difference to us. You're our friend, Jack." She leant forward and pecked his cheek.
"There is one thing," said Owen. "You know it's illegal, don't you?" Toshiko had told him about her chat with Gwen earlier and briefed him to mention the need for caution.
"Bit hard not to."
"Yeah, but Gwen's a copper. She said some of her mates on the force are none too happy about queers out on the streets. You both need to be careful."
"You don't mean Gwen would –"
"Of course not!" exclaimed Toshiko. "But she did mention it. And she's right. You will be careful, won't you?"
He was touched by their concern yet surprised they thought it necessary to warn him. Reaction to homosexuals in the States was harsher than in the UK and he had learnt early on not to flaunt his feelings. Others may wear garish clothes and kiss in public but that wasn't for him. He didn't want to have to hide away but neither could he take the abuse or even hatred that kind of behaviour attracted. One day, he hoped, he'd be able to act as he wanted in public as well as private but until then he would always opt for being safe.
"Yes, I will," he said eventually.
"And you'll make sure Ianto is?"
"This is Ianto we're talking about. The Ianto who hates making a scene. Doesn't even like me wearing this coat because it attracts attention." Jack grinned.
"Maybe you shouldn't. Wear it, I mean."
"Don't be daft, Tosh. That coat's part of Jack now. Looks really weird without it." Owen sat back in his seat. "Besides, lot of blokes are wearing them on Carnaby Street. There's a couple of shops only sell old Army gear."
"You mean I'm fashionable?" Jack was preening.
"For now. Probably change in a couple of weeks, so make the most of it."
They continued to chat until they reached Sully. Jack waited until they were inside and then reversed out of the drive. He was tired – he still couldn't work out how he ended up on the floor the night before – and yet not yet ready for sleep as he drove slowly along the now familiar streets. As he came up to the end of High Drive where Mark Lynch lived, he made a sudden decision to take a look at the place. He did not know why and even as he parked a couple of houses up he had no idea what he was doing there.
The house sat back from the road on a large plot of land halfway down the cul-de-sac. It was a new property of a design unlike the other houses in the road. Built of brick, it had two stories and an integral garage and was quite plain on the outside. No lights were showing. From his position, Jack could see the front garden; a patch of grass with flower beds and a small statue. At this time of year there was nothing much growing there. There was a tantalising glimpse into the back garden but Jack could not see much. It looked as if there was an outbuilding that was too big to be a shed. He was reminded of Owen's throwaway comment about Lynch keeping his creature locked up. Could this be where it was kept?
Intrigued, Jack went to investigate. The rain had become a constant drizzle and he fastened his coat and pulled up the collar. Walking slowly towards the house, he discovered a dark passage running between the wall of Lynch's property and its neighbour. Entering the passage, he took a couple of paces but it was very dark. Returning to the car, he got a large torch from the boot grateful that Mr Cooper was such a careful man. Back in the passage, the torch showed a muddy path with bushes on one side and an eight foot wall topped with broken glass on the other. Jack ventured further in. A gate led into the neighbour's garden but the wall to Lynch's property was unbroken. Jack kept on walking. The passage ended at a patch of scrub land. At some point there had been allotments but now it was overgrown with brambles and a few young trees. Shining the torch to the left, Jack discovered the path, such as it was, continued along the back of the properties. To the right, it ran ten yards or so then hit the wall of a dogleg in Lynch's garden. There was a gate in the wall. Intrigued, Jack examined it; a thick wooden affair. He pushed against it but it didn't budge, either locked or barred on the other side. Finding a stone resting against the wall, he balanced on it and peered over the wall.
Uh -oh, only bad can come of this ...