Back on The Grid…..
"Harry, we have to give them the Mossad officer, we have to!" pleads Ruth, red eyed and distraught
As the realisation of the situation dawns on Harry he slumps into his chair looking utterly defeated.
"Harry!" pleads Ruth again
"If we hand over the Mossad officer Ruth, we will lose our chance of rescuing those Americans and our relationship with our biggest ally will be seriously jeopardised" interrupts Malcolm in the most diplomatic and sympathetic voice he can muster
"What would they have us do!" shouts Ruth
"She's right" adds Dmitri "Would America really expect us to put the lives of a plane full of Brits at risk for the sake of five Americans?"
Harry raises his eyebrows and it is obvious to everyone around the table that is exactly what Harry thinks the Americans would expect.
Harry tasks Malcolm and Tariq with setting up a line of communication with the pilot of the ill-fated plane whilst sending Dmitri off across the river for one last attempt at extracting information from the Mossad officer. His hope is, that now he knows Mahslaha and Mossad want him back he'll spill the beans.
Meanwhile Harry takes Ruth by the hand and leads her into his office, closing the door behind them and shutting the blinds he perches on the corner of his desk as Ruth frantically paces the room.
"Ruth, we don't know the full extent of Mahslaha's plans yet. Let us wait for their next communication before fearing the worst" Harry reasons
"What do you think they'll do Harry? They'll blow it up if they don't get their way. It's all these people know how to do! Don't let my Mum die Harry, please" sobs Ruth
Harry reaches for her, unsure if she would let him hold her when her Mum's fate lies in his hands, but she does. She lets go and falls into his arms, holding onto him for dear life she cries like she's never cried before. Harry rubs her back in comfort as Ruth sobs into his shoulder, his heart breaking for her.
Friday 18.56
In the meeting room Harry, Malcolm, Tariq and Ruth are awaiting further instruction. Dmitri is still across the river. The screen flickers to an image of two hooded men holding guns to the heads of two hapless looking pilots before switching back to the room with the flag and the captured Americans. The hooded man on the screen addresses the camera.
"As you can see flight 738 is under our control. We will fly it into London Gatwick as scheduled and you will bring the Mossad officer onto the tarmac to meet the plane when it arrives. We will send out an operative to collect him and once he is on the plane we will let the passengers go. We will then leave with the passengers bound for Tel Aviv. If at any time you try and intercept us we will detonate the bomb hidden within the plane. You have our demands, they are non-negotiable."
Friday 20.00
"I don't bloody care about our relations with America at the moment Home Secretary!" yells a frustrated Harry at a bewildered Towers, "we've got forty five minutes to deliver a treacherous Mossad officer back to them or a plane load of Brits will be blown up on the tarmac at Gatwick Airport!"
Back on The Grid Ruth is in complete meltdown, there is nothing anyone can do for her.
Dmitri, Malcolm and Tariq are no closer to resolving the situation and the clock is ticking.
"What are the CIA doing, that's what I want to know?" continues Harry at the Home Office. "Let this Mossad officer go back to Israel, let the CIA do their job and track him back to Tel Aviv. Hopefully he will lead us straight to the hostages. We have to take this risk Home Secretary and if it means a slight dent appears in our relationship with America, so be it."
With forty five minutes before the plane is due to land Harry leaves the Home Secretary alone to call Downing Street.
Need some fluff!