3

Ianto wanted to go with them to the station and listened but also didn't want to be a part of it so he stayed at the counter of the restaurant, clinging to it as he forced himself to look as confused as everyone else. Finally Aidan appeared and slumped in his chair with a look of doom.

"So… I take it the red stuff was his friends?" Ianto asked.

"Mad. Totally insane. He says they pitched their camp and a bloody Big Foot came in and attacked them" Aidan snorted "Likely story, eh? I think he killed them his own self."

"Well… maybe I read too many crime and investigation novels ya know? But… how did it kill them?" Ianto turned in his seat to ask.

"He says it slammed in to camp, they scattered and it chased them killing them one by one, only he got away." Aidan said with a huff "I think it's bullshit but the others believe him. Calling the bloody head office for assistance."

Ianto grimaced as he knew that would get flagged by Torchwood within minutes of the 'Big Foot' mentioned.

"OK… let's think this through. If they ran in different directions and it chased them down, killed them… think about tit. They would all die in different places right? How would their blood get on him?" Ianto asked calmly, letting the man think before adding "so… he would have run too so… how did he get their blood all over him? Doubled back around the thing each time? I mean… I would have thought to be that covered you would be standing by the person being bludgeoned to death … sorry. Torn apart or whatever so… did he run with the Bgo Foot to each kill site and… what.. hold the torch for him?"

Someone started to laugh softly as Ianto sighed and Aiden pointed a finger at him "Henderson… you are fucking smart!"

"Like I said…" Ianto rose and flicked some money on the counter "I read a lot. Agatha Christie would have told you the same, champ."

"I will get those clothes tested, if there is more than one person's DNA on there we will know he is bullshitting" Aidan as he rose and flicked money, intending to leave a swell and Ianto couldn't help himself.

"Ask the local doctor to check it for blood type, you only need to prove more than one blood type for your theory and the results will be back quick" Ianto pointed out. "Open and shut domestic killing. Tickety-boo!"

Ianto walked out to his snow mobile and took a deep breath, looking aroid as he seemed to be memorising the place and after a few moment's thought he headed back to the store for extras. He would not come back down until he was sure Torchwood were not here… god he could not come down for months now maybe. He could only hope, he did not want to run again… not this late in the game.

He got as much as he could carry on the mobile, then assed more to a large camping pack as the men behind the counter watched with interest "Going camping son?"

"Well… this storm coming in, I might not get back in before the thaw. If my snow mobile breaks down I am stranded up there for a few months or four, best be prepared" Ianto said with a shrug "Anyway… I can always use the satellite phone to call for Roger to do an aerial drop."

"Sounds like you are there 'til spring" the old man cackled as he pointed to Ianto's middle "good thing you have a few extra pounds on you to see you through."

Ianto picked up two more packets of coffee as he agreed "And plenty of deer about, and rabbits for the pot. I will be fine. Just need this cup a day of goodness or I might lose my mind!"

He knew he had to hustle to get home before dark, letting the snow mobile run hot but it didn't matter.

Torchwood would come, see there was nothing happening here and leave. He would be fine, he would be safe.

.

.

Ianto settled at the desk and turned on screen after screen until the entire wall of monitors was live, the village and several tracks were there in living colour for him to see. He chose one and fiddled with the frequency until he had audio, listening to Aidan arguing with another man about getting sausages for the prisoner for dinner.

He sat back and took a deep breath, his clothing loose and hot as he stripped off layer after layer and let the fire warm his weary bones. He glanced over at the stuff to be packed away and decided he would do that tomorrow, he was beat.

Bone weary from hurrying and overdoing it but he knew he had to be ready, settle in and hide for the next few months … well… three or four.

His hand went absently to his stomach as he rubbed the small bump and sent loving thoughts, glancing back at the groceries and reminding himself no coffee until the morning. One cup a day... all he was allowed.

Ianto's head lolled back as he stared up at the ceiling of the log cabin and he cursed softly.

He knew damned well Torchwood would come.