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Ruth stared at the pieces of A4 paper that surrounded her. The paper hadn't aged well, yellowing at the edges the copies looked like they had been printed on an old fashioned typewriter. Ruth held one of Juliet's typed reports in her hand; glad that they had the luxury of modern computers and printers. She rolled her eyes remembering they didn't have that particular luxury at the moment.
"Case assigned to Acting Section Head Juliet May Shaw and Case officer Henry 'Harry' Pearce. Code names CHAOS and EROS." She read quietly. "Fitting really." She leant towards the paper stack in front of them as two strong arms grabbed her from behind. A cloth covered her mouth smothering her scream as the chloroform took effect. The man lit a match, dropping it into the pile of papers Ruth had accumulated. Before she woke he scooped her into his arms before carrying her out of the disarmed fire escape.
Xxxxxx
"You've done what?" Beth turned as Zoe handed her the carry out coffee she had just bought. Sighing she looked at the blonde woman.
"Set a date. Zaf and I."
"You've been engaged forever. Why now?" Beth paused. Zoe rolled her eyes.
"Five years." Zoe sipped her drink. "Next summer. All being well."
"Hen night. Most important thing. You have to have one." Beth lead her back towards the car as the older woman shook her head.
"No chance! I'm not having a hen night." Beth pulled a face. "If I did I'd have to ask Zaf's sisters; who don't really know what we do. It could be a really awkward night."
Beth pulled a face. She knew how secret their lives had to be but it bothered her that they missed the normal things people with average jobs took for granted. Before she could answer her mobile rang.
"Dim." She answered as her boyfriend spoke. "What ? Say that again!" She paused. "Yeah, me and Zo are on our way back." She hung up. "Cmon."
"What was that about?" Zoe ducked around a couple of teenagers as she followed Beth.
"There's been a fire in Thames House and Ruth has vanished."
"What!"
"Ruth gone. Base burned. Can't say it any simpler."
Zoe shot her a death glare.
"I'm driving."
"Excuse me."
"I'm faster than you." Zoe snapped before getting to the driver seat. "Cmon." She pressed her foot to the accelerator as Beth tried to get her seatbelt on.
Xxxxxxx
"Lucas." Zaf walked into the ITU cubicle carrying two machine coffees. "Just spoke to Erin. There's been some more trouble."
Lucas kept his and on Ros'. He couldn't bring himself to care about anything or anyone who wasn't Ros. Zaf sighed, sensing the conversation was going to be two sided he paused.
"I have to go back to the Grid. There's been a fire in the Records Room. Ruth is missing."
Lucas snapped his attention to his friend. Zaf held his gaze.
"What?"
"Tariq says they have been doing a complete check - all IT was off so Ruth went to the records room to look at some files. An hour later the fire alarms are activated and she's gone."
"Does Harry know?"
"Yes." Zaf spoke calmly. "Malcolm red flashed everyone when he realised what had happened. You stay with Ros. Whoever did this to her has got to be on the inside. Either that or we've been spied on."
Lucas nodded. He felt Ros' hand beneath his own. The skin still warm as the machines kept her weakened body alive. Zaf left the room quietly; heartbroken at the sight of his friend fighting to live and the news another was missing. He shoved his hands in his pockets before heading back to his car.
Xxxxxxx
The air was acrid with the smell of smoke as Harry and Adam stood outside the gutted Records Room. The sprinklers had controlled the fire but caused enough chaos that Ruth's abductor could get away unnoticed. A fire officer headed towards them.
"Paul Smith, London Fire Service." He held out his hand as Harry glared. Pulling back he stated the fire was out but the room had been extensively damaged.
"Any." Harry paused. The words stuck in his thrust. Adam understood.
"Any sign of human remains in there?" Adam asked. Harry felt sick. Paul shook his head.
"No. No one died in that room."
Harry felt his stomach lurch.
"We did find a woman's shoe. Only one oddly enough. Forensics in there now. Definite arson though. We'll be in touch." Paul touched his helmet before heading past the two men.
"She's alive."
"I know what you are thinking." Harry paused. "But she's not the traitor. Not her."
"I was not thinking that." Adam snapped. "Someone wants us to think she is. It's like Mace all over again."
Harry nodded once as his mobile sprang to life. He answered on the first ring.
"Pearce."
A woman's scream could be heard before a decidedly accented male voice answered.
"The file. 24 hours. First your Section Chief now your Chief Analyst. The file, 24 hours. I'll be in touch." The line went dead as Harry swore.
