Alone

Ruth kept her eyes on the computer screen. It was getting late, the ticking of the clock reminding her that Harry had been gone for longer than she was comfortable with. She glanced at her watch for what felt like the millionth time since he had left her. Biting her lip she forced herself to keep her focus on the translation she was working on. Chinese dialects were complicated. Mandarin was one thing but Wu was a whole different challenge.

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The man on the park bench looked older than when Harry had seen him last. A loner by nature he had finally caved - the ideology of what they did for Queen and Country no longer fitting with his outlook on life. He had turned into a mercenary and Harry hated him for it.

"Harry."

"Two years is a long time." Harry sat next to him. The younger man nodded. The rest of London barely noticed their existence. Spooks in a world where the living are too busy to notice.

"Not long enough." The voice was harsher; more world weary than he remembered. "Zoe and Danny."

"You heard?"

"You should have done more. Zoe was hung out to dry."

"She's not in prison. I can't tell you where she is but she's safe. Free."

"And Danny Hunter?"

"Died saving another officer." Harry kept his voice neutral, pushing all thoughts of the terrible day Danny had died away. The man next to his nodded.

"He was a good man."

"Yes." Harry agreed.

"Colin?" The younger man took a sip from his overpriced coffee.

"Murdered in cold blood. He did not commit suicide. He was killed for what he was, not who. I know who did it. They'll never go to court - there'll be no trial. The coroner has already decided Colin died by his own hand."

"And what are we? Judge, jury and executioner?"

"No." Harry ran a hand over his face. Tired, angry and heartbroken in equal measure. "I am not asking you to kill anyone."

"Then what?"

"Make life difficult for these people. Make them pay for killing a gentle, articulate man that you were once a friend of." Harry glanced to his side. The dark haired man had gained weight; it suited him. He looked rested but still troubled. The years of service still lingering in his distrustful eyes.

"Names."

Harry handed his the paper so quickly no one would notice. Tom slipped the crumpled paper under the face of his watch.

"How can I contact you?"

"You can't. It'll be done but this is it. No more. You have my word. I'll ruin these men. They'd wish I had killed them." He sipped his drink before throwing the carton into the waste bin next to the bench. "I have to go." He got to his feet as Harry looked away. Moments later he was gone. Harry smiled to himself. Tom Quinn hadn't been a serving officer for over two years but he was still as much of an enigma as ever. Remembering his promise to Ruth he pulled his mobile phone out of his pocket before making his way to the black 4x4 waiting for him.

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