Lies
Ruth hurried along the pavement, ignoring the drizzle that had descended on central London. She had to get to the nursery school. Poor Gracie was waiting for her. Sighing heavily she debated whether to take her daughter straight home or back to the Grid. At least there she reasoned Mike was on hand to check her over if necessary. She reached the metal gates as a hand was placed over her mouth and her body held in a Vice like grip. Ruth struggled as she was lifted off her feet before the chemical on the rag being held over her mouth and nose took effect sending her into the darkness.
Xxxxxx
Harry stepped onto the Grid slightly relieved that Tariq was beginning to show signs of improving when he noticed Ros, Adam and Zoe crowded around Malcolm's computer.
"Where'd Ruth go?" Catherine asked as she stepped out of the kitchenette. Calum shrugged.
"Said school had called. Gracie spewing her guts up." Will stared at the screen. "Hi Harry."
"The school called?" Harry paused. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah. That's what Ruth said." Will narrowed his eyes; now more worried. "Why?"
"Dad has something happened to Gracie?" Catherine felt her stomach flip. Harry shook his head.
"No, your brother called to say he's got her with him. He collected her and Charlie from school as planned." He felt his pulse quicken. "I spoke to her. Over exited about some book the teacher had given them."
"Ok, so what happened?" Catherine frowned.
"I'll put a trace on all calls to Ruth's desk and mobile phone. Calum, you look for her Car on cctv." Malcolm began taking charge. Ros walked over to Harry, her voice low.
"She told me he was in Baghdad the same time you and she were." Ros spoke calmly as the colour drained from Harry's skin. "That he left her for dead on the side of a desert road."
"Yes. She had the sense to play dead." Harry tried to keep the emotion out of his voice. Ros nodded. "She also said he would finish what he started. If Cook knows Ruth is alive."
"We have to find her. He's a racist thug and bully but he's sadistic with it." Harry ran his hand over his face. "We have to find her."
"We will." Adam stared at the computer screen. "Zoe? Cmon move." He yelled as the other spook frowned before following him.
Xxxxxxx
"That was a waste of time." Zaf shoved his hands in his pockets as the November rain began to fall.
"Worth a try though." Lucas felt as deflated as Zaf. They knew they were beginning to clutch at straws. "Frank served in the army out there. He would have been around Cook at that time. We know Ruth found out about Cook's connection to the armed forces." He unlocked the car as he spoke. The rain bouncing off the metal roof still made his stomach churn. For a moment he wondered if he would always have triggers that sent him back to Russia. Before Zaf could start the engine Lucas' mobile began ringing.
"Ros?" He knew she rarely called when he was on a meet. "What?"
Xxxxxxx
Dimitri slipped back into the flat He was currently sharing with Beth and Kevin. He sighed heavily as he realised he had to leave in less that five minutes. Water running caught his attention.
"Beth? Kev?" He walked towards the sound, disturbed that neither had answered him. The bathroom door was ajar as he reached it. The form of his oldest friend clearly hunched over the sink.
"Bloody Hell!" Dimitri swore as Kevin raised his head. The bruising around his eye and bloodied nose gave Dimitri a good idea what had happened.
"Dim, I'm ok. Looks worse than it is."
"What the Hell?"
"Some macho idiots. Think it's clever to attack a drag queen. Think they worked out their mistake." Kevin paused as he saw Dimitri raise his eyebrows. "Don't look at me like that. It's happened before and it will again. Gay-bashing is the colloquial term."
"Kev."
"Put it this way. They're in A&E and I'm ere." He winked as a false eyelash was removed. Dimitri sighed heavily, remembering his friend's reputation for being the hard man. Wimps didn't make the SBS. He dreaded to think what state the homophobic idiot was in that hit him.
Xxxxxxx
Will jogged onto the Grid, a parcel under one arm as he headed towards Harry. "Stan said this came for you. He's put it through the scanner."
Harry took the parcel, opening the small padded envelope he swore before slamming his fist on the desk. A small card and two gold rings fell out of the package.
"Shit." Ros took the card. "Cook has her. I quote - I like to finish what I started." Harry picked up the wedding ring as Ros read the card. His mind full of hate and anger for the man and fear for what might have happened to Ruth,
"There's no way she'd take her wedding ring off voluntarily." Catherine felt her eyes fill with tears. Harry clutched the ring - as if it was some magical connection to his wife.
"Then I suggest we hurry up and reunite her with them." Malcolm nodded as Ros glared at the card.
"Finish What he started." She spat. "Not on my watch."
Xxxxxx
A/N anyone reading this - please review. Trying to write more like I used to.