Victoria Park; Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada
Thursday, August 12, 2021
Erin Sylla spread a new tablet cloth over the picnic table. Unpacking the dishes unfortunately reminded her of De Waal Park. She suspected she would always remember that nightmare in vivid detail. Knowing that the three of them survived unharmed as a result of time change did little to help her nerves.
Luc walked over, resting a hand on the small of her back. He and Aman discussed security in depth. They had weapons, portal devices, and a drone overhead. Her, Kailen and Aman's childhood ended on a similar bright, warm day halfway across the world. Luc wasn't there that day, but he'd survived much worse. They would never take an outing for granted ever again.
"Looks good."
Erin smiled. "Where are Kailen and Aman?"
"Arguing. Kailen wants to renew their vows for their anniversary." Erin didn't need to see Luc to know he was shaking his head. "Since their wedding was disrupted by terrorists."
Erin laughed. "Terrorists, Aman's father, and Idrissa." She took a moment. "If we ever get married, we're going to do a civil ceremony at the courthouse."
Luc set his hands on her hips. "The new sentinels can be deployed for the renewal ceremony. I spoke to Idrissa about third generation biomechs. Short of an alien invasion, Kailen will get his photo album."
"He's such a girl."
Luc kissed the top of her head. "You would be worse."
Probably. "If we're getting another weekend at a fancy hotel, I'll need to shop."
"I saw an advertisement for that store you like at the mall. It has fall dresses."
Erin laughed. "I was thinking lingerie." She could picture him turning bright red.
Luc's response was interrupted by a small boy walking up to the picnic table. He looked six or seven and eyed the food like he hadn't eaten in awhile. Luc released her and stepped back. She looked around and listened, wondering if the child was lost or worse.
"Hi," Erin said softly.
"I'm hungry."
Erin found a plate and set it out for the boy. "Have a seat."
She could hear Luc talking quietly on a com unit with Aman. Luc didn't think it was a simple wandering kid situation either.
The boy struggled to pull himself onto the bench. Then looked confused as she set food on his plate.
"My brother and I are from South Africa. I made food that reminds us of home."
The kid was too hungry to be picky. He grabbed a mini sausage roll and popped it in his mouth.
Erin thought about the water bottles. She quickly found one and set it in front of the boy. "Slow down. You don't want to upset your stomach."
Luc Sarkisian remote-accessed the drone and reviewed the scan results. Nothing indicated a problem. A wandering American child could be a lost tourist or part of a relocated family. Except the boy looked seriously neglected, sick or both. It made him think of Karoly Avent. She'd been found in New Brunswick. One of the Portland, Maine cases Detective Johnson connected to Charlaine Legrae. Or it could be completely unrelated
"The kid arrived alone," Aman said. "A single set of footprints. From the way he was walking, he's sick or weak."
"I need to contact Jack," Luc concluded. "If this is another Tourtellotte situation, we need to avoid the political mess the girl caused in Dublin."
"London is operational."
Luc suspected sending the child overseas would make the situation worse.
Torchwood Nova Scotia; Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada
Eryn Sylla tucked Bobby into a large bed. The room had been Hana's. For whatever reason she didn't take a teddy bear Matt bought her when she left. It made the boy look smaller, laying in the middle of the bed gripping the large, stuffed toy.
"I'm going to leave the door open. If you need anything, I'm in the next room."
The kid was too quiet, Eryn thought, walking out of the room. He said his name was Bobby, but wouldn't answer her other questions. Whether the child was connected to Legrae or not, he'd been through something. Domestic abuse, abduction/abuse, medical experimentation or the unfortunate the options under Torchwood jurisdiction. They were caring for him until they had a better idea what happened to him.
Her parents weren't what most people would consider normal. But she had everything she needed. Until Beaupre and Basanto tried to kill her and Kailen. Then their father died. She couldn't help but relate to the little boy finding refuge in a foreign country far from home.
Aman waited out of view of the door. "Rex is trying to figure out legalities." He kept his voice down. "As the child is in Canada and probably American, it's complicated by politics." Aman shakes his head. "It's being argued that Torchwood is an embassy, or foreign soil, and Bobby was removed from Canada without consulting America."
That confused her. "For what country?"
"That's being argued. Since the International Criminal Court is located in the Netherlands, and Torchwood's legal authority is similar, it could be viewed as an extension and therefore a Netherlands embassy."
Eryn shook her head.
"Wales has also been suggested."
"A British embassy," Eryn said. That could be problematic, but Director Matheson and Captain Harkness were both physically there and had experience dealing with the country's politics.
Aman smiled. "No. The American suggesting it doesn't understand Wales is part of Great Britain."
Eryn laughed.
Aman Oliviera entered Kailen's lab and walked over to him. He stood, reviewing drone data from Victoria Park. The Mounties were still determining where Bobby came from and why. Aman hugged Kailen from behind. Kailen set his hands over Aman's.
"Do we have to argue?"
Kailen tried for humor. "Not if I get what I want."
"Azrael volunteered to secure the site." They both found it ridiculous. Aman suspected the renewal plans were anxiety much like the original wedding plans. He didn't want to think it would be a yearly issue.
"Idrissa?"
Aman set his forehead to the back of Kailen's head.
"They could renew their vows."
Aman hadn't expected that. "Paperwork is dangerous." For Idrissa. "Their marriage isn't legal in Nigeria."
Kailen nodded. "A lot of hate out there."
"Not here." Aman gave Kailen an affection squeeze.