The whole
Harry listened as Ruth busied herself making them both hot sweet tea. The words tripped out of her mouth without barely a pause for breath as Harry gratefully took the mug of tea.
"I don't think Ros was involved in any way. She's as much a victim of her father as the rest of us." Ruth sighed. "She didn't know the coup would be as blood thirsty. Joss twisted her mind. Brainwashed her; the way only a fanatical parent can."
"I see."
"Don't blame her."
"I blame her father. I didn't think you liked her."
"She's not my best friend but she's good at what she does. You can't help your family, Harry. I know that more than anyone."
Harry nodded, watching her eyes cloud over. It seemed that his Ruth had a generosity of spirit most spooks lacked. He took a deep breath, knowing thoughts like that could only lead to madness.
"Then who?"
"Colin was the heart of Section D. Everyone loved him. You know that. What's the best way to kill something?"
"Excuse me?"
"To rip the heart out."
"Ruth." Harry looked at her. "The Home Secretary."
"Wants us gone. He sees the War on Terror as an American invention that costs us far too much money."
"When he claims thousands on expenses." Harry narrowed his eyes. Ruth nodded. "You have evidence of this?"
"On that disk. If it's traced back to me. If Mace and the HS work out its me they will."
"Not touch you." Harry watched the fear leave her eyes. "This stays within D. You, Adam, Zaf, Joanna, Ros and Malcolm. No one else! And as for us costing the taxpayer that moron knows we are running on half staff. We should have at least another six officers."
Ruth smiled slightly. She knew he was fiercely protective of his team, and especially her. He always had been.
"Just." She paused. "We need to be careful. If we want someone to pay for the murder of our Colin then we need to be careful."
Harry nodded. A plan already working its way through his brain.
Xxxxxxx
Malcolm had barely slept. He hated that it had been Colin that had been targeted. His best friend - his surrogate brother in many respects was dead. He couldn't but help think it should be him laying cold in the mortuary, not Colin. He swore under his breath as the phone rang. It was late. He at least wanted to pretend to be asleep. It was the wrong ring tone for a Red Flash so he was inclined to ignore it. Realising his elderly mother would probably try to get out of bed to answer the blasted call and more than likely fall over he hurled himself out of bed. Minutes later he was listening to a very irate Harry.
"Do you know what time it is?" Malcolm snapped. Harry walked along the corridor of a deserted Thames House as he spoke.
"1:45 am. That watch Catherine bought me still works."
"Harry."
"I've just spent the night with Ruth."
"Oh! Oh I. Well."
"Working Malcolm. Working." Harry clarified. "Can you meet me? I'll text you co ordinates. We're going to have to go old school on this."
"Cold War craftsmanship."
"Exactly. One hour from now? Yes?"
"Yes." Malcolm scrubbed a hand over his face. He wasn't doing this for his team. This wasn't for the greater good of the U.K. or Queen and Country. This was for Colin. So that Malcolm could look himself in the eye knowing he hadn't let his best friend down. Harry ended the call, gathered what he needed and left, knowing the code 'send coordinates' would have anyone watching him scramble to hack his phone. Malcolm knew where to meet him. Getting there was all that mattered.
Xxxx
A/N please review