2
Ruth closed her eyes as Harry fell silent. Malcolm had been shot. Kind, gentle and brave Malcolm had been shot. A desk officer who rarely ever entered the field, the man who had saved little Nico's life so many years earlier. She shook her head slightly.
"Sarah called. She's at the hospital. Apparently two police officers turned up at the book shop."
"He's."
"In hospital, Ruth. He's alive."
"Oh my God." Ruth whispered. "Thank God."
"Its bad. That's all she would say. She wants me to tell the team. I." Harry paused. "I just don't know how. He's Will and Catherine's godfather. He's Graham's godfather. I. Ruth, this is Malcolm we are talking about. He's not got a spiteful or vengeful bone in his body. Why would anyone do this?"
"Bad things happen to good people." She sighed. "Colin told me that once. We have to tell them. He's the heart of the Section. We have to tell them." Ruth squeezed his hand as Harry brushed a hand over his eyes. Ruth bit her lip, knowing that Malcolm was like a brother to him - they had been through so much since the days when Henry Parks was in Harry's job. "I'll be with you."
Harry smiled slightly before squeezing her hand.
"What would I do without you?" He paused. "Don't, I don't even want to think about that."
Ruth smiled sadly before straightening up. She hugged him for a moment before leading him into the main Grid.
xxxxxxxxxxxx
Sarah felt sick as she sat on the battered chair in the small 'Family Room' in the corner of the Accident and Emergency department. The doctor and nurse had been very kind, keeping her informed of what was happening with Malcolm. A young health care support worker had brought her a mug of sweet tea, apparently good for the shock. It sat barely touched on the small side table next to the chair she was occupying. Hands clamped in her hand, she kept her eyes on her knees, silently praying that Malcolm would pull through. It wasn't until she felt warm hands on her own that she looked up.
"Auntie Sarah?"
"Oh Will." She bit her lip as the dark haired young man looked her in the eyes. "Oh my boy. I."
"Hey." He hugged her tightly. "Uncle Harry is talking to the police. Says he will be here as soon as he can. Catherine has gone to talk to Graham. Ros is just outside, talking to the doctors. Said she's Malcolm's sister."
"To him, she is." Sarah pulled back, wiping her eyes. "You're all family to him."
"I know." Will smiled slightly as Ros walked in. The blonde looked as if she had seen a ghost, her pale skin practically transparent as she sat opposite Sarah.
"What did they tell you?" Ros stated rather than asked.
"Not a lot." Sarah's welsh lilt filled the room as Will held her hand. "Its bad. He had nipped into the bank, had a bit of shopping to do. He was supposed to go to Tesco, get some dog food, something for tea. That's all. I was going to cook tonight." Sarah's eyes seemed to glaze with tears. Ros nodded. "It was the bank. He was shot by someone getting into the bank. A robber. He hasn't been arrested yet, he's off to do whatever he wants and my Malcolm is in there. Fighting for his life."
"Sarah." Ros looked at Will for a moment. "Look at me."
Sarah's eyes met hers. "Will is going to stay with you. He is going to wait for news with you, ok? You are not on your own with this. You are as much part of Section D as Malcolm is. You are not on your own, is that understood?"
Sarah nodded. "Yes."
"It wasn't an accident. Malcolm wasn't in the wrong place at the wrong time." Ros stated. "It was a professional hit. He was shot twice at close range."
"Double-tap." Sarah frowned.
Ros nodded. "The bullets have been sent to be examined. But initial reports show its from a service weapon. Now either that got into the wrong hands or."
"One of his own? One of the service did it." Will swore as Sarah realised what Ros was trying to tell her. "No, not one of Section D."
"No." Ros agreed. "Not anyone in my team. But someone within the Security Services. I promise you Sarah. I PROMISE I am going to find who did this and they will pay. You concentrate on looking after Malcolm. Will, you too." She got up as Sarah nodded.
"You do your job." Sarah stated. "You find who did this and why."
Ros nodded once before leaving the room.