Meeting

The cold bit into her skin as she walked towards the railings over looking the Thames. She loved the river, it calmed her when her nerves were frayed. The Thames had been such an integral part of her life. It was where she had left Harry all those years ago, where she had watched the swirling waters on her return as she contemplated whether she should jump in and let the water take her to the afterlife and where she had finally realised she was exactly where she was supposed to be. It seemed the ideal place to meet the man who had asked her to risk everything once again. Traitors had forced her separation from Harry years earlier, she was determined they wouldn't do it again.

"We have eyeball." Zoe stated as she sat in the obs van a few hundred yards from where Ruth was stood. She knew it was vital that Spencer had no idea what was going on. Ruth closed her eyes, letting the nerves take over for a moment. If Catherine had been right then there was a good chance Tessa would be there. She knew the older woman would known who she was and there was a very good chance that she would know Ruth and Harry having marriage problems was a cover story. In reality they were closer than ever. Ruth bit her lip as she listened to the chatter, relieved that Catherine and Tariq were safe on the Grid with Harry. She couldn't bare the thought of anyone else being in the firing line and knew if Harry's enemies couldn't use her then they would try to get to his children. Her children as far as she was concerned. She listened as Adam and Zaf explained they were in position and Dimitri confirmed he and Beth were following the target. Ruth turned sharply as she felt a hand on her upper arm.

"Walk."

"Excuse me?" Ruth pulled her arm away suddenly aware that there was a gun in her ribs.

"Sorry, but its not safe here." The taller man stated as Ruth raised an eyebrow.

"No? You sticking a gun in my ribs sort of gave that away." Ruth was surprised at how calm she sounded. Tony Ying laughed menacingly as he ushered her towards a waiting 4x4. Similar to Harry's car, she knew it would not allow any signal from a bug or tracer to go through. It was a newer model than the 4x4 Harry owned but had no doubt it was upgrade with enough tech to scramble any unwanted interference from bugs or listening devices from any security service in the Western World. Her heart began to thump loudly in her chest as she realised there was no way of telling the team what had happened. Now all she had was her own instincts and the hope that the others would realise what was happening and follow her.

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"Where is she?" Tariq snapped. "I." He began pressing keys on the computer in front of him as Malcolm came to stand behind him. He frowned as he heard Catherine swear.

"Jammers."

"How?" Catherine looked up. "The cameras? How is that happening?"

"I dunno." Tariq snapped. "Yet."

Malcolm returned to his own computer quietly tapping away at his computer, determine to get the CCTV cameras back under the control of the Grid. Harry emerged from his office.

"Give me good news." He looked around at the few members of the team who were still on the Grid.

"The rain has stopped." Malcolm kept his eyes on the computer screen. "I also have the registration number of the vehicle Ruth is currently ensconsed in."

Harry felt his blood run cold. He knew his old friend was trying to keep calm but he was just as worried as he was. He looked over at Catherine who was glaring at the images in front of her.

"Erin and Will are in position. Lucas is following the 4x4 on the bike."

"Ok." Harry knew whatever was going on he was no use to his team on the Grid. He stepped back into his office, heading towards the safe in the corner of the room. A moment later he had his gun, silencer and enough bullets to fell a small army. Silently he stepped out of the Grid without looking back.

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"This was not part of the deal." Ruth flinched as the gun pushed more insistently in to her ribs. She knew the driver would remain silent but the man next to her was not so shy. "I was supposed to be meeting Spencer."

"Yeah." Tony nodded. "Damion is a little indisposed at the moment. He wanted to meet you."

Ruth's eyes shot to the man who was holding her hostage. "Indisposed?"

"Yes." He nodded. "Meeting you appears to be a dangerous activity. You arrange to meet Maria and she becomes, shall we say unavailable and now Damion is also out of the picture."

Ruth felt sick. She knew the man next to her was telling her she was about to be murdered, the same way as Spencer had been once his usefulness had run out. She knew it was not unlike Tessa to remove anyone who stood in her way. She looked away, angry with the weak willed man who had wanted to exploit her for information, who had betrayed his country for money. She was equally angry with Tessa and scared that unless her team worked out what was happening there was a very real chance she was not going to see Harry and their children again.

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