AN: I'm so sorry I haven't posted for almost a week; a couple of things happened simultaneously. First was the surprise JCAHO inspection, which ate up three full days. Anyone who works in a hospital knows exactly what I'm talking about. Then our fifteen-year-old cat didn't come home on Wednesday night last week, so I've been spending every spare moment looking for him. He has a habit of 'disappearing' from time to time (our 'feral-cat-wannabe') but it's been five days now…I've been so worried I haven't really written much, so please excuse me. I will definitely finish the story, it just may take a little longer…
SPOILERS for "Trinity"
SUMMARY: After the events in "Trinity", Sheppard and McKay's relationship is strained at best. But is stranding them in a remote lighthouse with only Zelenka as referee going to help them work things out? And what about the dead scientist who used to own the place?
DISCLAIMER: The following story is a work of fanfiction, and as such is for fan enjoyment only. All recognizable characters/settings are the property of their respective owners. No copyright infringement is intended, and no profit is made.
Deus Ex Machina
By KerrAvon
10. A Mystery"I have to admit, I'm quite concerned." Constable Cleary's ice-blue eyes clouded as LTC Sheppard had described the events of the preceding day. "You won't mind if I come and check out Bellwick myself?"
"Please do. After all, this is your realm of expertise. Just don't be surprised if my men are a little…jumpy."
Cleary shook his head in commiseration. "I'd say they have good reason to be. Are you sure you don't want Doc Watson to check them out?"
"Nah, I'll have Dr. Beckett examine them when we get back."
"Then, would you like me to notify the Ministry or your people? You could go home and come back once we've determined that the place is safe."
Sheppard considered the suggestion; Radek was pretty rattled, and McKay's carbon monoxide poisoning was not going away any time soon. Still, now that they were aware of the danger, they would take appropriate precautions. Also, given their excitement over Seinlein's work, Sheppard doubted that he could get the scientists to leave short of a direct order from Weir, and even then he might face a mutiny. Finally, there was something about Widget that he simply didn't trust…So the Ministry was out.
"No, that's all right. Let's see what we can come up with on our own. For starters, do you have any idea who the kid might be?"
Cleary snorted and poured himself a cup of tea. "See, that's a part of the puzzle that just doesn't fit. Lorton is a pretty small town by anyone's standards; I make it a point to know all the comings and goings in these parts." He turned and fixed Sheppard with his steely blue stare. "There are no redheaded boys in this town! The youngest redhead we have is Delilah Johnson, and she's twenty-three. The Johnsons have lived around here for over six generations, descended from the sister of a lighthouse keeper that was culled by the Wraith, but they don't have any little boys."
John pursued the possibility. "Maybe there's a visiting cousin? Someone you haven't met?"
Cleary sat behind his desk again and shrugged. "Always a possibility, I s'pose. I'll ask around, see if anyone knows anything."
Sheppard stood to go. "I'd appreciate that, sir."
Cleary stood as well. As they shook hands, he stated, "I'll be up later today with one of my men to take a look around. If someone is trying to sabotage the project, the more eyes the better."
Sheppard hurried out the door, only to stand blinking at the sunlight as his eyes adjusted from the dim room. He was suddenly aware of a feeling of being watched; narrowing his eyes, he focussed on the sensation, then whirled to his right. The curtains in an upper window swung wildly as a distinctly masculine face disappeared. Sheppard remembered someone watching him from that venue on the day they arrived, but it now took on more serious connotations. Still, there was nothing illegal about looking out a window, so Sheppard didn't pursue it. Instead he began hiking back to the lighthouse at a clipped pace, feeling some urgency to return to protect his charges.
On the edge of town he saw the boys playing and waved to them in a friendly fashion. Calling out, he asked, "Could I ask you guys a question?"
The preteens gathered around as their leader answered, "Sure, sir."
"Do you remember the other day when I first came to town?" Sheppard smiled winningly.
"Sure. Of course we do; most grown-ups won't give us the time of day. Besides, you're a stranger."
Sheppard stuck his hands in his pockets to appear as non-threatening as possible. "Well, after I talked to the Constable I walked by you again, and there was this red-head kid standing to the side waiting to play - does anybody know who he is?"
The blonde boy looked confused, then turned to inspect the faces of the other children. "Anybody know what he's talking about?" Multiple negative head shakes and shoulder shrugs.
He turned back to the waiting pilot. "Mister, there weren't no redhead at the game the other day; fact is, we don't even know any redheads!" The other children nodded vigorously in agreement.
Sheppard knew better than to challenge them; if the kids were hiding the boy's identity, wild horses weren't going to make them talk. Plastering a disarming smile on his face, he tilted his head to the side and said consideringly, "Hmph. I must have been mistaken. Sorry to have bothered you."
"No problem!" the boy grinned, then tossed the ball to the chubby brown-haired boy. "Think fast, Larry!" The game resumed in a flurry of arms and legs as the puzzled pilot left them in his wake.
Sheppard tried to work it out while he hiked back to the lighthouse. If Cleary were hiding someone, he could understand it. But why would the children deny the existence of their playmate? What could they possibly have to hide? It just made no sense.
Upon reaching Bellwick he was gratified to note that the door was firmly locked and the code in place. Quickly entering, he called out, "Hey guys, I'm back!" Not getting an answer, he quelled a small flare of alarm as he opened the door that led downstairs to the lab.
This time Zelenka sat with folded arms in front of the terminal where they'd been running the simulations. His eyes were narrowed as he examined the screen before them, then he nodded. Pointing at a particular spot on the diagram displayed, he murmured, "Yes, yes, you are correct. If we increase the capacitance at this point, the device becomes inherently more stable."
"I'm glad you agree," replied Rodney blandly. John was pleased to note the absence of sarcasm in the comment; perhaps McKay was learning how to listen?
"Hi, guys," he said, sidling up.
The two turned as one to face him. "So, how'd it go with the Constable?" asked McKay curiously.
"He's going to be up with one of his men later to look around. He's worried about what's happened as well." Sheppard was matter-of-fact.
"What about the boy?" queried Zelenka. "What does he know about him?"
Sheppard scratched his head and closed his left eye. "Funny thing about that; he claims there aren't any red-headed boys in town."
McKay's eyes flew open as he held up an index finger to object, "Now wait just one minute…"
Sheppard grimaced, hearing the challenge in Rodney's voice. "Yes, McKay. Remember, I saw him first? Twice!" Folding his arms across his chest, he frowned. "Cleary doesn't strike me as the lying type; I'm convinced that he really doesn't know anything about the kid." He left out the part about the other children denying the existence of their playmate. That's just getting too weird.
A strident ringing interrupted further conversation, causing all three men to jump. Realization dawned on Sheppard first. "That must be Constable Cleary. I'll show him around, then he'll probably want to talk to both of you." Leaning in, he added in a stage whisper, "Make nice."
Rodney grimaced, but didn't deign to reply as Sheppard headed upstairs.
Cleary was indeed on the front porch, with a second, younger man standing nervously behind him. The third individual he recognized with surprise as Doctor Widget from the Science Ministry.
"Constable Cleary! That was quick." Sheppard shook the older man's hand firmly, then turned to the scientist. "And Doctor Widget; this is quite a surprise. What brings you here?" The last was not so much a question as a challenge.
Widget assumed his previous bluster as he held up a thick sheaf of paper. "The Deltarran Science Council thought that Doctor McKay might want to examine Seinlein's original written notes; when I landed in Lorton, I checked in with the Constable who apprised me of the situation." He proceeded to shoulder his way into the main room just as Zelenka and McKay emerged from the basement lab.
"Oh, uh, Doctor Picket, I didn't know you were coming," blurted McKay as he saw the other man.
Lips thinning, the Deltarran growled, "That's Widget."
Rodney shrugged, waving one hand in the air, "Whatever. What are you doing here? Our report isn't due for over a week." He crossed his arms as he waited impatiently for an answer.
Widget drew himself up haughtily and thrust the pile of papers at Rodney. "Here. Seinlein's early notes. The Council thought they might be helpful. Of course, since the entire premise is flawed…"
McKay snatched the folder and snapped, "Hardly. The premise is brilliant; it just needed some refinement."
Now it was Widget's turn to cross his arms. "And I suppose you are the one to 'refine' his theorems."
"As a matter of fact, I am." Turning his back on the Deltarran, he said with finality, "Thank you for dropping by, Dr. Wickett. See you in a week," and disappeared into the basement. Radek, who had watched the entire conversation with barely concealed mirth, shrugged apologetically and followed.
In frustration, Widget swung around to face Sheppard and the others. Sheppard stood silently, head tilted and eyebrow raised in challenge, the other two men right behind him. With a gulp the Deltarran remembered his rudely shoving Sheppard aside only moments before. Trying to salvage what he could of the situation, he gathered his dignity like a tattered cloak and huffed wordlessly out the door, headed for the village.
Sheppard watched until the officious man was out of earshot, then started laughing. "Well, that was short, if not sweet," he commented.
Cleary broke into frank guffaws, and soon he was doubled over trying to catch his breath. After a few minutes, he managed to choke out, "In all the time I've had the displeasure of knowing that man, I have never seen his ego handed to him on a plate before. Normally he takes such joy out of looking down his nose at us 'poor country folk'; Doctor McKay really took the wind out of his sails."
Wiping his eyes, Sheppard agreed, "Well, McKay certainly is good at that." Looking past the chuckling Constable, he addressed the confused, brown-eyed man. "And your name is?" he inquired.
Pulling the nervous dark-haired youth forward, Cleary introduced him. "This is Sgt. Sparso, one of my assistants. I believe I mentioned him when you first visited my office. He'll be helping with the investigation."
Offering a shy smile, Sgt. Sparso added, "Pleased to meet you. I hope you'll be able to finish Dr. Seinlein's work; he was very devoted to it."
Sheppard replied, "Well, we're not here to finish it so much as to help see if Dr. Seinlein's theories have any real validity. Then the Deltarran Science Council can take over." Turning back to Cleary, he asked, "Didn't you have another man? A Sgt. Aule, as I recall?"
The Constable nodded. "Yes, but he's unavoidably detained - family emergency, you understand." Looking at the fresh-faced assistant, he continued, "Besides, Sparso and I can handle the situation for the time being, can't we?"
Sparso snapped to attention. "Yes, sir!" he exclaimed enthusiastically.
"There's my boy," Clearly smiled proudly at his eagerness, then became businesslike as he turned to the colonel. "Now, if you wouldn't mind showing me the locations where these incidents occurred…"
"Be glad to." Sheppard wanted this mystery solved. "In the meantime, I'd sure feel better if Sparso could stay here and guard my men."
Cleary nodded. "That was the general idea." So saying, he nodded to the other man who saluted and assumed a position just inside the front door.
TBC….
AN: I'll be posting every couple of days for a while, until we either find our cat or give up hope….