Preparing for dispatch?
Lucas helped Yusef manhandle Zaf into the back of the agony 4x4 he had 'borrowed' earlier that day. Sighing he knew the people back home would be desperate for news. Grabbing his mobile he prayed the signal and battery life were enough.
PACKAGE 1 LOCATED & SENT 4 ASSESSMENT & REPAIR.
Lucas pressed the send button hoping both Harry and Ros got the message. He climbed in the driver seat as Yusef steadied Zaf.
"You think my wife, my Yasmina is a traitor?" His voice panic stricken. Zaf groaned as his ribs burned. He tried and failed to shrug his shoulders. Lucas nodded once.
"An innocent woman walks into a burning building? Sorry, don't think so."
He smiled as the engine sprang into life. Yusef shook his head as he tried to steady Zaf, he just hoped that the tattooed man could help his patient. Something good had to come out of the situation. It just had to.
Xxxxxxx
Ros picked up the mobile phone from the edge of Harry's desk. A small smile crept across her lips as she read the text message from her husband. Adam was still missing but at least they now knew what happened to Zaf. If Lucas could get him to Red Troop and medical help they had a chance of getting him home.
"Zoe! Ruth! Office now." She called as both women got to their feet. Just for once she was going to enjoy giving them some good news.
Xxxxxx
Harry smiled slightly as he shoved the phone back into his trouser pocket. There was no time to reply. Finding and retrieving Adam was now the priority. He walked back towards his hotel knowing Will would be preparing to meet with Lucas. He wanted to be on his own in the field as much as possible. Will and Lucas were more than capable of taking care of themselves. Frowning he remembered he had thought that about Zaf and Adam. History could not repeat itself. He wouldn't lose anymore officers. Glaring ahead he remembered the promise he had made to himself the day Jo had died. She was the last. No one else would die on his watch.
"No more." He ran a hand over his face as he remembered the way Jo's mother and brother had reacted when he had appeared on their doorstep. He couldn't, wouldn't inflict that grief on any more families. The phone in his pocket vibrated, startling him from his thoughts. The message was simple and straightforward.
RING ME Rx
The mid afternoon sun burned his back as he read Ruth's message. He wasn't due to check in for another 48 hours but he knew if Malcolm was helping Ruth send secure texts there was a reason why. Looking around he decided to get indoors and check his room for bugs before replying.
Xxxxxxx
"Safe." Zoe repeated the word to herself as she crossed the Grid. Zaf was safe. It was a minor miracle which she hoped would be repeated.
"Red Troop will look after him." Tariq smiled as she nodded. "He's going to be ok. I checked, there's a military plane due to return to the UK in two days time."
"Yeah." Zoe nodded. "Yeah. Why do I feel guilty? Adam, Carrie." She wiped a stray tear as Tariq bit his lip. Sighing he hugged the older woman not sure what to say but hoping Harry and the others found Adam before it was too late.
Xxxxxxxxxx
Adam slumped against the cold stone wall of his cell. He had been determined not to tell his captors anything. Now he couldn't be so sure that he hadn't. Closing his eyes he tried to focus on home, images of Wes, Isabella and Carrie floated in his mind as he silently promised them he was coming home.
"Carrie." He mumbled. "Caz." Then the cold began to seep into his bones as his body shook. He swore at the irony of it all. He'd come to Iraq to save people from people traffickers, to prevent illegal weapons being transported. Now no one was coming to save him. He silently prayed his mum and wife never found out what had become of him. His last thoughts of Carrie as the darkness overwhelmed him.
Xxxxx
"Yes." Harry barked into the small mobile phone, relieved that his hotel room seemed to be free of bugs and other listening devices. Ruth closed her eyes at the sound of his voice.
"Our oldest has been digging in the garden again." Ruth sighed, hoping he would get the gist of what she was trying to say. "I've warned her to be careful but she will keep looking in the biggest molehills."
"That garden has so many." Harry caught on to what Ruth was trying to tell him. He knew Ros would be as tenacious as ever. He had to admire the way she doggedly pursued the truth, even when it would cost her personally.
"Yes."
"Be careful. Some of those are so high."
"I've warned her of the dangers." Ruth sighed. She listened as Harry paused.
"We can talk freely."
"Sure?"
"Yes."
"It's big. It goes to the top." Ruth began pacing the office, ignoring the looks of Catherine and Malcolm from the main Grid.
"You have a name?"
"Fairclough. Catherine and Ros found enough evidence. She found out about our op over there. She sold the names and locations."
"Where is she now?" Harry paced the hotel room, loosening his shirt buttons.
"Erin and Alec are trailing her. She gave that information to someone. Ros has informed Crowther." Ruth paused, suddenly realising she was pacing. "Adam."
"I have a lead. Ruth?"
"I miss you." Ruth whispered. "I. Be careful. Bring him home but please be careful." She closed her eyes, imagining him stood in front of her. She prayed he would heed her advice but she knew him well enough to know how he would react to Adam's capture. Section D were family. He sighed as she spoke.
"I'm coming home soon. We all are." He ended the call not knowing when or if he would speak to her again.
Xxxxxxzz
The London rain contrasted with the searing heat of Baghdad. The exhaust fumes, noise and volume of people were just as oppressive as Erin walked through Piccadilly Circus. A cyclist sped past her, almost knocking off her feet. On reflex she swore as Alec and Beth came into view. The woman they were following exited the exclusive hotel apparently oblivious to their presence. Erin jogged forwards heading directly at the middle aged woman as she headed into the crowds. Colliding with her she knocked the older woman to the floor.
"Oh my God." Erin helped her to her feet. "Sorry. I'm so so sorry. Are you hurt?"
"You really ought to be careful." Helena snapped. Erin nodded, continuing to apologise profusely as Alec appeared behind them.
"I'm not." Alec placed both hands on her shoulders as Erin straightened up. Helena tensed.
"What's to meaning of this?"
"We need a word." Beth revved the car engine as Alec spoke. Crowds of shoppers, tourists and commuters ignored them as Alec and Erin steered her towards the waiting car. "Actually my boss does seeing as your actions have endangered the security of this country."
"Well really!"
"Car now or I will make your actions known right here right now. Being detained for actions breaching the 2012 Anti Terrorism Act as well as the Official Secrets Act." He ushered her into the waiting car as Beth revved the engine. "In."
"This is outrageous."
"Yes. Treason is." Erin slammed the car door as Beth drove away.
Xxxxxxzzz
A/N please review
