14

Harry walked back along the Embankment as he thought about what the Home Secretary had said to him. He knew she was right, as Home Secretary she should have been told about the Queen's second cousin turning up at Havensworth. He was relieved his team had got them out of the hostage situation with minimal casualties. He knew Ros had saved Ruth's life, he had no idea how he was going to get the image of a burly man in a balaclava holding a gun to Ruth's head out of his mind. He knew it was going to be a new addition to his nightmares for the foreseeable future. He shoved his hands in his pockets as he realised he had walked towards the hospital where Will was being cared for. Guilt suddenly flooded him as he realised he had also basically ignored the fact his godson was in hospital. Sighing he headed into the building and towards the ward Will was being nursed on.

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"Sit down." Ros spoke calmly as she looked at the Prince glared at her. He narrowed his eyes as Adam nodded towards the chair. He had instantly taken a dislike to the older man. To him Prince Bertram of Windsor was a pompous self opinionated, egotistical, sexist pig who he knew had met his match with Ros. He knew he would enjoy Ros taking him down a peg or two.

"I want to talk to the man in charge."

"I am the man in charge." Ros smiled slightly. "Now, today my officers risked their lives trying to make sure the likes of you survived what can only be described as an ambush."

"One which was meant for you." Adam added.

"I will not be spoken to like that."

"Well, you just have been." Adam smirked as Ros narrowed her eyes. "Someone clearly wanted you dead. You are alive because of the expertise of Section D."

"Who made the decision to keep your attendance a secret from those who were running security?" Ros paused. "You or that excuse for a bodyguard."

"I didn't want media attention." Bertram huffed.

Ros raised one eyebrow. "Has the concept of secret service completely missed you? Did they not teach it at Eton? I mean, the clue is in the name. Ministry of Intelligence - British Secret Services." Ros held his gaze. The Prince turned a shade of red she wasn't sure was healthy in a man of his age. It was then she noticed the yellowing of his eyes, his liver had clearly been damaged by years of alcohol abuse. She paused for a moment.

"It was my intention to slip in and out unnoticed." Bertram huffed. "I am a clear supporter of all things environmental. The world as we know it is."

"Save me the media pitch." Ros narrowed her eyes. "You were there and you wanted it kept quiet. You deliberately allowed my team to be kept in the dark. Then, your Highness." Her voice dripped in sarcasm. "You almost had three of my officers killed."

"Not exactly my finest moment."

"I dare say." Ros glared.

"Anyone threatened you?" Adam asked.

"Only about every few hours." He huffed. "Really, when you are in my position."

"You take all the protection you can get." Ros spat. "My team were there to make sure the Climate Change Conference went ahead. You being there put paid to that. Why would four Eastern block gunmen want you dead? The name Yannis Dennisof mean anything? No?" Ruth paused as the prince glared at her. "Katya Dennisof mean anything to you?"

Adam smirked as the penny seemed to finally drop. The prince closed his eyes as Ros pushed the photograph of him and the young Russian socialite towards him. "Were you aware you are having a relationship with the daughter of a Russian terrorist?" Ros asked sweetly knowing that she had finally hit the nerve she had been aiming at.

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"Harry." Will coughed as the older man walked into the hospital room. "Didn't think I'd see you here."

"I promised your dad I'd keep an eye on you." Harry watched the younger man cough violently before handing him a glass of water. "I spoke to Sarah."

"Oh." Will paused. "What did she say? I told her not to tell you anything. I'd say in my own time."

Harry frowned, he hated seeing the young man he considered to be a nephew unwell. He knew Will hadn't had the easiest childhood having lost his dad at such a young age and his mum a few years later. Sighing he knew there had been nothing he could have done to prevent the loss of his mum but Bill was a different matter. He would always blame himself for not being fast enough when his best friend had been shot. He ran a hand over his face as he watched the younger man compose himself.

"Will."

"Doc says I'm on the mend. Blood tests looking more normal."

"That's good." Harry paused. "What was Sarah not supposed to tell me?" He looked Will straight in the eye. He knew he was unable to lie to his godfather, never had been able to. Will sighed heavily.

"Its pneumonia. Bad bout of it apparently."

"I guessed that bit."

"I." Will sighed. "I am immunosuppressed at the moment. It'll improve. They've started me on new tablets. Going to have to take them for the rest of my life."

"I see."

"Doesn't." He paused to catch his breath. "Stop my ability to do my job."

"Never said it would." Harry watched.

"Its HIV."

"OK." Harry felt sick, knowing that at one time the virus was a death sentence. He had lived through the days when the virus was feared, described as the 'gay plague' by homophobic idiots who wanted to blame and frighten people. He watched Will's eyes fill with fear. "Get over this pneumonia. Get yourself back to full fitness."

"Of course."

"Pass the return to work medical. Same as Lucas did, same as Adam did after he had Covid. Then you return to work. If you want to and if you pass the medical. You don't set foot on the Grid until Mike passes you as fit for work."

"I want to."

"Then get yourself fit." Harry watched as Will laid back on his pillow sighing in relief. "We need all hands on deck."

"Yes Boss." Harry got to his feet, leaving his godson to think about what he had said.

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"Ruth." Catherine practically marched over the Grid to her stepmother. Ruth turned to see her carrying an armful of magazines.

"What is it?"

"Katya." Catherine put the magazines on the desk in front of Dimitri who pushed his chair back from his desk. "Is in every edition of these magazines over the last six months. Before then it is almost like the girl didn't exist."

"You said she got her degree in London." Dimitri looked up at both women.

"But then vanished, apparently back to Russia." Catherine paused. "Where she became an undercover officer for the FSB."

"Well done." Ruth smiled at her, genuinely proud of her protege. "I'll get this to Ros and Adam. Looks like we have finally got a breakthrough." She smiled before heading to the Pods. She stepped back as she realised Harry was the other side.

"What have I missed?" Harry asked as Ruth squeezed his arm.

"Ask Catherine. I think she has just found the missing piece we needed."

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