Alec doesn't necessarily believe that Olly Stevens has robbed a bank. Honestly even with Beth talking about it in the midst of what seems to be a mental breakdown having close to no credibility, he just doesn't seem the type. Oh he's a sneaky little bastard when it comes to getting stories out, but it takes a certain level of courage to go through with something like that, that Alec just does not see in him.
Still
"You know Beth, I have noticed how much time our Olly here spends glued to his phone or a computer." It's much more fun to let the little shite think he believes everything Beth is saying.
"Oh you could say he's practically part computer himself." Beth winks up at him. "Augmented human as it were."
"Hardy please." Olly is practically cowering. "You know I wouldn't rob a bank, or hack into things or anything."
"Do I Olly? Do I know that?" He's done a bang up job of keeping his face hard, hiding any amusement he finds in this situation. "If this town has taught me anything, it's that people are capable of anything. And you, you seem pretty capable."
"It was a hard sell y'know, but all it took was the right reward and he was all in. I mean you'd have to be in order to agree to rob Karabraxus." Beth is still excitedly praising the young man's alleged criminal skills.
"And we all know how determined our Olly here gets when he wants something. Don't we Olly?" His interrogation is interrupted by the chirping of a phone.
"Oh come on. I know it's in here somewhere." Beth has her arm impossibly up to her elbow deep in the pocket of her coat. "Come on. Come on. Aha!" She whips her phone out to check the screen. "Rose says to meet her at the church. Well come on then!"
Olly attempts to scoot away while Beth is distracted, only to be stopped by Alec grabbing onto him. "Oh no you don't. You're coming with us."
- Meanwhile at the Cottage -
Ellie watches as Alec completes his walk through the living room, his led flashlight whirring the entire time. Finally after a complete circuit he scrunches his face as he stares at the device. "Well isn't that just wizard."
"What do we do?" Claire whispers to her, watching the detective. "He's completely mad."
"If it's drugs we just have to wait for them to wear off." Beth supplies.
Lee's sitting in a chair looking at his hand in disbelief. His interactions with Alec have always been tense, but he's never been licked. And there certainly hasn't been a concern about his wellbeing, especially something as personal as his cholesterol levels.
Ellie's attention is again drawn to her partner as he paces the length of the room, hands clenched in his own hair muttering the word 'think' over and over again. A loud chirping noise breaks his mantra. "Hold on a tick." Everyone in the room watches in amazement as he digs into his trouser pockets, hands going much farther than seems physically possible. There is no logical explanation for how he could possibly fit the assortment of items he pulls out of his pockets into them. Which include, a ball of twine, three bananas, a jar of marmalade, a mouse trap, another jar of marmalade, and finally his phone. "Rose texted. Looks like we need to head to the church."
The items are all stuffed back into his pockets, except for the jar of marmalade, which he opens and sticks a finger into, and then proceeds to stick in his mouth.
Ellie clears her throat to get his attention. "Sir?"
"Right. Sorry." After screwing the lid back on he nods in Claire's direction. "Tell the captain the Doctors say hello." Then he's heading out to the car. "Allons-y!"
- Meanwhile at the Church -
Rose sits in the passenger seat of Paul's car as he drives her to his church. It's as good a place as any to start up the search. Secluded. Both for her and any aliens that might be milling about. The shapeshifter in the video was keeping to the shadows, and Rose would imagine it would want to stay out of the way. The problem for shapeshifters of course being if they encountered anyone who knew the person who's form they had taken.
Which of course brought Rose's thoughts to her Doctors, and the human dopplegangers. She hoped they hadn't caused the poor, frazzled people of this town too much trouble. With everything Paul had been telling her they had all been through quite enough all ready.
"We're here." Paul parks towards the back of the church. "There's something you should know Rose."
Rose pauses. "Well go on."
Paul takes a deep breath, hands clenched on the wheel. "The killer. Joe. I went to see him while he was in prison. Counseled him about taking accountability. And the thing is." She sees him wince. "He's here at the church. Asked me to help him come back-"
Rose places a hand on his arm. "S'okay." She can tell he's trying to explain himself. Justify to her why Joe is here. "M' just here for the alien."
"Right." He gives her a tight smile before following her out of the car.
They part ways almost as soon as they enter the church. Paul to find Joe, and Rose to look around. It's nice as far as churches go. Her mum was never very religious, and after meeting the Doctor, well, Rose had a hard time believing that any one religion could be greater than the others.
"Excuse me miss." Rose turned to see a young man approaching her. "Are you from around here?" He looked nice enough but something put her on edge. "I was hoping I could ask you a few questions about the trial."
"Sorry mate. I'm just passing through. Don't know about the trial." Rose puts on her most disarming smile as he approaches. She holds her ground when he steps into her personal space.
"Sure I can't ask just a couple questions."
Rose's hand slides behind her back, reaching into one of the bigger on the inside pockets the Doctors helped create for her. "You're not going to take no for an answer are you?"
"Just one question." She sees his face begin to transform, mouth opening and teeth sharpening. In a split second she has a taser pushed to his ribs and he's down.
"Gotcha." A pair of torchwood issue cuffs are whipped out and she restrains his hands behind his back. "Now I just need to find Paul."
Finding the reverend wasn't too difficult when she heard the commotion coming from the back.
"Ellie stop." Paul is trying to reason with the other shapeshifter, who is advancing on him.
"That's not Ellie." The creature turns, eyes red, mouth open wide to expose sharpened teeth. "Nice smile." As soon as she takes a step towards Rose the taser is once again brought into action. It takes a bit longer to take effect, but this one goes down just like the last.
"Oh god."
"Deep breaths Paul." Rose produces another pair of cuffs and quickly takes care of the alien at her feet.
"Are there more?" He's holding it together as best he can.
"I took care of the other one." Rose pops back up. "Male and female. Probably hunt in pairs. Should just be the two." She reaches out to gently rub Paul's arm. "You alright?"
"Oh god that's an alien."
"Yeah." Rose gives him a reassuring smile. "S'okay. They can't hurt you."
"I just need a minute." He moves to the other side of the room before stopping dead in his tracks. "Oh my god they ate Joe!
