DON'T LOOK NOW: PART 9

Martha failed to hide her surprise when Jack stepped into her office with a worried look on his face. She put down her phone and smiled at him, but he did not return the gesture. He just shoved his hands into his pockets and looked at her intently.

"I'm taking over Martha. As you quite rightly stated earlier this IS a Torchwood problem an internal one at that. However I would still appreciate being able to work alongside UNIT in this matter as I believe this is going to affect both agencies. I've summond Tosh, she's going to take apart the computers over at the... facility. However, I need access to the prisoners. Owen is unwilling to proceed with any medical treatments until he has a clearer idea about what we are up against."

Martha nodded taking this all in without any show of dismay or surprise, Jack seemed to be more like the Jack she knew, quiet anger simmering beneath his polite facade.

"I figured as much. It's all in hand, we're more than happy to take your lead on this. I've collated data on all the prisoners we have been able to identify. There's three doctors, a pathologist and 2 genticists. The project co-ordinator appears to be one Professor Susan Hope, formerly of Torchwood One. This research programme seems to have been going for sometime Jack...."

"We're estimating at least 30 years... The test subjects are products of some kind of breeding programme, well we think anyway. We've only been able to run tests on Ianto so far... Owen's going to try to comfirm."

Martha registered the look of discomfort on Jack's face. "Ianto?"

Jack nodded. "His DNA has been tampered with, we think from birth.... Shit." He lost his composure for a moment and ran a hand through his hair. "Right then take me to see Susan Hope."

"Now?"

"Yes. I want answers. Owen is concerned that we may lose those that are still alive.... Ianto doesn't have a of lot time Martha."

"Ok. You'd better come this way."

Jack followed her out of the office and down a long grey corridor. He walked at her side.

"How is Owen doing now?"

"He's ok, adjusting. We've had a lot of time together to talk about things, as cruel as it sounds I think it's done him some good, he seems more content to me."

Martha smiled up at him. "That's good to know."

"How's Tom?"

"He's brilliant. He's in Africa for next month. It's going really well for us."

"Good, I'm pleased for you guys and looking forward to meeting him..... Martha." Jack grasped her hand and pulled her to a stop. "I need free reign with the prisoner, you understand?"

She did not like the look in his eyes.

"Whatever happens in that cell you are not to interfere, no one from UNIT is to interfere. If I am right in thinking these experiments are unsanctioned then none of the people you arrested today should see the light of day again anyway."

"What are you going to do Jack?"

"Get answers, by whatever means I deem fit."

Martha chewed at her lower lip. "Perhaps it's best I don't ask further."

Jack nodded.

Susan Hope sat calmly on the metal chair that was bolted to the floor, she gazed about the featureless concrete cell and finally focused on the single overhead light that was hidden behind a wire cage. She was quietly confident that she would be out of here anytime soon, she had friends, powerful friends who supported and funded her work. She was head of Torchwood 4, a rogue division dedicated to.....

The door swung open letting in a flood of light and a tall figure who seemed to take up the entire cell as he stepped into the space, a bucket clutched in his left hand. A bucket of water, she noted somewhat curiously. The moment he stepped under the light of the room the door slammed shut and was locked behind him. Susan looked up immediately recognising Captain Harkness of Torchwood 3, how could one forget, she thought rather fondly. Susan rose to her feet, the handcuffs and shackles rattling as did so.

"Captain Harkness, it's good to see you again."

The bucket was placed on the floor.

"Susan." There was obvious distaste in his tone. "I wish I could say the feeling was mutual. I might have known you were part of this."

"So."

"So..... I want some answers, you are going to give them to me."

Susan resumed her seat and offered up an all too comfortable smile. "I have nothing to say to you, you have no authority over me. You have no idea how much trouble you are in for interfering with my operation."

Jack stared down at her. "You're right, I have no authority over you what so ever, the same as I didn't with Yvonne Hartman, but do not make the mistake of thinking that you are getting out of here. There is no one who can help you and if you actually want to live I suggest you start answering my questions."

Susan snorted. "What's up, your little sex toy on a tight time line is he?"

Jack did not rise to the bait. "There are twelve people still alive in that facility of yours. I'm not even going to guess at how many deaths you are responsible for."

"Deaths? You dignify them with that word? Those things are lab animals. Creatures that I myself engineered for this project, don't think for one moment that they qualify as being human."

Jack was wholly aware that she was trying to goad him into over reacting. He folded his arms across his chest. "So, what are they then?"

Susan let out a chuckle. "Oh, no you don't Harkness. Just because 30 years ago you could charm your way into my knickers. I'm not falling for your polite interest, I've said all I'm going to." She had no choice but to bide her time.

Jack nodded accepting that the proverbial gauntlet had been thrown down. He took a moment to glance around the concrete box they were in and glanced in the direction of the security camera and gave a slight nod. The cue to remind those on the outside to stay outside. He returned his attention to the woman shackled in front of him.

"To think I actually liked you once, you were smart, witty, beautiful.... what happened Susan? What made you change?" Jack walked behind her his feet barely making a sound.

Susan didn't move, confident that someone would come for her. "Someone discovered my talents Jack, realised my gifts. You don't say no to someone who funds your research and gives you a free hand to do what you will.... You really have no idea how big this is."

Jack's hand came down firmly on her left shoulder. "Don't bank on it. Hired assassins, secret facilities, bodies around every corner..... I know where these things lead.... money and politics.... I imagine some underhanded government re-jigging of finances somewhere, a bribe or two.... maybe the odd car bomb. I've been around a lot longer than you have Susan... I know how to play those kind of games. Trust me when I tell you, no one is coming for you. Now, if you talk, you live, if you don't I can take a very long time to kill you, a very long time. And understand one thing.... if Ianto Jones or anyone else dies you will too. So I suggest you help me out here before I get annoyed." His grip tightened and Susan started to feel her confidence waver, just a little. A small tightening in her gut.

"So we'll start with all the data you have on the work you have been doing, how do we proceed with treating those patients in Merton?"

Susan closed her eyes. "I have nothing to say."

Pain suddenly shot through her head as she was grabbed by her hair and dragged to the floor. Susan opened her eyes, her face forcefully hovering above the water in the metal bucket, she could see her distorted reflection staring back at her.

"Wrong answer."

Martha Jones turned away from the monitor unable to watch as the woman's head was held down in the bucket of water.