Ruth knocked on Harry's door.
"Yes," he called.
She slid it open.
"Harry…"
"Ah, Ruth…."
"Harry, I just wanted to say thank…."
"Never mind that, Ruth, I have something to ask you."
She said nothing.
"Are you okay, Ruth? You look a bit pale."
"Err..fine. I'm fine," she stammered, "what were you going to ask me?"
"Oh, yes…erm, dinner tonight, Ruth. Say yes."
"Yes."
"Oh, good, well, that was easy," he smiled.
She nodded.
"I'll pick you up at eight."
"Okay," she said and left.
Ruth sat at her desk and distracted herself with thoughts of what to wear that evening. She needed relief from the thoughts of dinner and if he might be preparing to ask her something.
She got no work done for the rest of the day.
Harry was on the grid talking to Dimitri about the results of his surveillance. His eyes kept flicking to Ruth's desk. Her's were never too far away.
Tariq stuck his head around the corner,
"Harry, Lucas, for you."
Harry picked up the nearest phone and waited for Tariq to patch him through.
"Lucas. How's it …..what?…..Yes. Yes…..Ruth?" he looked at her and sighed deeply, "Are you sure?...Yes, fine!"
The receiver was put down a little more roughly than necessary.
"What?" asked Ruth, feeling unsettled.
"The cell have left Bilbao and moved to Paris. Lucas has gone with them. He needs you with him, Ruth."
"Me?"
"He needs someone he can trust who speaks Arabic and French."
"But…"
"I'm sorry Ruth, you know I'd rather send someone else if I could," Harry's expression was one of frustration and disappointment. Deep, deep disappointment.
"I understand," she said, wondering which of them was, in fact, most disappointed, "When?"
"Now."
"Now?"
"Yes, as soon as we can get you on a plane."
"Okay," she nodded, and got up.
"Tariq!" Harry shouted, "I need a legend for Ruth."
Tariq nodded and Ruth followed him.
As she walked passed Harry he caught her hand briefly, "I'm sorry about tonight, Ruth."
She smiled sadly at him, "Me, too."