(International Corporate Headquarters); Chicago, Illinois
The lavish executive conference room occupied the corner of a skyscraper with an impressive view. Rex Matheson sat at the table waiting for his host to return. While he hadn't introduced himself, Rex suspected another Sarkisian. He had no idea if Quebec had a large Armenian community. But the arrogance, ego and intensity fit. His age suggested one of the cousins' parents. Art was dead. That left Jerard and Monty's fathers. If the man was directly related. Samvel taught at the Universite du Quebec a Montreal.
The door opened and the man returned.
"Tigran?"
His expression reminded Rex of an adult watching a small child complete a simple task. "Not completely hopeless."
What is it with Torchwood and massive egos? Rex wondered. "What do you want?"
"An understanding." Tigran walked toward the windows with his hands clasped behind his back. "When the Institute was destroyed, Torchwood decentralized. Jack assumed the most prominent role. After Miracle Day, he became the knight-in-shining armor that saved the world."
While you hid in your ivory tower.
"We have protected North America for generations. Your Torchwood is neither wanted nor needed here."
Rex barely kept from groaning. "My Torchwood is trying to resolve a global crisis."
"By arresting the people in London capable of ending it." Tigran sounded like he was losing his patience with a child.
"Then work with us not against us."
Tigran's cell phone rang, interrupting his reply. He quickly found it, checked the screen and answered it in a language Rex suspected was Armenian. From what he knew of the Sarkisians, it suggested a family conversation. It wasn't friendly.
A knock interrupted the call. "What?" Tigran demanded angrily.
The door opened and a young woman unimpressed by his temper entered. She sounded exasperated. "The Acting Director of Torchwood is threatening to shut down O'Hare and hand the rescue effort over to Luc. Somewhere between Portland and the failed military attack against Nova Scotia."
"Prepare an encrypted line."
She held up a phone.
"Give it to him." Tigran turned back toward the window and the angry conversation resumed.
She crossed the room to Rex. "Which Torchwood office?"
"Cardiff."
She quickly entered a code. When the phone rang she handed it to him.
Rex wondered if that was some type of statement.
"Torchwood Cardiff." Ianto sounded like he was struggling.
"Hey." The conversation went as expected. Rex had no details on his location and Ianto wasn't willing to stand down without specifics. "The cargo from Heathrow…"
A white light surrounded Rex and he disappeared.
Torchwood London; London England
When the white light faded, Rex found himself standing in his office. It took a moment to process. Normally, he used portal devices to travel. But he had seen the transporter technology used by the space station and spaceships. Keara must have traced one of the phone calls.
The computer clicked. "Incoming call from Nova Scotia."
Rex needed time to process and knew he wasn't getting it. "Accept."
"Welcome back." Eryn sounded exhausted. "Jerard figured out the meteorites and what caused the plane crashes. Luc is working on ways to identify the technology and protect planes. And Ettie is writing up the scientific details for Ms. Sato." She sounded apologetic. "She may have difficulty understanding it. Luc has to research aspects of it."
"What do you know about Tigran Sarkisian?"
"He has Jerard's ego and wants everyone to believe he's as smart as his son. He specializes in the commercial uses for genetic modification." She added hesitantly.
"You need to be careful with him. He has an explosive temper."
Compared to what? Rex wondered. Her fiancee's anger issues were extreme. "Was Tigran associated with Beaupre?"
"I don't know. It wouldn't surprise me." Eryn sounded unsure of how to explain something. "The Sarkisian quirks are more obvious in Luc's aunt and uncles. They are brilliant and accomplished." Pause. "But reclusive. Samvel is able to teach but only under very controlled circumstances."
"What about Mariam?" Rex hadn't uncovered much about Ettie's mother.
"She's a lot like Ettie. She specializes in troubleshooting complex engineering problems."
"Tigran has a group operating in Chicago." Rex explained what he knew. "We need more information."
"Jerard might know. Him and his father…" Eryn hesitated. "I would rather deal with Aman's father than Tigran."
A knock interrupted. Langford entered looking relieved. "Brisbane has a problem, sir. It might not be a Torchwood case, but people are scared."
Understandably. "Eryn, I need to go."
"I will call back when we have more." The call ended.
Rex turned toward his desk. "What's the situation?" He needed a break.
"Several people from a cruise to the Coral Sea are exhibiting uncharacteristic sexual behavior. That's reportedly contagious." Langford handed Rex a tablet computer across the desk as he sat.
He shook his head slightly reading the details. "Where's Jack?"
"Investigating a company in the US."
That meant he had to leave again. They were short-handed. "Is Gwen still here?"
"She's refereeing a diplomatic argument involving the two people she arrested at Heathrow."
Rex suddenly remembered what Tigran said about them. "Their cargo might hold a solution for the parasite situation in the US."
Langford nodded. "Dr. Harper came to the same conclusion. They refuse to cooperate. New Zealand and Great Britain want to charge them with transporting a potential bioweapon in containers designed to bypass security measures. They have an attorney arguing illegal search and seizure and that none of it's dangerous."
"Do we have background information yet?"
"Limited. Their visas were issued quickly for business associated with Montgomery Museum. Gwen coordinated with law enforcement in Auckland for more information. If she heard back, she didn't tell me."
No matter how urgent, Rex knew he needed a few minutes at least. He suspected more. "Have her come here. I need updates before I leave."
Langord hesitated. "Williams can handle Australia."
"Thank you." Rex wondered if it was more than stress. He waited until Langford left. "Computer, in-depth medical scan of Rex Matheson."
Moment's later, an emergency medical alarm sounded. Tigran's people disabled his personal medical scanner. Not surprising since they disrupted his other technology.
The alarm ceased and the intercom clicked. Owen sounded somewhere between angry and exhausted. "You're compromised. You have a parasite."
The door clicked as quarantine initiated.
"Computer, remove command authority from Rex Matheson."
It scanned him again for confirmation. "Removed."
Minutes later, the white light surrounded him again.