(homeless shelter); Cardiff, Wales

Monday, December 7, 2020

Gwen Cooper parked in the shelter's adjacent car park. From what Ianto said about the place, they accepted mostly women with children under ten. Any shelter accepting homeless women and children, domestic issues would be a problem, but it wasn't overly secure. There was a domestic violence shelter nicknamed the castle because it could withstand a siege. One of the questions she needed to ask was whether the woman should be transferred.

Dmitri said nothing on the drive. Eira Fithan, the head of the charity, called Ianto and asked a lot of questions about Dmitri. The woman asked shelter workers to call Dmitri because she needed a doctor and was afraid to go to the A&E. For some reason, Fithan was concerned that Dmitri was involved in the woman's injuries.

"Before we go in." Gwen popped the keys out of the ignition. "How do you know Telyn Lewison?"

"Whitchurch library." Dmitri sighed. "We talk about books. From what she said, there was no man in her life. She had all the signs of domestic violence whether it's 1948 or 2020. If I thought…" He shook his head.

Gwen set her hand on his. "When did you talk last?"

"Two or three weeks ago. She asked new questions. We talked a bit about jobs. Then Dr. Floyd called and I had to go."

"Have you ever been in a shelter?"

"Not recently. And not like the kind there are today." He hesitated. "Views on domestic violence and crimes against women were very different. Post WWII women were working. Torchwood was sane about basic equality. But it was a different world."

Gwen nodded. "Keep your voice down. Don't make eye contact or sudden moves."

"I know." Dmitri reached for the door handle and stopped. "Telyn is afraid of the police."

Hopefully, that was a cultural quirk. Domestic situations involving constables were ugly. The spouse was often afraid of calling 999, fearing the responders would side with the abuser. There were good constables that would file the report and demand protection. Even with policies in place, the best hope was an internal investigation. After the Shone situation, she had little faith in the Cardiff PD watchdogs.

Dmitri hesitated outside the door. "I wasn't trying to date Telyn. I'm not like Jack."

Gwen couldn't help but wonder how many times Dmitri had to tell people that. She knew they'd been friends in the 1940s before Dmitri disappeared with the Arctic Wind. It also made her wonder what she didn't know about Jack. Dmitri's reaction to his old friend and the fact that he now preferred John's company said a lot.

The side door opened. "Ms. Cooper, Dr. Petrescu, please come in. I'm Eira Fithan. I know you're busy. I appreciate you taking the time."

"It's not a problem." Having to accompany Dmitri was annoying, but she understood. "How serious are Ms. Lewison's injuries?"

Fithan motioned down the hall and they followed. "I'm not sure. I would prefer she go to an A&E. She's adamant that's a bad idea."

"Did she say why?"

The older woman nodded. "Telyn said he has connections. After many years of managing a charity, I've heard just about everything. Some true. Some not. It's my guess she believes what she's saying."

"Did she give a name?"

"No. I had hoped she'd tell Dr. Petrscu." Fithan paused. "I'm sorry I asked your co-worker embarrassing questions."

"That's not a problem, ma'am," Dmitri assured. "You were making sure Telyn is safe."

"I'm not sure she is. If she has a valid fear of the police and going to the hospital, it's not safe here. She needs to be relocated to a shelter that can write a fake name in the sign in book."

They had already done something similar with Laren McDougall and Maddox. She wasn't sure but thought the Sisters relocated people without abilities. The only alternative they currently had was Nigeria. While no one outside the facility would likely ask questions, it wasn't a good option. Some of the Atmore people were having problems and wanted new locations.

"We will make arrangements, if necessary," Gwen said. "It will take some time."

Torchwood Three

Ianto Jones reviewed the information on the man Telyn Lewison named. It wasn't a good situation. Reluctantly, he headed for the conference room. Jack had been working with Gwen until the call from the charity came in. He was still sitting at the head of the table when Ianto entered.

Jack looked up from a laptop. "Miss me already?"

"I was feeding the Weevils. Their manners reminded me you hadn't had lunch yet."

Jack laughed.

Ianto wished the humor would last. "Powell Beddoe. He's a millionaire with business interests in Cardiff and family connections in London." He crossed the room to stand near Jack.

The sparkle faded in Jack's eyes. "What did he do?"

"According to Dmitri's friend Telyn, he beats women. She thought she was free of him. Then she encountered him last night. He made demands. She said no. A couple of big blue collar workers interrupted. She insisted they didn't call 999. Instead, they got her a cab and sent her to the shelter."

"How bad is she injured?"

"Bruises and a sprained wrist. Gwen left Nessa a message about calling the Sisters. Nessa's in class."

"Is it our case?"

"Yeah." Ianto nodded. "Beddoe owns the facility John was fed information about. He's indirectly connected to the Gordon-Glen exec married to Maxwell Evanson's mother."

Jack sat back. "The staged sting might not have been as stupid as it looked."

"Yeah." Ianto figured it got worse. "And Sawyer was interested in separating Laren from Maddox. He's a known misogynist. But he could be connected to Gordon-Glen."

"Where did John get the bad tip?"

"I don't know. The tip on the kid in Liverpool social services was accurate."

"We need to check into it." Jack considered. "Where's John?"

Under other circumstances, Ianto would have laughed. "Babysitting Dawn. Ken's at work. Rhys had to go into his office this morning, but will be taking over this afternoon."

Jack's expression was priceless. "How did that happen?"

"Dmitri asked."

"Coordinate with Kailen. I want everything you can find on Powell Beddoe and his family."