Haunted
Ruth lay silently on the cold hard concrete floor. She couldn't move. Whatever sedative had been injected into her was also a paralytic. Opening her eyes was too much effort. Briefly she wondered if the woman she had heard talking realised she could hear and feel everything that was going on. She just couldn't move. Silently she prayed that the rest of the team were safe, that Ros was recovering and someone was making sure Harry didn't go rouge.
"Such a mousy thing." The woman tucked a strand of hair behind Ruth's ear. "So unassuming and just plain. Not the sort I'd have thought he would go for at all. Jules said the same as did Oliver. Be warned, Piotr, this woman is tougher than she looks."
"You said it wouldn't be a problem. Selling the file on. Maybe we can strike a deal wit the Redbacks? A spy like her; has to be worth something." The Russian man spoke.
"No." The woman Ruth now recognised as Tessa snapped. "We keep to the plan. You killed your father over this. Let's not deviate now."
"He was a sperm donor. Not one thing more!" Piotr raged. "A traitor! Scum!"
"You, my dear boy are not the archangel Gabriel." Tessa turned to him, her hand still clamped on Ruth's right shoulder. "You are doing this for the same reasons I am. Money and Revenge. Handing this woman over to those monsters would only cause World War 3. Believe you me. Harry Pearce, Zafar Younis and Adam Carter would move heaven and earth to get her back."
"You know this?"
"I was her once. Section B Analyst." Tessa sighed. "Until Zoe Reynolds became a little self righteous." She spat the words out. "Now I just want the money. You get that damn file. Sell it to the Chinese and you get me my share."
Ruth listened intently, knowing there was no way she was able to do anything with the information.
"Do you have everything you need?"
"Of course."
"Off you go then. There's a good boy."
"We sell her. Highest bidder." Piotr snapped. "Do not touch her."
Tessa glared. "Spoil sport." He picked up a hand gun before leaving. Tessa frowned, grabbing Ruth by the hair she kissed her hard on the lips. Ruth felt sick, her guts lurched as Tessa groped her before dropping her back into the concrete floor.
"Just wondering what Harry sees in you."
Xxxxxx
Erin walked through the corridors of the Russian embassy feeling more confused than she had been at the start of the case. She had settled into Section D well and cared about her team. Knowing that Ros had been hospitalised and Ruth was still missing made her feel lost. The women were the heart and minds of the team - Ruth was the matriarch whether she wanted to be or not. Ros was the spine of the team- holding them all together.
"You ok?" Dimitri asked as he fell into step beside her.
"No." Erin answered honestly. "Is it just me, or is this about more than Khrushchev? There's more going on. Attacking Claudia and the other assets was pointless otherwise."
"A show of strength? Letting us know what they can do?" He asked as they headed out to her car. Erin nodded.
"Maybe. I'm glad I put the tracker on Alexa though."
"You did what?"
"You heard." Erin smirked as she stepped away from him. Dimitri shook his head as he jogged after her. Bugging the niece of the head of the
FSB could be tricky; if they were caught.
Xxxx
Harry checked his gun. It was fully loaded and primed. He had every intention of using it if he couldn't bring Ruth home. He picked up the briefcase as Malcolm frowned.
"You have the tracer? The powder I put on your wedding ring should transfer to the culprit should he get close enough for you to touch him." Malcolm explained. "The microphone and tracer will give us your location. Tariq will be watching you. Adam, Alec and Beth will be there. I have Zaf, Will and Zoe on standby should we get Ruth's location before you do."
"Good." Harry straightened his jacket.
"No heroics." Malcolm frowned. "Ros is already in the hospital. We could do without any further injury."
Harry glared as he listened to his old friend.
"All I ask, is you keep Catherine safe on the Grid."
Malcolm nodded as Harry walked away from him. He turned to see Catherine watching them. Once Harry had left the Pods she stepped closer to her godfather.
"They're not coming home. Are they?"
"I believe things may be a little tricky but we will get them back. Harry is the best at this and Ruth is a strong woman. They'll be home." He smiled slightly, praying he was right.
Xxxxx
The cold winter sunshine covered the area where Harry was told to wait. He didn't like Battersea Power Station. It had too many ways to get in and out. The places to hide were numerous. He leant on the railings as his phone rang. Pulling the devise from his pocket he answered the call.
"I'm here."
Piotr paused for a moment.
"So I see. Before we start; I should tell you Ruth is dying."
Harry felt his blood run cold. He had no idea if the Russian was telling him the truth.
"Where is she?"
"She is currently being fed a IV drip. My father taught me the practical skills of siting a line. Into this line is harmless saline. But also a sedative used by Yalta to subdue its traitors. Too much causes a massive cardiac arrest. Difficulty breathing and muscle paralysis. When I left she was already unable to open her eyes. Soon the muscles in her chest will tire and not work. She will suffocate on oxygen."
"Tell me where she is."
"My file."
"I have it." Harry lied. "I'm holding it right now."
"She is going to die. If that file is fake I gave the word to have her moved to the care of the Redbacks." Piotr laughed as Harry fell deathly silent.
"Where is she?"
"Heat scanning the area." Tariq spoke calmly. Harry could hear the baby of the team, knowing Piotr couldn't.
"Put the file in the empty dog waste bin across the road." Harry did as he was asked. The papers fitting neatly inside. "Well done. 54, 72.0"
"What?" Harry glared.
"They're co-ordinates." Catherine's voice came through as a single gun shot rang out. "Dad? Dad!"
Harry ducked behind a parked car. The second gunshot had happened before he had realised his head had connected with the concrete.
"I'm ok. Is anyone nearer to those coordinates than I am?"
"Already on the way." Zaf answered as Harry watched the man, no older than Tariq approach the bin. A second later a third gunshot rang out; hitting Piotr square in the chest. Harry scrambled to his feet running.
Xxxx
(A\n shameless plug for reviews! Will Ruth survive? Wtf is Tessa up to?)