This got quite long so isn't the last chapter, after all. :)


The Grid lights flicker on as Harry steps out of the pod, indicating that he is the first arrival of the day. He knows he shouldn't be surprised, given that it's only 6.30 a.m. but he half expected Ruth to be there. Whether that's a good or bad sign is something he's not sure about.

Just before seven o'clock, his phone rings.

"Morning Harry. It's Dominic. I've got some information for you on that house in Cheltenham."

Harry makes notes as his old friend runs through what he's found out. "It all sounds good to me," he says as he taps his pen absentmindedly on the notepad.

"It is." There's a pause. "Harry, if you're looking for somewhere for your retirement, there are plenty of decent cottages in the surrounding villages."

"It's not for my retirement."

"Then I hope you're not thinking of going into property development because the council are about to extend the conservation area and that house will fall within it. Anyone expecting to buy it, demolish it and build half a dozen houses in its place is going to be disappointed."

"Really?" Harry leans back in his chair. "That's useful to know."

-x-

Ruth is rummaging through her handbag, trying to find her security pass, when she catches her foot on a step and stumbles. A strong hand grips her arm, preventing her from falling.

"Careful. Don't want you breaking anything."

"H-Harry. I was looking for my…sorry…thanks." She is aware of the warmth of his fingers where he is still holding on to her. "H-have you got a moment?"

"Not really. I've got to go. Meeting. At the Home Office."

He sounds as disorientated as she feels.

"I'll see you later, Ruth."

There's a gentle pressure on her arm before he starts to walk away. At the bottom of the steps he stops and looks back at her for a moment.

-x-

Ruth glances around before entering the forgery suite but there is no one else nearby.

"Can you spare a minute, Malcolm?"

The technician looks up at her and smiles. "Of course."

"Um, Harry told me you've been doing some research for him. About my father's colleagues."

"Yes, I have."

"Did he…did he tell you why?"

Malcolm tilts his head on one side. "He said you needed help with something but you hadn't realised it yet. A typically Harry sort of remark, don't you think?"

She laughs, softly. "Yes, very Harry."

"Would you like to know what I found?"

"Please."

He taps at the keyboard in front of him and a list of names and photographs appear on the screen. "The three that are highlighted are the ones Harry deemed of most interest. Shall I send their details through to you?"

"Thanks, Malcolm." She picks up a small plastic box from the desk in front of her and starts to fiddle with it. "My mother decided to get rid of some of my father's things. Papers, journals…"

"You don't have to tell me, Ruth."

"I know. I just…well, Harry did say that you asked him if I was all right."

Malcolm blushes and shifts in his chair. "You've seemed a bit upset recently…I'm concerned about you."

Ruth smiles. "Thank you." Without warning, she lightly kisses him on the cheek and is amused when he goes an even deeper shade of crimson. "You've just proved that something Harry told me the other day is true."

"Oh?"

"He said people care about me."

"They do." He hesitates. "And some of them care a great deal."

When Ruth gets back to her desk and logs onto her computer, she finds an email from Malcolm:

R

Attached is the information we discussed.

Thought for the day:

'Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt.'

It might not be fashionable to say so but the Bard knew what he was talking about.

M

"You're absolutely right, Malcolm," she murmurs to herself.

-x-

It's nearly midday by the time Harry gets back to the Grid.

"We were about to send out a search party for you," Adam remarks as the older man passes his desk.

"Bloody civil servants. The best part of three hours to decide we need another meeting."

The blond grins. "Last time I checked, we were civil servants too."

"At least we get the job done," Harry remarks as he looks around the Grid. "Where is everyone?"

"Everyone or someone in particular?"

"Don't get cute with me."

Adam laughs. "I wouldn't dream of it. Anyway, Ruth would never forgive me."

His comment is met with a raised eyebrow and a look that leaves him in no doubt he should just answer the question. "Section A - something about surveillance recordings from Gatwick."

-x-

Malcolm knocks on Harry's door and waits to be called in.

"What can I do for you Malcolm?" Harry asks without looking up.

"Er, how did you know it was me?"

"You're the only person who knocks and waits."

"Ah, right."

"So?"

Malcolm is momentarily nonplussed . "Oh yes. I have the financial information for the Massud brothers. As we expected, very complicated; lots of holding companies, subsidiaries and sub-contractors. It's going to be a nightmare to get someone on the inside but we can do it."

"Good. Leave it with me."

Malcolm hands over the sheaf of papers. "Um..."

"She asked you, didn't she?"

Without mentioning any details, it's clear both of them know who, and what, they are talking about.

"Yes Harry, she did." Malcolm shifts from one foot to the other. "I gave her the information I found. That's not a problem is it?"

"No, of course not."

"Good." He moves towards the doorway. "I don't think that girl's had a lot of love in her life, and I don't just mean of the romantic variety."

Harry stops writing and looks up but Malcolm has gone. "No," he says softly, "I don't think she has."

-x-

"Sorry about rushing off earlier."

Ruth is startled by the unexpected but familiar voice by her ear. "Harry! You frightened the bloody life out of me!"

"I didn't mean to, sorry." He grabs an empty chair and moves it next to hers. "Does Malcolm know you're in here?" he asks as he sits down.

"I wasn't aware I needed his permission," she snaps. "Sorry, I didn't mean that." She turns to look at him. "I'm tired and these recordings aren't very clear."

"You didn't get a lot of sleep then?"

She shakes her head. "No. What about you?"

"I was here at half past six."

She watches him as he speaks and her brow furrows. "You missed a bit," she says, running a finger over a small patch of stubble on his cheek.

The unexpected physical contact makes him struggle to find his voice. "That's what comes of shaving at 5.30 in the morning when you've had about four hours sleep," he finally croaks out.

"Harry? Ah, there you are."

Ruth snatches her hand back just as Zaf's head appears round the doorway of the forgery suite.

"Zafar," Harry says, in lieu of swearing at the younger man.

"Er, phone call for you. It's urgent. Adrian Palmerston from the Saudi desk at Six."

"Right," Harry replies, decisively. He leaves the room without a backward glance.

"So, what are you up to, Ruth?" Zaf settles himself into the newly vacated seat next to her.

"Trying to make sense of these Gatwick tapes," she replies, airily, ignoring the mischievous glint in her colleague's eyes. "Now you're here, you can help," she adds, preventing him from questioning her any further.

-x-

Ruth returns from the canteen with two cups of coffee and a bulging paper carrier bag. She crosses the Grid, quickly, and goes into Harry's office.

"I know you're tired but go easy on the caffeine," he remarks, with some amusement.

"One's for you." She sets the items down on his desk. "I thought we could have a late lunch…" she tails off, registering the look on his face.

"It's a lovely idea but I've got a meeting at Scotland Yard and I need to leave in a minute."

"Oh…It's just that…I want to…it doesn't matter."

Something in the jumble of words registers with Harry; she's made a decision. "I've got to go to the Cabinet Office once I'm finished at the Yard but why don't you meet me afterwards? We could have a drink…"

She considers his suggestion. "OK."

"Good. How about The Chandos? Say 6.30?"

She nods. "Yes."


Find out Ruth's decision in the next chapter, which really will be the last one. :)