The team had been bogged down for several days trying to identify the shipping employee and discover more about the connection with China. When Beth joined Section D just two days after Simon told them about her, she was given a thorough induction to the grid by Ruth. Then she was partnered with Tariq to learn the ins and outs of the computer network, leaving Ruth and Malcolm to concentrate on the operation.

Late Wednesday afternoon, Ruth called out. "Lucas, I've got him." She grinned at Lucas from her desk with satisfaction.

"Our mystery man?"

"Robert Fuller. Rob. Age twenty-six. Unmarried. He's worked as a warehouse manager for Docklands International for eighteen months. Until he was twelve, he lived in Beijing where his father was a diplomat, which explains his ability to speak Chinese."

"And possibly his connections back there as well."

"Yes, maybe. He's also got a conviction for handling stolen goods."

"Okay, so now we know who he is, we can put him under proper surveillance. We need to find out exactly how he's been getting the guns through and who is behind him. " Lucas looked over at Beth who was talking to Dimitri, and sought Ruth's opinion. "What do you think? Give her a go at proving herself?"

"Sure, why not?" Ruth nodded. "Her Chinese is patchy, but it's better than nothing and will probably come in handy."

"I'll get Tariq to go along with her. He could do with a change of scenery, and Malcolm will hold the fort back here. Be like old times."

Beth was delighted to get out of the office, and she and Tariq were soon on their way to Barking Terminal. They would wait for Rob Fuller, and follow him when he left work. With the help of some of Tariq's targeted listening devices, they would record his conversations, relaying them back to Malcolm who would be listening on the grid. Ultimately they would stop Fuller, and eliminate the gun supplier at source.

When Ruth called to see Harry that evening, he was in a bad mood after a trying day. In the morning he'd had his first session at the Cardiac Rehabilitation Centre where he'd been put through an exhausting physical assessment, and given an exercise program designed to ease him back to full strength. It came complete with more instructions about what he was not allowed to do, like lifting anything too heavy, or mowing the lawn. That meant it also came with a hefty dose of frustration.

Ruth's suggestion that perhaps Harry should consider getting some help around the house, just until he was back on his feet, sparked a disagreement. Soon dinner lay forgotten, half prepared on the kitchen bench, and the disagreement descended into something worse. Harry slowly wound himself up, and Ruth gave as good as she got. Then Harry lashed out in anger.

"Ruth, I've had an operation, and I'm getting better. That's why I'm going to the Rehab Centre. I'm not helpless, and I don't need some busybody sticking their nose in where it's not wanted."

"I'm not talking about invading your privacy - "

"No, you're just asking me to let a stranger into my house. I'd have thought you'd have known better. Besides which it's completely unnecessary."

"Harry - "

"Stop it, Ruth." Harry moved to the middle of the kitchen, struggling to control his temper.

"Harry, I'm just saying - "

"No, Ruth. You're not my mother, and you're not my wife. Just leave me alone!" Harry shouted, turning and storming out of the room.

Ruth stood frozen with one hand on the bench, a little in shock. She'd heard Harry shout before, many times, but couldn't remember him ever shouting at her, not like that. And what he'd said … Taking a shaky breath, Ruth blinked away the tears she felt forming, then fetched her bag and coat. She left without saying goodbye.

Although he was frustrated, and had only been expressing what he was feeling at the time, it didn't take long for Harry to regret it, and how he'd spoken to Ruth. You're a damn fool, Harry Pearce. When he had calmed down, he returned to the kitchen, but found it empty. He pulled a chair out from the table, the legs scraping loudly on the floor, and slumped heavily onto it. Resting his elbows on the table, Harry held his head in his hands and closed his eyes, wishing he could start the evening again.

Eating a quick breakfast, Ruth mulled over what she should do, then headed to work. The grid was a hive of activity all morning, and it was almost lunchtime before she had a chance to catch her breath and act on the decision she had made earlier.

"Malcolm?" Ruth appeared at the door to the forgery suite, where Malcolm was settled in for a long haul.

"Yes, Ruth?" He swiveled around in his chair to face her.

"Malcolm, would you go and see Harry?"

"Yes. I was planning on going round to visit on the weekend."

"I mean, would you go and see him tonight?"

"Tonight?" Malcolm's brow creased in surprise.

"Yes." Ruth looked away for a moment. "We … we had an argument. I know mood swings are to be expected after what he's been through, but he's being so temperamental. He's really not thinking sensibly, and we had a … difference of opinion. I only want to help, but I won't be treated like that."

"Ruth, I'm not sure that I - "

"Please Malcolm? Just make sure he's okay, not overdoing it, eating properly, that's all."

"You can't avoid him forever Ruth."

"I'm not avoiding anyone. I'm just fed up, that's all." She sighed. "If I go and see him, I'm likely to shout back, and I don't want to do that."

"So you're angry at Harry, but what are you expecting from him?" Ruth didn't reply, and finally Malcolm agreed. "Okay, but promise me you won't let this go on too long?"

Ruth nodded in agreement. "Thank you, Malcolm. You're a good friend. To me and to Harry."

That evening, Malcolm found himself sitting in Harry's living room, feeling slightly ill at ease. It wasn't the first time he'd been there, but he'd never visited socially before. After the customary pleasantries had been exchanged, Malcolm got straight to the point. "Ruth's angry with you."

"I know," said Harry. "I've been trying all day to decide what I should do about it."

"Look, I don't think any of us can pretend to know what this has been like for you Harry, but you've got to let people help you. It doesn't mean you're incapable or a lesser man. It just means people … care about you ... and some a lot more than others." Now Malcolm gave him a very direct look, his mouth twitching upward with an embarrassed half-smile.

Harry nodded. "I didn't mean to shout at her. Really. It just all got too much. It's so bloody frustrating!"

"Yes, well, it's not me you should be saying this to."

"You're the one who's here."

"Although I am very pleased to see you, I'm not the one who you'd prefer to have here though, am I? Or the one who really wants to be here. You must know she asked me to check up on you tonight. Even though she's upset, she still wants to make sure you're alright."

"Malcolm ..." There was a warning tone in Harry's voice.

"Alright, alright." Malcolm had said his piece, and it was time to move on. "Just talk to her. Please? I'll say no more. Now, how about a game of chess?"

Harry appreciated the diversion and nodded in agreement, standing to fetch the chess board from the coffee table.

How will Harry apologise?