A/N Penultimate chapter

Useful?

Jan glared at the bald man with utter contempt. She knew he had the moral compass of a cockroach. She rarely hated anyone but this man had earned her contempt and loathing in a way no other human had. She suspected Bethan and Alex had realised she was out of the office much longer than she had intended to be. With Beckett on paternity leave and Ros just having her baby they were short staffed. It was all hands on deck, she just hoped the women realised she hadn't returned from her visit with Smythe. She sighed heavily, realising it was more than likely up to a certain Ed Mitchell to make sure she was returned to the Hive in one piece. It wasn't a thought she relished.

"What are you hoping to achieve?" Jan rounded on the bald man. "You know there is no way you can just walk away from murdering the prison governor or abducting a member of the security services. It just doesn't work that way."

Jean Daniel smirked. He knew she was right, but he intended to make sure that he achieved his goal. It didn't matter what it cost, in the end Ros Henderson, Nicholas Beckett and Edward Mitchell would be dead and he didn't care who he took along with them. He glared at the woman in front of him.

"I don't doubt it. Only you wont be around to see it." He stepped towards her as Jan held his gaze. Even if he was to kill her where she stood there was no way she was going to let him see he frightened her. She thought of her three officers, knowing that if Jean Daniel had actually intended to kill them then he had ample opportunity with Ros on maternity leave and Beckett on paternity leave for at least two weeks. He could easily have had one of his minions attack Ros when she was in the hospital. Part of her wondered if he knew about the baby and had developed a heart. She narrowed her eyes, knowing that was about as likely as Ed turning up for work on time at least once.

"Really?" Jan squared her shoulders. "Then, may I ask, why am I not dead?" Her cut glass English accent cut through the air, effectively holding his attention just as Ed burst into the room and jumping on Jean Daniel's back. The older man fell forwards as he and Ed fought to take control of the gun. Jan looked around the room, hoping to find a weapon when Beckett appeared. Ed managed to scramble the older man to the floor, putting his knee into his back.

"You! I might have known you'd try to play the hero." Jean Daniel gasped.

Ed smiled happily. "Aw, what's wrong? Not enough polish for that head? That's no way to meet an old friend is it?"

Jean Daniel swore as Beckett crossed to Jan.

"He's killed twice. Are you injured?"

"No." Jan looked at the man on the floor before stepping to retrieve the gun Ed had kicked to the other side of the room. "I'm fine."

"Really?" Jean Daniel smirked. "You're sure about that?"

Beckett crouched to him, as Ed pulled him to his feet. "You've lost, you are going back to a much more secure prison for a very long time."

"I don't think so, Mr Beckett." He elbowed Ed in the gut before stepping forward. Ed swore, before sweeping his feet out from under him. Jean Daniel hit what appeared to be a panic button as the room began to fill with thick, acrid smoke.

Xxxxxxx

"Oh I do not like this." Beth tucked her brown hair behind her ear as she read the information on her computer. She tapped away at the keyboard. "Crap. I seriously do not like this."

"What?" Ros looked up as the baby settled in her car seat. "What have you found?" She crossed to where the young woman was glaring at the computer screen. Her face was etched in anger, she just hoped Alex had managed to get their police officer friend to help them.

"Six weeks ago." Beth read the screen as Ros pulled a chair up beside her. "The Armoury Chemical Plant had a break in. Seems enough chemical products were stolen to make enough poisonous gas to kill half of Greater London."

"Why didn't we know about this?" Ros frowned.

"It wasn't reported. I think Jean Daniel had a friend. I think this is what he was up to."

Ros nodded, knowing she had to get a message to the boys. Their lives depended on it.

A/N please review