Dead drop

Harry had once thought his days of hands on spy craft were well and truly over. Sat in his office he sent the newer members of the team into the firing line. Adam, Zafar, Joanna, Rosalind, Ruth. He closed his eyes knowing he would always feel the guilt and weight of those they had lost. Helen, Fiona, Danny and now Colin. For a moment he wondered what on Earth he was doing; a man in his early 50s playing a young man's game. He shook his head sadly before heading towards the library he was due to collect the dead drop, he hoped Bernard had been able to give him the information they needed.

Xxxxx

Ruth slipped into Thames House almost unnoticed as she headed towards her desk. She knew Adam and Ros would be out working on some asset, Jo would be on her firearms training course with only Zaf and Malcolm likely to be on the Grid. She sighed in relief as she realised she was alone.

"Ruth." She turned sharply as the woman called her name.

"Ros. I thought you were with Adam."

Ros raised an eyebrow.

"He's currently dragging his knuckles across some concrete in Peckham. Zaf is with him."

"Right." Ruth knew the new girl had a sharp tongue but she really wasn't in the mood for the blonde's acid at that moment. "I've work to do."

"Don't we all?"

"Did you want something?"

"I'm part of this team. Neither of us particularly like that fact but I'm here."

Ruth glared at her.

"And I know my father and his friends are responsible for the death of Colin Wells."

"Ros, Colin was a very important part of D. He saved more lives with his gadgets and gizmos than any field officer has." Ruth folded her arms, glaring. "He was the heart of this place. Everyone's friend and ..."

"Touching eulogy." Ros interrupted. "I just thought you'd want to know that I found something. My father was responsible but it wasn't him that committed murder. That was these men." She handed Ruth the piece of paper she had been holding. "Ruth, I warn you. These men are evil to the core. The DG won't touch them and Colin was targeted deliberately."

"What?"

"What happens when something has its heart ripped out? It dies. Killing your friend was supposed to kill the Section. Now I'd rather that not happen." Ros turned before heading to the kitchen leaving Ruth holding the slip of paper in disbelief.

Xxxx