Flannel

Beth felt her stomach churn as she retrieved and checked the gun she had hidden under her jacket. She knew Sarah was an ex spook and more than able to take care of herself. The woman had survived wrongful imprisonment, Beth was pretty sure that her friend would be fine. It was more Henry that was worrying her. The old man wasn't as strong as he had been, the frailty was covered by bravado but it was still there. Carefully making her way up the stairs she hoped the gut instinct she had been fighting was wrong.

Xxxxx

"Ruth." Harry spoke calmly as her hand rested against the door frame. Alec had stormed off moments earlier, leaving when he had feared a domestic was brewing. Ruth closed her eyes as the word reached her. He was so close behind her that she could feel his breath on her neck.

"He was murdered. In cold blood."

She was glad the office blinds were closed as Harry gently turned her towards him. His eyes held hers for a moment as she composed herself.

"I know."

"It was the way Mani intended on killing me. If Ros and Lucas hadn't appeared when they did. There's no way he could have yelled for help. No way he could have fought back."

Harry nodded, he still had nightmares about Ruth being killed in front of him. It was his biggest fear- one which had almost come to fruition more than once. Ruth took a steadying breath. He wiped a tear away gently from her cheek as he realised Ruth was not only mourning the death of a young man but also reliving the memories around her return to the UK. To him. Ruth swallowed hard before letting him pull her into his arms. She buried her face in his chest, her tears ruining his shirt as he kissed her hair. He knew they were running out of time, people had died, Lucas was in surgery and there was a chance Sarah and Henry were in danger. He held Ruth a little tighter knowing he was lucky not to be in Malcolm's shoes.

Xxxxd

Beth checked the spare bedroom as she heard Malcolm call her name. "It's all ok, Beth! Elizabeth!" She stepped back as Malcolm jogged up the carpeted stairs. "I spoke with Sarah. She's out with the dogs. Will be home shortly."

"Thank God. Bodies and Doyle May probably saved her life." Beth watched as Malcolm looked on the verge of a panic attack. "Where's Henry?"

"On his way back to Newcastle." Malcolm explained. He caught the train. Sarah put him in there and his son, Jack will meet him there."

"So? Why target this place? Malcolm?"

"I am at a loss."

"And I am not a newbie. I know you. Harry, you, Adam and Ros have enough secrets and skeletons to start your own cemetery." Beth folded her arms as Malcolm calmed. "Don't hide whatever this is."

"Elizabeth, this case has made me believe my oldest friend was murdered, another is in hospital and I've just had to face the prospect of my wife and family being murdered." He slumped on the sofa. Beth felt instantly sorry.

"Family?"

"Sarah, Bodie and Doyle."

Beth smiled. It was well known the Staffordshire Bull Terriers were surrogate babies to Sarah. She ran a hand through her blonde hair.

"Ok, right. So Henry is fine. Sarah and the dogs are fine. Who's Blood is on the hall carpet?"

Xxxxxxx

Ros fed loose change into the coffee machine outside the hospital canteen. She hated the place. Hospitals meant pain, sickness and vulnerability. All things she wasn't naturally attuned to. Memories of Amy being treated for meningitis, Lucas battered and Ruth in surgery as she waited with Harry turned her stomach. The luke warm coffee hit the paper cup as she forced herself to concentrate on the present. Lucas was alive, currently in the Recovery unit as he woke from the anaesthetic. His legs had been rebroken and set, the wounds and burns cleared and dressed. He was out of action for a while but he was alive. She focused on the fact she wasn't a widow. Her kids still had their dad. It didn't alter the fact Lucas had been certain the junior security guard had set him up. She knew Harry would've scoffed but she knew Lucas was right. Carrying the coffee outside she pulled her mobile phone from her pocket only to see Adam, Zaf and Ruth had been trying to contact her. Pressing the speed dial for Adam's number. He answered on the third ring.

"What?"

"Ros. Get back here."

"Sit rep now." She headed towards the car park. "Adam, no flannel, get to the point."

She listened intently as Adam explained what she had missed. Seething silently she knew finding Lee was the key to working out what was going on. She just hoped no one else died while they were stumbling around in the dark.

Xxxxxx

A/N blatant begging for reviews xx