26
Ros glared at the computer screen, arms folded her attention was on the images in front of her.
"Another gunman."
"So it would seem." Malcolm stated. "Someone who knew what was going to happen there today."
"Yeah." Zoe agreed. "Zaf, Lucas and Erin were the only ones we put on the roof. They were the only ones who would have been able to take the shot. Beth and Dimitri were ground level."
"Thank God for that." Lucas stated as he joined them. "I just talked to Graham. He's taking clean clothes to the hospital for Harry and Ruth. Said he's spoke to Harry, he's worried. Ruth hasn't been like this since Danny died."
"The woman was just forced to wear a suicide vest. Held at gunpoint by a psycho, apparently drugged to high Heaven and then almost blown up? I think I'd be a little 'off' too." Calum looked up from his computer as Ros shot him a look.
"You weren't here when Danny died." Adam stated calmly. Ros nodded once, she had heard rumours around the death of Danny Hunter and the way Ruth had reacted after. It was never really spoken about but she knew if Ruth had reacted half the way she had when Jo had died then they really had something to worry about. Pushing the thought away from her mind she looked up to see Beth slumped at her desk.
"Beth."
"Yeah?" The younger woman looked up. She seemed utterly defeated.
"Come on." Ros walked towards the Pods.
"Where?"
"Lets see what our friendly ex-Pm has to say for herself." She marched out the Pods giving Beth little choice but to follow.
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Graham walked towards the hospital entrance deep in thought. He had no idea if his father or Ruth were injured but Lucas' seemed concerned enough to contact him. He ran a hand over his face, knowing that if Terri was in harms' way there was nothing he would not do to help her. He knew Harry was the same. Sighing heavily he realised he and his father were not so different after all.
"Excuse me." He paused to ask directions, unable to escape the feeling of dread that was building in his stomach. He clutched the carrier bag Terri had packed in an almost death like grip as he saw his father sat on a plastic chair a few feet away.
"Dad?"
Harry looked up to see his oldest son walking towards him. He sighed heavily before getting to his feet. He looked utterly defeated, not the bold as brass man Graham was used to seeing.
"Hey." Graham reached him. "Lucas said you needed some stuff."
"Ruth."
"Terri put some things in there for her too. Dad, you look like Hell."
"I'm fine."
Graham raised an eyebrow as Harry looked away. "Yeah?"
"I will be." He sighed. "Thanks." He tapped Graham's arm as the younger man watched him. He knew his oldest son well enough to know he had more questions than he dared to ask.
"Ruth?"
"She's." Harry paused, trying to find the right words. Graham had been in rehab when Jo had died, had lost contact with his family when Danny had been killed. In that moment he realised he had no idea how many times he and Ruth had been close to being killed - he had no idea about Ruth's half hearted suicide attempt when she had suffered depression years earlier or the amount of times one or the other had faced their own mortality. He sighed heavily. "I don't know, son. This time, I don't know."
"But she's alive?"
"Yes." Harry smiled slightly. "Alive."
"What can I do?" Graham looked shocked as Harry sighed.
"Look after Nick and Gracie-Jo. I need to know they are ok. I need to know you are all looked after and safe." Harry's voice was low. "Ruth has to be my priority right now."
"Years ago I never thought I would hear you say that."
"What?"
"Family before work." Graham sighed. "I know you had to do what you did but as a kid Gracie's age? Just seemed that everything was more important than us."
Harry turned, frowning slightly.
"Graham." He waited until Graham looked him in the eye. "Nothing is or ever was more important that you and your sister. I did what I did back then to keep you safe. You and Catherine know what Jane and I were like. We were ."
"Toxic."
Harry nodded. "Yes we were."
"But you and Ruth." Graham smiled. "Do what you need to. Look after her, get both of you back on track and then see how things are. The kids are ok, they are safe. Nick and Gracie know you are in work."
"You're a good man, Graham." Harry swallowed hard.
"Well." Graham smiled. "I had a good role model. Now, go. Go and get changed and see your wife."
Harry ran a hand over his face. "I don't know if she wants to see me."
Graham frowned, knowing that whatever had happened to his father and step-mother had been bad if Harry was doubting whether she would want him around.
"You don't know until you ask." He got to his feet. "Call me, let me know how you both are. Ok?"
Harry nodded.
"Ok."
"Ok." Harry got to his feet turning to the room where Ruth was being nursed. He sighed heavily before pushing the door open to see her sat wearing a hospital gown staring into space. Graham watched for a moment before turning to leave. Harry watched Ruth for a moment before stepping into the room.
"Ruth?"
Her eyes snapped up to his as he smiled slightly. Before he knew how his feet had carried her to him. She smiled slightly, reaching up to touch his cheek she blinked back a tear. "Hi."
"Hello." He smiled at her as she let him pull her into his arms. In that brief moment he knew they were going to be ok.
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