Heart Hammer
Harry sat in his car, the radio silent as he stared out over the dark embankment. He had known the Home Secretary would only suit his own agenda but he was more surprised at Ruth's total exoneration of Rosalind Myers. He had thought she had been sent to the section to spy on them for her father. But it seemed she was there as punishment. In the silence he blamed Joss Myers, Oliver Mace and the Home Secretary. The new girl, well if Ruth was willing to give her a chance then so was he. The darkness enveloped the pool car he had acquired, his gloved hands firmly on the wheel as he waited for the signal his friend - his oldest and most trusted of them all was there. The single flash of a cigarette lighter reassured Harry that he was. Harry flashed the headlights once before Malcolm joined him.
"Harry."
"Thank you for meeting with me." Harry paused. "I know."
"Colin was. Is my friend. When you were all out saving the world it was us three, Colin, Ruth and I that sat and waited. Always watching and waiting. Praying our efforts were enough to get you and the field officers home. When Helen died; when Danny and then Fiona did you think it was only the field officers affected?"
"Adam."
"Of course when Fiona was murdered there was no one as devastated as Adam. Helen - young, bubbly Helen. Her whole life ahead of her killed in the most evil way. That was the beginning of the end of Tom's time with us."
"There was nothing between Helen Flynn and Tom Quinn." Harry frowned. "Was there?"
"Yes they were friends. Colleagues. Tom was her senior. He felt and probably somewhere still feels responsible."
"The risks."
"Are part of the job for you and your ilk. But not for desk spooks." Malcolm sighed. "Yes Ruth did ok. She went back for Adam that time. But that was instinct not training, as you well know."
"Yes I know." Harry ran his hand over his face. "I should apologise. For what I said to you at Adam's home the night Colin died. You were right to be angry with me."
"As I recall, I was and still am angry with most people."
"Helen." Harry paused, thinking of the young woman he had selected from over fifty new recruits. "Her death, not on Tom's shoulders. Mine. I'm section head. It's my burden and no one else's."
"Oh don't play the bloody martyr!"
Malcolm snapped. Harry raised his eyes.
"I'm not. I'm just saying blame anyone then blame me. And these people." He handed his friend the slip of paper. Three names translated into morse code running from top to bottom.
"That high up?" Malcolm narrowed his eyes, squinting to see in the dim light.
"Ruth has been digging."
"So I see."
"She loved him too. Colin. It's not just you that lost a friend. Ruth's had very few of those but she counts Colin and you among them." Harry couldn't help but smile as he thought of the intellectual mouse that had surprised them all. It seemed the timid woman had more steel to her than anyone gave her credit for. Malcolm nodded.
"So what now? The coroner will rule suicide. Police won't be bothered."
"We have names."
"Harry. What to do with these names?"
Harry looked away. He knew Malcolm didn't have the Machiavellian mind he did. Data, facts and faith yes, those he could deal with. Revenge? Vigilantism? Justice? Harry wasn't so sure.
"We get peace for our friend. And we make sure they never do this again." Harry watched Malcolm's face darken slightly before nodding. In that moment Harry knew there was no going back.