Truth

Zaf and Adam looked around Rana's immaculate apartment as Adam placed the last bug inside the telephone landline. Zaf wandered over to the photo on the mantle.

"Who's this?" He nodded to the picture of Rana and a young Asian girl sat on her lap.

"Dunno. But she might be the key to why Rana is tied up with all this." Adam looked at the little girl; realising the child was roughly the same age as his own daughter. He slipped the photo into his jacket pocket, knowing that they had to talk to Rana about it.

Xxxxx

Ruth walked into the interview room as Rana sat with her head in her hands. Dark hair hiding her face as Ruth sat in front of her.

"We know you are the link."

"I was followed. I thought some perv was trying to scare me." Rana's voice shook. Ruth nodded.

"I know and I believe you." Ruth sat there as Rana looked out from underneath her hair. "I walked through that park once late at night. I was convinced I was being followed. Turns out I was right." Ruth shook her head at the memory. "I was terrified. But you knew that. I reported it. Four years ago. It was Sasha Gavrik, tried to kill me when I was pregnant."

"I didn't know."

"You are the custodian of all the records. It would be easily achievable for you to read any of them." Ruth kept her voice low and calm. "You can see why you'd be a person of interest."

"Yeah. I get why you lot think I'm worth interviewing. But I've not done anything wrong."

Ruth nodded sympathetically. "Rana. Where is he? Your ex? Where has he taken your little girl?" Rana's eyes widened. "He's not her father, is he? Steven."

"No, no he's not." She paused. "He's dead."

"Where is she?" Ruth knew how heartbroken she would be should one of her children or stepchildren be targeted. Rana took a deep breath.

"I don't know." Rana paused.

"How old is Francesca? Three?"

Rana nodded. "Yeah. When Raquesh died it was just me and her. She stays with my gran when I'm in Work. How do you know about her? I've kept her safe! I've kept her away from all this at Thames House."

Ruth nodded. "The same way as you knew about us. Investigation. You are being forced to tell Steven and the others about Section D. About what we do and about our history. What did Tariq ever do to you? Why would you sell him out?"

"I didn't! I swear!" Ruth raised an eyebrow, the same way she did when Nico was trying to persuade her that he wasn't in trouble.

"I thought he was going to kill me." Ruth looked off into the distance. "I can't imagine how terrified I'd be if my children were in danger. I know I'd be doing everything possible to get my babies home." Ruth looked her in the eyes. "We've torn up your apartment. Adam found the photo of you and your daughter."

"He'll kill her." Rana's voice shook. "If I help you. He'll kill her."

"Not if we get to him. We can stop this." Ruth paused. "We can get your little girl home and we can stop this." Rana fell forward, sobbing in Ruth's arms. Ruth hugged her, waiting for her to settle while Catherine and Harry watched through the two way mirror of the interview room. Harry paused as Catherine closed her eyes.

"Dad. She's as much a victim as Tariq and the others." Catherine wiped her eyes. Harry nodded.

"This ends." Harry turned before walking away - knowing Rana had only tried to protect her child. Just as he had tried to protect Ruth years earlier.

Xxxxx

Ros walked across the Grid as Lucas and Will stared at the computer on Malcolm's desk. She frowned slightly as she realised what they were looking at.

"We missed it." Lucas looked up to see her approach them.

"What?"

"The bomber." Will frowned. His ribs burned with each breath but he wasn't about to show his senior officers that he was struggling with pain.

"It was Steven Cook." Malcolm stared at the screen. "Along with a certain Mr Parkinson. You can see them enter the building twenty five minutes prior to the explosion. I've taken the liberty of going through the cctv."

Ros nodded. She had known that Malcolm would never let any attack on one of his team go. He adored the younger members of Section D and treated both Tariq and Beth as if they were family.

"And?"

"And." They turned to see Ruth and Harry return to the Grid. Harry looked furious while it was clear Ruth had been crying. She kept her eyes down as she headed towards her own workstation.

"And Erin has gone with Calum to see what intelligence the CIA may have." Will explained. "Dimitri is collecting Beth from the hospital. Alec has gone to see an asset."

"Juliet no doubt." Harry mumbled under his breath. "Recall everyone. Zoe - I want you to go through this file." He handed her a thick dossier.

"Rana's personal file? We've gone through this."

"That's the unedited version." Ruth sighed. "I knew we were missing something. Rana isn't a traitor."

"Then What is she?" Zoe frowned; she still had a black and white view of the world. Ruth sighed.

"She's a mother - one who is being blackmailed. Cook and his scumbag friends have her daughter. If she leaked intel they would spare the child." Ruth folded her arms as Harry headed into his office to call the Home Secretary. Zoe swore, aware that Malcolm had tutted at her profanity.

"This is bigger than we thought." Ruth watched as the team looked at her. "We have to find that child. Her life is in danger and these people aren't going to stop until they have finally destroyed this Section. To them little Francesca is collateral damage the same as Ishmael was. The same as Tariq."

Harry emerged from his office. "Briefing at 4pm. Everyone be there. The time for going softly on this is over."

Xxxxxxx