Many thanks to my kind reviewers. Finally the next chapter has landed. Hope you are all still safe wherever you might be.

Warning for the delicate of mind: some crudity in this chapter.

Unexpected actions and announcements have consequences. In this instance Malcolm's bombshell was responsible for producing a silence in which the sound of a pin dropping would have assumed the proportions of a demolished tower block crashing to the ground. It was however significant that no one challenged the veracity of his statement. The silence owed nothing to shock, planned murders, the prevention and occasional organisation of, being a not unfamiliar feature in the daily round and common task of Secret Service employees. The hush in fact was due to the team members each processing, in their individual ways, the introduction of this new complication into the existing cat's cradle of schemes. Harry alone, having had prior notice of the revelation, was able to enjoy the luxury of leaning back while waiting to see who was going to speak first. His private bet was Ros, so it was fortunate that he rarely patronised the bookies when it was Adam who quietly asked, "How?"

Malcolm thus abjured had to admit to ignorance on this essential point, "Sorry no Intel as they moved out of recording distance." A statement that forced Adam to turn to Ros, hoping his reluctance to do so was concealed, "Ros any ideas since you've the most recent knowledge about this character?"

If Ros was gratified by being regarded as the guru of uncle's machinations she also hid her thoughts well as she responded icily, "Sorry, he's got such a revolting history it could be any method."

Ruth having been considering the matter cleared her throat tentatively, drawing the stares of the assembled and forcing Harry to utter a one word enquiry. "Ruth?"

Ruth answered promptly "Perhaps we can use elimination to decide the most likely possibility." A statement that was met with wrinkled brows and even a snort from Danny, before Harry intervening encouraged her, "Continue Ruth."

Having been granted permission by Mr High and Mighty Ruth revealed the first step in her reasoning. "Well uncle wants Ali to marry Zahra, which is why Aaisha has to be removed." Challenging the group she checked, "Are we agreed so far?"

Zoe nodding said "Yes but…"

Ruth didn't allow Zoe time to voice her reservations, "So he needs to make it look like unfortunate accident."

A further hesitant 'Yes..." emanated from Danny's corner while Harry, beginning to have an inkling of Ruth's train of thought, remained silent.

"That narrows down the options. We're in private secure premises so he can't instigate stabbing, shooting or strangling since Ali knows what he's like and will suspect. Which leaves the most likely possibilities being either food poisoning or an accident."

Ros who'd been following attentively interrupted, "As the hotel could prove that the food wasn't the problem I think you can rule out the latter as an option."

Harry thought it might be interesting to see how Ruth reacted to this since he had detected an undertow of jealousy from his beloved, who seemed to be under the inaccurate impression that he was interested in Ros – not that he wasn't, but only as a very good potential addition to Section D. Unfortunately given what had taken place between himself and Ruth, the last female member to be appointed to a senior position in the Section, it would be almost mission impossible to disabuse her of the notion that he exerted a form of droit de seigneur on his female staff. Learning through his mistakes he now rarely became personally involved with women in the service but the shadow of Elena Gavrick, and the even longer one of Julia Shaw, had made for juicy gossip in the Ladies. A couple of years ago when bugging that area for a suspected double agent he'd been forced to listen to several hours of these ill informed gigglings. Although that part of the operation had proved a failure, the only Intel garnered being way too much information about the troubles pertaining to the female physiology along with comments regarding the relative size and performance of the male members of various male members of staff. Comments which ever since that had made his meetings with certain colleagues something of a trial. It was difficult to take seriously the reports on national security when delivered by someone characterised as 'a wilting Willy' or the subject of a complaint that 'he farts when he fucks', especially if seated beside the individual whose underwear of choice allegedly included fluorescent jockstraps.

Ruth without missing a beat acknowledged Ros' intervention, "Yes I'd agree with that, so an accident then, as a result of which uncle appeals to a grief stricken Ali on the grounds of his father's frailty and the urgent need to make a suitable marriage to ensure the stability of the province."

Zoe objected, "But why would Ali agree, wouldn't it seem a betrayal of Aaisha?"

Harry accepting this romantic reasoning on personal grounds also could understand why Ali might refute it. "Yes but do remember that he has a great liking for Zahra and that she also shares his liberal ideals," While Zoe still seemed unconvinced Harry decided to continue in his defence of Ruth's arguments. "Ali is very conscious of his duty to his father and he might well agree, not only does Zahra share some of his views, politically it also saves her from being forced into an unsavoury marriage elsewhere with a potential troublemaker." Adding as a not entirely disingenuous afterthought. "He wouldn't be the first person to set aside his own affections in the interests of the state."

Ruth's quick stare suggesting that this was home hit was also noticed by Ros who, while filing it away for later mulling, added, "So we need to watch Aaisha carefully to avoid her coming to harm, which I don't think can be done without warning Ali and Faizan."

Danny weighed in with an objection, "But they will want to know how Ruth knows – can we risk her cover story?" As the same idea had also occurred to the rest of the group no one was about to contradict the obvious.

The silence grew, until Malcolm having given the matter some thought proceeded to make a sound like "Ahem." Startling everyone and producing Harry's trademark glare, "You have some further information?"

Malcolm had worked with Harry too long to be intimidated as he informed his irascible superior and the troops. "It's just possible they might already have worked out that Ruth and Harry aren't quite as they present."

One or two mouths began to drop, especially those of Zoe and Danny, while Harry contented himself with "Go on…"

"I'm not sure but earlier today they were talking and the discussion worked around to Ruth and Harry at which stage Faizan suggested they might all like a nice walk outside." Adding, "I didn't have accurate visuals due to their placing but Aaisha seemed reluctant and was almost marched out."

Ruth nodded "She would be – Aisha is not one for the beauties of nature – she's more of an urban creature."

Zoe sounded aghast "Seriously. And she's marrying someone who lives out the wide spaces of Pakistan!"

Ros in her best school mistress tone chimed in, "Actually the province boasts a large town, a very luxurious palace and a private airfield, so plenty of chances to fly off for retail therapy, and Ali's loaded."

Harry interrupted sharply seeing Ruth was about to launch into a defence of Aaisha,"Ros please – so Malcolm thanks. I think the best option is for Ruth to advise Ali and Aaisha – and if necessary admit our true role."

With the entire party of spooks suddenly staring at him as if he'd lost his mind Harry hastened to reassure them in incisive terms. "They have the same objective as us so I think it is a calculated risk we might have to take. Blame, if needed, will of course attributed to me."

Ruth gathering herself stood up, "Very well. No time like the present." As she swung out the room Harry turned to Malcolm, "Malcolm set up the laptops so we can all listen and watch –"

By the time Ruth was being ushered into Aaisha's suite and Aisha had summoned Ali and Faizan at Ruth's' insistence, the colleagues were all squashed around the two laptops waiting for the floor show. The first part of which was more than a little dull as it basically consisted of Ruth repeating what they already knew, with only the odd squeak to be heard from Aaisha. As the tale terminated Danny felt a glow of justification as his predicted question was asked by Ali,

"How do you know this Ruth?"

"Harry has contacts." It was Aaisha trading on the privilege of old friends who commented,

"Come on Ruth – are you really attached to the Foreign Office?" leaving Ruth to temper the previous story with, "Let's just say I work for the government." Further interrogation being forestalled by Ali, who having made no contribution was now enquiring, "Ruth I'm wondering – the plan to extract Zahra – perhaps we should alter it to suit the new circumstances"

A suggestion that had Aaisha screaming at a decibel level of such intensity it forced Adam and Danny into the temporary removal of their headsets. "What – you can't let Zahra down and.." only for Ali to interrupt the potential diatribe with a touch of impatience, "No of course not – but I'm wondering if instead of saying I've changed my mind we fall in with my uncle's plan."

Ruth's understandably puzzled response could be heard, "I don't quite understand." A rarity for her, although she was speaking for those listening in as well.

Ali then produced the statement that created gasps in the spook suite, "Ruth it's really quite simple – we let them kill Aaisha."

Thanks for reading - if you have a moment a review would be appreciated. Take care everyone