Secure e-mail transcript:-

Date: 31.05.12; 17:58 G.M.T.

To: William Towers

From: Dr. Sarah Hampton

Re: Harry Pearce

William:

You can expect my preliminary report on Tuesday, and pestering me about it will not make me write faster. I will, however, give you a summary of my conclusions in the hopes that I will have at least a little bit of peace over the week-end.

Harry Pearce is grieving profoundly, but I see no reason at this time to take him off the job. I know the DG had concerns about suicidal tendencies, but in my opinion those concerns are unfounded, despite what happened at the time of Ms. Evershed's death. His account of what happened at that time is consistent with Ms. Watts' and the other witnesses' statements; he has no loss of memory, nor is he trying to rationalize his behaviour. He's living in order to honor her sacrifice, and perversely, it's his guilt that is keeping him going in that regard.

You should be happy that the money spent all those years ago to train him in anti-interrogation techniques has not gone to waste. I talked to him for three days, and I was unable to find out what he does when he goes on "hiatus". I'll leave that for the spies to figure out, if they must. I've no doubt he just goes somewhere quiet, but has an association in his mind with Ruth – maybe a bench or a park somewhere. It is psychologically impossible, not to mention unbelievably stupid to insinuate, as you know who has, that Harry is off selling secrets somewhere during these times. Even before this happened, he has given everything of himself to the Service. He has no use for money, is not ambitious, and doing such a thing is in direct opposition to everything that Ruth Evershed stood for, which is Harry's only concern right now. The waters are being stirred just so a particular acolyte can get into Section D, and you know that as well as I do.

Sasha Gavrik. There's no need to worry particularly on that score. Harry believes himself responsible for Ruth's death, and seems indifferent to him. I doubt that the elder Gavrik and his cronies would let Sasha get anywhere within a hemisphere from Harry anyway, after having taken all that trouble to spirit him away from practically under our noses. In the extremely unlikely event that they meet by chance, I'm not sure what would happen, but it is safe to say that there will be no unauthorised diversion of MI-5 resources to track down a former FSB officer.

Having said all of this, it is apparent that Harry is not well – and before you start arguing with me for being inconsistent, let me clarify. He is able to do his job, and do it as well as anyone. But outside of the job he is a wreck (and before you get snarky, I will give you the official jargon in my full report). No one can shoulder the guilt that he has over these months and be unscathed. He needs a better support system than he has right now – I understand that there's a daughter that he's on good if not close terms with that may help. I've told Harry that he'll need to see me or another therapist of his choosing at least twice a month for the foreseeable future as a condition of his continued employment. It's a complete lie of course, but it was the only way I could make sure he would talk to someone, so should he mention it to you, you need to back me up.

I should thank you for bringing Harry to my attention – he makes a nice change from all the narcissists and megalomaniacs you've been shunting my way lately. I'll talk to you about my report on Tuesday and not a moment before, so for the love of God, do not call me. Otherwise, you may have to face my husband's wrath.

-S.H.