A/N
Sorry about the delay! Hope you enjoy this one, thanks to everyone for the very lovely reviews! I'm glad some of you think I'm getting the characterisations right, it's what I aim for! Many thanks, hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: All characters etc. belong to Kudos. I own nothing. Nothing at all. No copyright infringement intended.
It was late the next morning when Libby appeared out of his room. His hangover was as bad as to be expected and, when he reached the main dining area, he fully expected that the other two men would take advantage of it. He was not wrong.
"Libby!" Ronnie called out, smugly, "how nice of you to join us at last."
Libby scowled, but could not retort. Instead, he sat down and held his forehead in his hands while one of the women from last night placed a steaming mug of coffee down in front of him.
"Cheers darlin'," Libby grunted and the woman nodded, then left. He glanced at Ronnie and Mani, both of whom sat opposite him, smirking in that smug, superior way they did when he took things further than them.
"I wish you two would really wipe those shit-eatin' grins from your faces," he growled.
"My, my, temper," Ronnie responded, delighted, "it's not our fault you over-exerted yourself."
"Piss-poor excuse for friends you are, lettin' me drink like that."
"Please, Libby," Mani said, resting his chin on his steepled hands as he leant on the table, "don't mistake what this is. We are not friends, we are allies. Nothing more."
Libby looked between the two; both seemed ready for business.
"Fine, fine," Libby grumbled, "of course not. After this we'll have nothing more to do with each other after all. So why have I been dragged down here?"
"Harry Pearce," Ronnie sighed, "What do you think?"
"Well we've already told him everything, not that he didn't know it already-"
"- we haven't told them everything," Mani interrupted coldly, "we could still turn them away now and they'll have no chance of stopping it."
"You're right of course," Libby replied, "but if he can't stop it, he'll make good on bringing this operation to light. I can't be responsible for bringing my country into more war than is necessary. I'd be hung out to dry…"
He took a sip of his coffee, but it didn't seem to be helping the pounding headache. Just like them to make me look a fool, he thought darkly, all business and I can't even think straight.
"So we let him in?"
"The man has morals," Mani mused, "he showed that last night… but I think this operation overrides these morals or he wouldn't be here."
"Right, that's decided. We'll tell him later today," Libby made to stand up, "if that'll be all gentlemen-"
"- what about the woman?"
Ronnie looked over at Mani, questioning, while Libby collapsed back down with a groan. He was never going to get to sleep this off.
"Ruth Evershed? What about her?" Ronnie was nonplussed at Mani's question.
"I've been watching her… the way she looks at us. Harry we can trust, yes, but I don't know about her."
"I say we trust her," Libby remarked, "If we have Harry on side, she's not likely to go behind his back. After all, that would put him up shit creek without a paddle and implicate her."
"I would like to remind you both I'm the one that, if this all goes wrong, will be caught red-handed. While your governments may handle the fall out well enough to pension you both off… the Bureau will have no qualms in making sure I don't return to India."
"It's a risk…" Ronnie agreed, "but one we're going to have to take. She is his back-up. We either trust both, or neither."
"I think I should talk to her," Mani said, "just to make sure our trust is well placed."
"What are you goin' to do?" Libby laughed, "threaten to kill her?"
Mani stood up and swept down his suit, a cold smile fixed on his face.
"Sometimes it is not when our own lives are in danger that we make the right call… it is when someone else's is."
….
"So what are your plans for today?" Ruth asked as she walked out of the bathroom, brushing her hair.
Harry pulled his tie up tight and turned around to greet her with a smile.
"I thought I'd go back to the club and see if I can find out what route the shipment is coming in on," he explained as he picked up his watch to fasten round his wrist.
"We have two days left, might be useful to get some eyes in place at the most likely routes I guess," Ruth agreed.
"Hmm yes, I'd also like to know who the courier will be. I doubt the Americans would be so brazen as to do it themselves."
"Do you think they trust you?"
Harry threw on his suit jacket, adamant that no matter how unbearably hot it was he wouldn't be seen without proper attire.
"I think so, at least enough to be given information so we can stop it."
"Your collar."
"Huh?"
Ruth was walking towards him with a gentle smile. She drew up close and Harry felt his heart stop when her hands slowly slid up his lapels and looped round his neck.
"Ruth, what are you-?"
"- Your collar," she explained and Harry's heart started again when he felt her hands tug at his jacket behind his neck, "it was twisted. That's got it."
Her hands gently dropped down and she took a reluctant step back. Harry watched her, confused by the combating feelings; was he relieved that she didn't push it further? Disappointed?
"What should I do today?"
Harry sighed as the moment was once again lost amidst the reason they were here. Though he could still see the vibrant sparkle in her eyes from that close connection, it was surrounded by a professionalism that Harry couldn't help but admire.
"If you could make a start on possible journey routes," he asked, buttoning his jacket, "if we find out what countries the shipment is going through, we might be able to get a handle on who is providing the uranium in the first place. That way we might be able to identify our courier easier."
"I'll get started right away."
"I'm sure."
There was a brief lull in conversation as both just stared at each other. It wasn't uncomfortable, Harry decided, more familiar than anything. After nearly a minute, he cleared his throat.
"I should-"
"-Yes," Ruth replied hurriedly, "of course."
He strode past her and left the room with as much will as he could gather.
….
Ruth, Ruth, Ruth, Harry thought wistfully as he made his way through the hotel foyer.
His thoughts were so broken yet so fixated, he didn't pay attention to anyone else on his way out.
He didn't notice that the lady behind reception had cut her hair a little bit shorter (a decision she figured might make her look more professional). He didn't notice the cleaner who had come in later than usual because her child was sick and her grandmother couldn't take care of the little boy. He certainly didn't notice the Indian gentleman sitting at a table in the dining area, newspaper partially masking his face as he watched, waiting for Harry to leave.
As Harry exited the hotel, Mani put down the newspaper with a smile and headed towards their room. He wanted a quick chat with Ruth Evershed.
A/N
Hope you have enjoyed. Next chapter hopefully up tomorrow. If you have a moment, a review would be very much appreciated!
Thanks for reading!
