CHAPTER 9

Tubbed and scrubbed, Graham joined Harry and Ruth in the lounge to discuss a plan of action. They reviewed Graham's story again and decided to open an official investigation into the situation with MI-5. Harry and Ruth headed back to the Grid and Graham agreed to stay at the house with Anna. Harry called in and requested a security detail for the house and ordered Tariq to red flash the team.

Upon arriving at the Grid, Ruth immediately set to work researching the names that Graham imparted and cross-referencing with the information Tom had provided. Harry headed straight to his office, calling a meeting to commence in half an hour. Lucas arrived ten minutes later followed in intervals by Sharon, Louis and Bram.

Harry had been working hard over the past several months to bind his new team together. Sharon Fant was a recent graduate of Oxford recruited by MI-5 after a particularly interesting episode involving irate students, coded messages and cheating on an unprecedented scale. She was tall and thin with strawberry blonde hair surrounding a narrow face with blue eyes that either warmed your heart or sliced through to your soul.

Louis Timothy was a young man with an Indian heritage who had joined the service the traditional way and was slowly working his way up through the ranks. Harry had brought him in when he had chanced to cross paths with the young man during an operation where he had seen a new side to the usually quiet chap. Louis had risked his life on a decision born from brilliant insight. The quiet young man had adopted a daring façade and saved the life of a mother and child.

Bram Wells was a forty something agent, six foot tall, graying sideburns and happy eyes, who had worked for GCHQ for several years before being seconded to the Irish section of MI-5 ten years ago. When Harry's team had needed an officer, Bram requested a transfer. Bram was mature, steady and grounded. He knew what he was about and didn't mess about trying to prove himself.

Harry glanced out of his office windows to check that his team was in place, then rose and called them to the meeting room. Once they had all found their seats, Harry asked Ruth to fill them in on the situation then Harry passed out the assignments.

"Lucas, you knew Tom Quinn, I want you to follow up his trail and find out whether what he's told us about himself is true. Bram, I'd like you to work with Lucas on this." The two men nodded, Lucas hiding his look of surprise at being asked to investigate his former protégé. "Tariq, I want you and Sharon to trace the money. Find this Columbian drugs gang and follow the money into the UK." Tariq tried to cover his smile at the opportunity to work with his attractive colleague. "Louis, you work with Ruth on following up the information Graham provided. Allright? Let's get to it." Harry rose and returned to his office.

Two hours later Harry called the team back to the meeting room for an update. Lucas and Bram had found only the slightest evidence of Tom's exit from the UK, not surprisingly as Tom Quinn was one of the best. Tariq and Sharon were having somewhat more success, they had traced the money from Columbia and had narrowed down the British contacts in the drugs trade to three or four known drug traffickers. Ruth and Louis were following up on the names that Graham had provided them but still had lots of digging to do.

As Harry returned to his office, his mobile rang.

"Yes."

"Harry? Um, Mr. Pearce? It's Anna. Um, Graham went out and he hasn't come back. I'm getting scared now. I didn't know what to do." Anna spoke the words in a rush.

"Anna, calm down and tell me what happened." Harry attempted to calm her enough to get some information. He heard a deep breath on the other end.

"Graham went out to get some milk for me. He's been gone about two hours. I'm scared." Her voice quavered as she spoke.

"Anna. Look out the front window. Is your security officer still there?" Harry spoke calmly, trying to keep Anna calm.

After a pause, wherein Harry could hear her footsteps Anna answered, "Ye-yes. There's one in the front but the guy in the back is gone."

"Wait there Anna. Just hold for a moment." Placing his hand over the phone, Harry called, "Ruth, come here please." He waited until she was close then led her into his office. Quietly, he informed her, "Anna is on the phone. She says that Graham went out two hours ago and hasn't returned and one of the security officers is gone as well. Can you please speak to her and keep her calm?" Ruth agreed and took the mobile.

Harry strode quickly over to Lucas, calling Louis over at the same time. "Lucas, Louis, I want you to head over to my house and find out what's going on. It seems that Graham went out two hours ago and hasn't returned." The men grabbed their jackets and departed at speed.

Returning to his office, he used his desk phone to contact the security officers at his house. Joseph answered, confused by Harry's concern.

"Is it correct that Graham left the house two hours ago?" Harry inquired.

"Yes, sir but Frank went with him," Joseph replied.

"When is the last time you heard from them?" Harry asked.

"Hmmm, two hours ago but Frank went with him," Joseph intoned again.

"Contact them now, Joseph," Harry insisted, beginning to lose his calm.

"Harry, Graham's not responding but Frank went with him," Joseph replied.

"JOSEPH!" Harry stopped when he felt Ruth's hand on his arm. "Joseph, you had better be certain that nothing happens to the young lady. Hold your position. Lucas and Louis are on their way." Blowing air out between his teeth stridently, Harry shook his head in disgust. To Ruth he said, "That boy is headed for three months of retraining followed by an Irish assignment." Ruth squeezed his hand in affection as she continued speaking with Anna.

"Help is on the way, Anna, everything is going to be fine," Ruth reassured her.

"What if they've found him, Ruth? What if they've got him?"