Thanks to those who read and again grateful thanks to those who reviewed.

This chapter is ostensibly about Christine Dale although I suspect it might strike a chord with those readers subject to the demands of an unengaged management.

Christine Dale stormed into her apartment in a blind fury. When appointed to her current post she'd been delighted, regarding this as good promotion. Now, after days like today, of which she'd recently experienced several, she was seriously wondering whether she'd been appointed as an act of unadmitted revenge, and if so, who exactly she'd offended so bitterly that she'd ended up impaled on the bed of nails that was MI5 liaison –with particular reference to the machinations of Section D.

The slamming of her front door relieved her anger not one whit. Heading into the kitchen she switched on the coffee machine with a vicious jab. While she waited for it produce an acceptable drink she occupied her time fantasising about the email she would like to dispatch to Langley.

Dear Sat on Your Butt doing Sweet FA Director Coaver

Thanks for landing me with this situation. As an old drinking buddy of Harry Pearce's you should be well aware that nothing gets out of Section D unless he's sanctioned the leak. This is no doubt a result of his engrained Cold War reticence. I doubt it's personal since he also gives his own official superiors the run around, still, the man is, in my opinion, a total nightmare to deal with. Consequently any attempt to find out what is happening about Mary Kane is akin to trying to plait smoke. In an effort to discover what is going on I visited the section, ostensibly to talk to Tessa Phillips about another case, knowing that the poisonous bitch really thinks she should have Harry's job and would be delighted to drop him in the shit. Unfortunately all the other staff in the know were lurking around, so nothing doing. Not even Tessa dared break ranks when half the beady eyes in Section D were fixed upon us.

As the original information about Mary Kane had come from the Home Office via Special Branch I tried my pumping contacts with the latter, again nothing doing! Section D has taken over the case and no one fancies getting on the wrong side of H Pearce, re-knowned for doing his own very very dirty work when crossed. With his obstructionist attitude it amazes me he was ever promoted. I swear - frequently where he is concerned - that he glories in his reputation of being a tricky bastard. I'm even more astonished by what he gets away with. Honestly you have to around that nut house to believe it. If it's male it's terrified of him, and if wears a skirt it fancies him. Don't see it myself, he might have been love's young dream once upon a time for someone, but now he's over forty and arrogant with it. He's also bald, overweight and possessed of even less charm than a snorting bull on the rampage.

While I'm on the subject of the Section D males thanks ever so much for ruining any chance I had of getting on better terms with Tom Quinn. Yes, you don't need to tell me. I know inter agency liaisons are not a good idea but he's gorgeous, intelligent and knows what I do, so for once I don't have to hide behind a legend. I can't help my hormones jiggling around whenever he's in view. News flash Jim boy it's the twenty first century and women are allowed to admit to proactive desires in the bedroom stakes. The fact is I fancy Tom Quinn like mad and having to push a line guaranteed to annoy him isn't helping me to establish any form of Transatlantic partnership.

Don't worry I've not gone rogue. Having tried everything else I called up the aforementioned Quinn, for purely professional reasons I assure you, and took him for short walkies outside Thames House. By the time I'd informed him that he'd have to give in and agree to what Langley are insisting upon I think he'd have liked to have shoved me into the eponymous river. I even implied that if they don't agree they'll have a diplomatic incident on their hands. Whatever the reason no one is talking, except toxic Tessa, who'd contacted me with the information that Harry has refused to sign the extradition papers on the grounds that Florida still enforces the death penalty.

Considering the number of people he's probably killed himself I find this surprising, but then I know he's not a great fan of America. Frankly I have to add that while I know the arrival of Mary back home to coincide with her husband's trip to the electric chair would be a publicity coup, having seen what that pair perpetrated in America I don't blame the Brits for wanting to hang onto her and squeeze out the Intel – would we roll over the other way around? You do realise that if they end with a bombing campaign on the UK mainland we'll have even more problems working with them, as they are bound to accuse us of hobbling their investigations. And they'd probably be right, although I would never admit to those misgivings in public.

Anyway I think I've done the best I can and in reality the buck stops not with Tom but with your old whisky swilling buddy. Can I therefore, somewhat less than politely, suggest that your get your finger out, contact the Foreign Office and make them to insist that he signs the papers, instead of leaving it to me to argue a losing toss re the decisions of that Saville Row suited, public school educated, ex army dictator.

Not so Kind Regards

Ms Dogsbody

Sighing she rejected this as utterly inappropriate. She was after all employed by the CIA and needed to retain their goodwill, along with her pay check. Harry Pearce wasn't the only one who was capable of exacting a bitter revenge, and after today she'd do well to consign Tom Quinn into the area of desires best forgotten.

Carrying her now brewed coffee as she savoured its aroma she settled herself at her desk, pulled the key board towards her, clicked on the email and typed out her update to Langley.

To Deputy Director James Coaver

From London CIA Liaison Officer Christine Dale

Dear Director Coaver

As requested I have been attempting to discover the situation relating to Mary Kane. As you are no doubt aware Mr Pearce places a great value on his officers maintaining professional secrecy and discretion at all times. All I have been able to ascertain is that although they are attempting to locate Mary Kane they have so far failed. I understand from a confidential source that they would prefer to delay the extradition until, assuming they do apprehend her, they have obtained further information from her relating to a suspected terror campaign. To that end Harry Pearce is refusing to sign the extradition papers. I have protested about this in person to the Section Chief Thomas Quinn but believe that matters might be expedited if someone more senior than myself pursued the case at a higher level.

I await your further instructions and advice on how to proceed.

Christine Dale

She carefully re-read the document to ensure that her irritation and anger had not inadvertently leaked into the wordage. Satisfied as to its acceptability she clicked the Send button. Having now shovelled the decision making back towards her so called superiors she decided that she'd had enough of today, and headed off to bed. Alone.

Thanks for reading. If you have a moment please review. The next chapter and replies to any reviews may be a little delayed as I'm away for a few days.