"Home Secretary, I would appreciate it if you refrained from trying to poach members of my team."
"One member, Harry, only one."
"The most important one."
"To Section D, or to you personally."
"To my section."
"Are you sure about that?"
"Of course."
"Harry, it was merely a speculative chat over dinner. Don't let's get all Shakespearean about it."
"Dinner!"
"Yes, dinner."
"What do you mean dinner?"
"You know that thing we do… knives and forks, food, wine, coffee and the like."
"…The like?"
"Conversation, Harry."
"Right. About what?"
"About the fact that Ruth is one of our best assets and yet she has remained on the same pay grade for the last eight years, her triumphs remaining unheralded, her successes unrewarded. In short Harry you have suppressed her, failed to value and truly appreciate her."
"And what, Home Secretary, you do?"
"I do. There is much to be appreciated."
"She will not work for you."
"You sure about that, Harry?"
"Yes, I am."
"That's not what she says."
"Excuse me?"
"I 'm sorry Harry but Ruth…"
"Miss Evershed."
"…Ruth, will almost certainly be joining my staff very shortly."
"But I…"
"Come on, old son, face it, you won't be in the job too much longer, why should she stay with you when opportunity calls elsewhere? And a hellishly good opportunity, too."
"Because she's mine."
"Yours?"
"Yes. She's my analyst."
"Is that all, Harry?"
"Of course."
'That's good, I'm glad to hear it. She's a very attractive woman, do you not think?"
"Yes, I do."
"And I think she is enjoying the attention. She certainly seemed to enjoy dinner. Very good company, a little shy perhaps but with spirit. I can imagine she has a real fire in her belly."
"She is passionate about what she believes, yes and moral, she sees things in a way few people can."
"And how do you think she sees you Harry?"
"As ... someone who has disappointed her."
"You might be right there."
"Why, did she say something?"
"No, but I sensed a certain reluctance when your name was mentioned. Anyway enough of this. Ruth will, I'm sure, be moving departments very soon and I do not expect you to stand in her way. So I have your assurance on that?"
"I don't believe…"
"Harry, that was a rhetorical question."
And with that Towers strode off leaving Harry bereft and alone, another loss, this time perhaps one too many.