16

"Shit" Jack sighed as they stood looking at the remains of Jennifer's house.

"She didn't' have much, started from scratch. This sucks" Ianto agreed then he turned to Jack "Right. So… they tried Estelle to get to you, clearly the neighbours might be a good place to hunker down and watch for their return right?"

"What I was thinking. Estelle first, then the other side. Then we work our way house by house under the guise of seeking the kittens that ran away in the storm?" Jack asked.

"Sounds like a plan" Ianto nodded "But… you go first. He's seen me, got a good look. Not you."

Jack nodded, walking to the door and knocking, the old woman that opened it looked a little shaken but relieved as she reached out to hug him "Jack. Oh sweetie. This is so horrible. They say someone was in the house… they can't find her or the little man. I just… do you think…"

"Estelle. They are OK, they were with me" Jack said immediately to calm her "Those men who were looking for me… did one come back after the fire started?"

"No. I sae the chaos, and then they arrested them" she said with excitement "Oh, hello Ianto dear."

"Hello Ma'am" Ianto said as he stepped in behind Jack to let her see him "Those little kittens were so spooked by all the noise and such, they've run away. The little boy is so upset with the house fire and all, we are trying to find his kitten, as well of Jack's of course."

"Oh no. Poor little fluffers. Oh no, I will get my coat and…"

"No, no. Best you stay here. You have a clear shot at the work going on, maybe the kitten is hiding under rubbish bins nearby or something and you might see him run out. Or they might both be under a house nearby but… no point you getting wet darling." Jack said as he took her hands affectionately "I would rather you stay here."

She seemed to slow, then stall as she started the them both finally seeing the dark clothing and the guns on their hips. Then she drew herself up "They are OK? You got them somewhere safe?"

"Yes. All are" Ianto said, emphasis on all and she nodded.

"I will stay here and watch out. What am I looking for dear?"

"Tall, thin and dark hair. Probably some mud on him unless he found somewhere to wash up…." Ianto stopped talking, turning to stare at Jack's house as Jack asked Estelle to stay inside and lock her doors.

"Clever isn't she" Jack asked as he watched her storm to her hallways dresser and pull a little revolver out of it before the front door swung shut.

"Jack… is he in your house?"

Jack slowly turned to fave his house as Ianto's words swirled "If so… can he see us?"

"Mehaps" Ianto muttered now looking around as he considered things. "If so… he will be expecting you back, not me. He knows you have them, will be looking for anything at yours to suggest where they are. No doubt if he hasn't found evidence of me he soon will, then my house is his next point of call."

"Anything there to lead back to the girls?"

"Nope." Ianto popped the p and pondered "He may already be at home."

"One way or another… he will be" Jack decided "We go there. We sweep, clear if needed, if he is not there yet, we hunker down and prepare to defend."

"Yes. He may think we still have them… we can …. Of course. Bait." Ianto stepped away from the door and called out loudly as if he and Estelle were still talking "They are fine. At mine with the boys. I am going home to check on them now!"

Ianto started to walk calmly down the road with his hand in his pockets as Jack gaped at him then he took off across the street and through the side yard to the house to get to the back of them, flanking Ianto with the street between them so anyone following Ianto would not know Jack was there as well and as Ianto slowly meandered along talking to people and telling them the same story loudly, that Jennifer was at his house, Jack ran like the hounds of hell were at his heels.

Ianto was right.

The best way to get the prey is to single it out, isolate it and box it in.

Jack knew without even looking the fucker was following Ianto, the way Ianto was glancing to his left now and then like he was checking something told him so. God, this man is clever. So damned clever. Jack had known he was a handful of special but damn… he was gonna grab him with both hands now he knew he was more than just special.

Jack had found a kindred spirit.