Companion piece to Deskspook's 'Liar Liar'
Chapter 1
Harry and Ruth were gritting their teeth, politely sitting through another boring self-important story by Gillian. A couple of weeks had passed since Amy's wedding and it appeared that Gillian had dismissed her previous encounter with the pair. Gillian was finally approaching the climax of her story when Harry's mobile began to ring rather loudly. Harry politely apologised, pulling his phone out. Adam's name flashed on screen; he sighed, showing the caller ID to Ruth.
"You don't have to take it, you know. It is the weekend!" Gillian's sharp voice called out frustrated that her story had been interrupted by someone who Harry obviously didn't want to talk to. Only Ruth knew his sigh was one of relief not frustration. Harry got up and moved away from the group as Ruth's pager beeped. Ruth and Harry shared a glance and left the house together.
"How rude!" was Gillian's indignant cry as the back door slammed shut.
"Adam, what's going on?"
"Bomb threat; we need you back here ASAP."
"We'll start driving straight away."
"Driving will be too slow. Special Branch (S.B.) is sending a chopper."
"Oh great...that'll be subtle." Ruth giggled in the background to Harry's sarcasm.
"It's already on its way. Be in the sports field across the road in 15 minutes. I'll talk to you once you're in the air."
"Thanks Adam." Harry disconnected the call and looked to Ruth, raised his eyebrow and smiled at her.
"What are we going to tell the family Harry? It's not like a chopper lands in the sports field every day."
"Leave it to me. Elizabeth and Amy will understand. Gillian will just think we're showing off; or, will want to drool over us."
"True. I'll talk to Mum (Elizabeth); you talk to the others." Harry and Ruth moved back into the house. Ruth left Harry in search of her mother as she wasn't with the main group in the lounge room (thankfully). She found her in the kitchen cleaning up.
"Mum, we've got to go. Something's happening at work and we need to be there."
"Oh, that's sad. I was hoping for some more time with you both. When are you leaving?"
"There's a chopper landing across the road in about 10 minutes for us."
"O my! You really do work for MI5 then?" Ruth smiled at her mother and replied
"I think you know the answer to that. Harry is telling the others now." Elizabeth pulled her daughter close and whispered in her ear
"Is it really bad?" she asked.
"Could be," Ruth replied "that's why we need to join the rest of the team."
"Let me know that you're safe, yes?"
"Yes mum, of course...I'm really glad you know now. I hated lying to you."
"I understand love." Their intimate moment was broken by a shriek from the lounge room;
"A chopper!" Elizabeth and Ruth smiled to one another as Ruth left to join Harry.
"Yes, well the work we do is very important and we need to get back immediately." Harry really couldn't stand much more of this hideous family. He moved towards the door, just as the whirling of the chopper's descent could be heard.
"Come on Ruth, we need to go." They left the house and crossed the road towards the chopper. All the family jumped to their feet and followed them out, congregating on the front lawn to watch the chopper land. As Harry and Ruth were waved over by the landing crew, Ruth's mobile rang. Seeing the caller ID as Malcolm, she took the call.
"Ruth, have you gotten on the chopper yet?"
"No, it's just landed. Why?" She could hear the urgency and slight fear in his voice.
"Special Branch did not order you a chopper. DO NOT GET ON IT! Do you understand?"
"Yes. HARRY!" Ruth hung up and ran to Harry as he waited for her to catch up. She pulled him close to shout into his ear so he'd hear.
"THIS IS NOT SPECIAL BRANCH. DO NOT GET IN." Harry didn't need telling twice; he looked to the chopper and indicated he would not be joining them. The chopper crew looked angry but couldn't do anything about it, given the large audience the presence of the chopper had accrued. The chopper took off. Harry and Ruth stared at each other, knowing their fate had they have gotten on.
The large crowd on the street started murmuring about the events displayed before them. Gillian's voice could clearly be heard above the rabble trying to dominate conversation. Harry and Ruth's mobiles rang together. Harry was the first to answer.
"Harry Pearce. Yes, we're fine; still in Cheltenham. Who sent it?"
"It was Special Branch, but the idiot had been bought out. Malcolm tracked the money trail, but still don't know the main players yet."
"Right; we'll get ourselves a secure room and call you back." Harry looked to Ruth who was still talking to Malcolm.
"Yes Malcolm, Mum's got a computer I can use. Is the back door still open?"
"Yes, I'll just set it up so it's a bit easier for you."
"Okay, thanks Malcolm. Speak soon." Ruth ended the call as Harry looked to her.
"Back door?" Harry inquired.
"You don't want to know."
"Okay..." He gave a huge sigh and looking towards the crowd on the front lawn murmured
"Back into the breach." Harry and Ruth began walking back towards Elizabeth's house. Most of the crowd had dissipated as they'd walked back, having gotten bored since the chopper left. Only Elizabeth, Amy and her hubby (David) were left outside.
"Why didn't you go with the chopper?" Amy asked. Harry grimaced before replying,
"It wasn't for us". Amy and Elizabeth stared at Harry and Ruth wondering what the implications were; but at the same time not wanting to know at all. Ruth decided to take charge; after all, it was her family.
"Mum, I need to use your computer and internet. We need a room in the house where we will not be disturbed; and we need your absolute discretion." Elizabeth was delighted that her Ruth was taking such a command. She beamed at her and replied
"You shall take my room. There's the ensuite, so you won't have to leave the room, and you can use my laptop on the little sitting table in there. Amy and David, you make sure no one disturbs them. Come with me." Elizabeth led the way while Harry and Ruth followed. Amy and David entered the lounge room and were greeted by a rather loud volley of questions about the turn of events. David hushed them all so Amy could answer.
"Harry and Ruth have decided to work from here. Don't ask me anymore questions, and don't go looking for them. They have an important job to do, so let them get on with it. Anyone who disturbs them will deal with me and David; do I make myself clear?" There was a stunned silence throughout the room and into the kitchen. Everyone nodded their agreement; only Gillian started to question it.
"What's so important? It's only transport, for god's sake! I'm going to find out for myself." She got up to leave, but thankfully Stewart finally found the guts to stand up to his bitch-wife and pulled her back down onto his lap. He whispered in her ear
"You dare disturb them and it's no sex for you for a month." Gillian turned to Stewart gob-smacked. Sex, or lack of, was the only thing left for Stu in his arsenal and he was grateful it worked again this time. Amy said a quiet thank you to the group and headed upstairs to the loo. The baby was certainly dictating things these-days.
Upstairs in Elizabeth's room things were progressing rather quickly. Ruth had already hacked into the MI5 mainframe using the 'back door' and was beginning to trawl through all the Intel. Harry was on the phone to Adam, getting a clearer picture of the situation.
"It's a bomb threat to the Houses of Parliament but someone knew you were out of town, so stay put and keep your eyes open for anyone coming over unexpected."
"Okay, will notify Ruth's mother. Get everyone together; I'll call back in 15 minutes." Harry rang off and indicated he was leaving to look for Elizabeth.
"Look in the kitchen Harry; she's probably been left to clean up on her own again," Ruth informed him.
Harry descended the stairs and headed straight for the kitchen. Spotting Amy in the hall, he pulled her along too. Reaching the kitchen, he was met with Gillian pestering her Aunt for answers.
"Come on Aunt Elizabeth. Tell me something...ah, the man himself. Well, what do you have to say for yourself?" Harry clenched his teeth; the time for niceties was over.
"Go away Gillian, I need to talk to Elizabeth and Amy in private."
"Ooo...Mr Commando now, hey? What do you want to talk about?" Harry knew she was goading him, but she was impossible. Luckily, Elizabeth stepped in.
"Gillian, leave now. I'll talk to you later." Gillian stalked out of the kitchen saying
"This isn't over, you know." Harry sighed. He hated telling people their lives were at risk because of him. Making sure the door was firmly closed, he moved towards the women.
"This is not an easy thing to say, and I hate doing it; but it can't be ignored. The chopper was not for us, because it was sent by someone else, not Special Branch. So, unfortunately, that means that someone other than MI5 and the Home Secretary knows Ruth and I are here. Don't panic; but please, don't open the door to anyone you don't know; even if it is someone you do know, but aren't expecting them today. You'll have to keep an eye on the front and back door. If anyone approaches you, let me know. Amy, can you please discretely tell David to watch a door as well. This is not a hoax and I'm sorry to drag you into this. Do you understand what you need to do?" Harry looked at both women and saw the fear in their eyes. He pulled them close and hugged them tight saying
"I'm so sorry; but this has to be done now, for everyone's safety." Elizabeth was the first to respond,
"Yes, we understand. How should we let you know?"
"Send one of the children to get me. Don't worry, you'll be fine. Anyone looking for us won't do anything to your family that will cause alarm. All the same, be careful." Harry hugged them both again and returned upstairs to Ruth.
