Irene sat, sipping her cup and watched between the puppy and the man. Totally impressed with how well behave the puppy was, Irene looked at the man she had nicknamed the Professor. Honestly she could not get a read on this man. Who was he, what did he do? Did he work for someone? Was he freelance? Left of field, clearly he had no issues with what he did, did he work for Moriarty?
“Her?” Irene looked at the puppy. “What’s her name?”
“then again you seemed like an interesting lady and I don’t believe anyone should be alone.”
Something about that statement made the hairs on the back of Irene’s neck stand up. This man was such a wild card that she wasn’t sure what to take with a grain of salt and what to fear, if anything. She kept telling herself that Ianto was the target, but that cold itch of fear, deep within her belly made her question that. Until she knew more about this guy, she couldn’t rule anything out.
But how to get him to talk?
He clearly was not an idiot, capable of leading a conversation in a direction that suited him and comfortable with redirecting questions, preventing any true information to pass his lips. Whoever he was, he as very good. Irene had to admire someone that could do that all the time. At that present moment, she was just Irene. No lipstick or crazy shoes, no whips or information to wear as her armor. She wasn’t The Woman, simply, Irene. Off the clock and out of character. She idly wondered if this man ever had off time like she was now. Blinking as she looked down into her tea, she realized how vulnerable she was and she cursed herself for having put herself in this position.
“Thank you, one of my favorites.” She sipped on the tea once more.
“So, what can I do for you Professor, if… you don’t mind me referring to you as such, how can I help you? I think that a get up such as a delivery person with puppy hardly serves as strictly just a social call.” She had had some strange people at her door… but this was one of the more surreal situations. Sitting back, she did smile. It was amazing how at ease she was in his presence. It actually bothered her. Still, there was no call to be rude and he didn’t break into her place like she did to him. Politeness was the least she could offer the man.
Sticking her hand out towards the puppy, palm up, she offered to let the puppy sniff her until she was comfortable before she attempted to pet the adorable thing.
“May I ask a question? Of course you are entitled to your secrets but something…about…that night… What was it that transpired with Ianto that made him so afraid of you?”