Fire?

Beth walked around the destroyed Mosque feeling sick. She hated anything where children were involved. Knowing the man responsible for burning the Mosque down was almost certainly the same person responsible for the attack on Tariq just made her more angry. Erin crossed the burned out building towards her as she tried not to think of her friend who was still on a life support machine.

"Fire guys say the fire was caused by petrol." Erin stated sadly. "Ashra Latif."

"What?" Beth frowned.

"The name of the youngest victim. They were here for Friday prayers. Her, her grandfather and mother and twelve year old sister." Erin paused. "Just a couple of years younger than my Rosie."

"Bit close to home, yeah?" Beth looked around as the Inam approached them. He shook his head sadly. It was clear the pensioner was on the verge of tears.

"Hello." Erin turned to the old man as he approached them. Beth smiled as he held out his hand to her.

"The police say you need to speak to me? That this might be more than mere vandals." He took Beth's hand. "I know Masood's boy is in hospital because of some thugs."

"Yes." Erin explained. "You know the Masood family?"

The older man nodded. "Yes, yes. I knew his grandfather. Tariq came to Mosque regularly before he went to University. As with lots of young people he now only comes when he feels compelled to. Ramadan and the like." He sighed. "Many keep their faith, but I am not naïve. I understand modern life gets in the way." He ushered both of them in to the small annex just off the side of the burned out mosque. Beth stepped ahead as Erin looked around the burned out shell.

"Is there anyone who has been causing problems?" Erin asked. The old man sighed sadly. He was on the verge of tears as he sat down.

"You are intelligent people. Since the scum that dare to take our religion and twist it to their own evil ends every Mosque I know of has been subjected to suspicion and hate. Islamophobia is real and very dangerous." He paused. "Do you think this is religiously motivated?"

Beth and Erin looked at each other. Neither of them wanted to cause the older man any further upset. He wiped his eyes. "I am sorry. I just keep thinking of that little girl and her mother. You know Shobnam is in hospital? In the burn ward." Beth nodded. She knew what the older man felt, the thought of a child coming to harm due to the deranged man made her feel sick to her stomach.

"It may be. We are investigating all angles." Erin answered just as Beth's mobile began ringing.

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"Cook was in Iraq the same time as you?" Adam asked as Ruth sat at her desk. The Grid was a hive of activity as she pressed a few keys on the computer. She nodded as Adam shifted in his seat. "Ros wants me to stay on the Grid."

"No, Ros wants you to go back to hospital and stop putting your life at risk." Ruth frowned as she began to work on the file in front of her. He smiled slightly, knowing she cared about him. He looked out over the Grid, his eyes resting on Tariq's abandoned desk.

"Has anyone been through his files?"

"Of course." Ruth paused. "Malcolm and I did. There's nothing on there to suggest he was up to anything he shouldn't be. Now if I was to go through your computer." Adam raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence.

"You'd find nothing."

"Apart from silly YouTube videos no doubt." She smiled. Adam looked affronted.

"I'm 41 not 15!"

"Oh hit a nerve." Ros smirked as she crossed the room to them. Ruth looked up.

"Cook entered the country on a fake passport." Ruth spoke as Ros folded her arms. "CCTV picked him up at Heathrow, 0955 flight from Denmark."

"What was he doing in Denmark?" Adam frowned.

"I'm more concerned with what he's doing here. We know Parkinson and his friends are out on licence. We know they should have no connection to Cook but they apparently do." She frowned. "We also know they are guilty as sin when it comes to the petrol bomb at the Mosque and if I was to bet I'd put money on them attacking Tariq." The venom dripped off her words. Adam nodded slightly in agreement.

"Where's Lucas?"

"With Zaf. Meeting an asset." Ros replied. "You have two choices Adam."

"Go on." He glanced at Ruth who had already returned to her work. He knew she was upset, Tariq was no longer the youngest but he was still very much the baby of the group. No one had ever fallen out with him, no one ever had a bad word to say about the Grid's baby geek.

"Hospital or Med Bay. You return to work when Mike says that you are fit. I am not having your death on my conscious." She stated firmly. "Not again." She whispered as he walked away.

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The grey skies threatened rain as Harry crossed the hospital car park towards the main entrance of the hospital. He had wanted to speak to Tariq's father in person, knowing that he would feel disrespectful if he had just called him. He passed the small hospital shop at the entrance, not needing to buy any sweets or drinks.

"Harry." Masood smiled slightly as he crossed towards his son's boss. "I didn't expect you to visit again."

"I'm not intruding am I?"

"No not at all. I just came out to talk to my wife. She's at home but Dimitri offered to collect her later. She isn't coping well with this." He fell into step beside Harry. "Please tell me you have more news? That the man who did this is in prison. Or Allah forgive me, dead."

"I cant tell you that." Harry paused. "But we are confident we will catch them. There have been other attacks they are responsible for. How is he?"

Masood sighed, glancing towards a row of chairs nailed to the floor. Harry followed quietly, deep in thought. He knew a little of what the other man was feeling. He remembered seeing Catherine in Intensive Care in an Israeli hospital and Graham fighting for his life. He had no idea how he would cope should something happen to one of the children, especially Grace and Nick. The thought made his stomach churn.

"Masood?" Harry sat on the metal chair next to him.

"They did tests to see if his brain is functioning. Did you know he has a donor card?"

"Yes." Harry nodded.

"Well, he's a good boy. Always has been. He's getting stronger. They've taken him off some of the stronger meds. The ones that keep him sedated. With any luck, if the next set of blood tests are good. If the doctor is happy with them they are going to move him from ITU to High Care. It's basically the same but without the respirator on him."

Harry smiled slightly, it was the news he needed. The little ray of sunshine that was needed to keep the team going. He knew they were all angry and heartbroken that it had been Tariq that had been targeted.

"That's good news."

"It is. Its a step in the right direction."

"Yes." Harry agreed. "If there is anything. You know where we are. The rehab, any further care he needs the Service will pay for. You know that. Even if its just someone to mind the younger ones for you and your wife to be here."

Masood nodded.

"Beth and Dimitri have already volunteered as babysitters and taxi drivers already." He watched as Harry contemplated his words. He knew his team were close, in many respects Section D was the family most of them had never had. He got to his feet as Masood spoke. Shaking the other man's hand he promised that Tariq would be well looked after before leaving the hospital, hoping that the others would have good news on his return.

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