Hidden message

Ruth read the note Zoe had given her. The name of Rana's Ex boyfriend and a set of numbers in red ink seemed to almost taunt her. "Steven Cook. Nephew of the scumbag we are chasing." Calum shook his head as Erin scowled.

"So? How do we prove Rana is the link?" Erin asked.

"We don't. Because she isn't. Not intentionally at least." Ruth paused. "Calum, ever heard the phrase pillow talk?"

"Now you are being disgusting." Calum pulled a face. "I do not need to know what you and my father in law consider pillow talk." Ruth rolled her eyes, blushing slightly.

"I think he used Rana to get information." Ruth paused. "Ask her. I think she's either lying about being followed or it was her ex. I think Parkinson and his friends attacked Ishmael and Tariq because they were told to. It's not the first time Tariq or Zaf have encountered violence due to racism. I did some digging in the CIA log. Zaf and Will weren't followed by them. It was false plates. So we were led to think there could be an American connection." Ruth began warming to her theme. "What if?"

"What?" Zaf asked as he joined them. Ruth began pacing the room , a habit she had unconsciously got from her husband. Zaf and Erin exchanged glances.

"I'm probably wrong."

"I'd bet money on you not being wrong." Calum frowned.

"Looking at what we know about Rana I don't think she's maliciously done it. She may have been blackmailed? Her background check didn't show anything concerning." Ruth paused.

"Neither did any of the other traitors we've faced." Erin folded her arms. Ruth nodded.

"It was too clean. Private education, English degree from York. First library job at the museum in York. Not so much as a Grandad with a parking ticket." Ruth headed towards the computer. "I missed it. I'm an idiot."

"Missed what?" Zaf asked, clearly amused.

"Don't know until I find it. Calum check on Tariq, Erin contact Ros and pull Rana's Ex in. Zaf?"

"Boss." He smiled as she raised an eyebrow.

"Be careful and find out how Beth is."

Xxxxxxxx

Dimitri shook slightly as he saw the paramedics lift Beth onto a stretcher. She looked awful, her head bleeding as her ankle was secured in a fracture pack. Harry tapped him on the back.

"She's alive."

"Yes Sir." Dimitri seemed to be more shocked than Beth did. He smiled slightly as Harry's words sunk in. "Go with her. She's going to need you." He ushered the young man towards the ambulance . It was only when both officers were safely inside the ambulance and on the way to the hospital that he let his anger show.

"Lucas." He hissed. "There appears to be a startling similarity between this and past events."

Lucas nodded, remaining silent. Memories of Ros trapped beneath the rubble and masonry of the burned out hotel hit him. He knew what Dimitri was feeling.

"History repeating itself." Lucas glared at the burned out building. "Ros."

"Not again." Harry stared at the building as he spoke. "Erin has detained Rana. It's time we found out who and what this is all about."

Xxxxxxxx

Ros stood in the doorway of her son's bedroom watching the three year old boy sleep. She was exhausted and envied the way both her children were able to sleep peacefully whereas she was plagued by nightmares.

"Hey." She felt Lucas' breath on her neck as his arms wrapped around her waist.

"He's ok. Amy is already in bed." Ros sighed.

"Dimitri called. Beth is being kept in for observation. She's concussed with a nasty wound to her ankle." He held her a little tighter. Ros sighed. "An Interpol warrant has been issued for Steven Cook."

"I know."

"Ros."

"I want to interview him." Ros leant her head back against his chest. "Why is it happening again? This isn't Nightingale. Ruth is right. They know who we are and what we've been through. Attacking Tariq, abducting Ruth now the hotel explosion. What are they trying to distract us from?" She turned in his arms, his blue eyes boring into hers.

"I saw Beth brought out of there and all I could see was you." His voice was low, seductive. Ros touched his face gently. "Ros, I."

"I know." She felt his lips on hers before she took his hand and led him to their bedroom.

Xxxxxxxx