4.

"Why now?" Catherine repeated the question from earlier. She knew the older woman was linked to her father in some way but she wasn't entirely sure she wanted to know how. Looking up from her computer she saw Ruth approach her desk.

"Catherine?"

"Where's Dad?"

"Gone home." She sighed. "You know the rules. He is not to have anything to do with this case. He said so himself."

"And since when did being told you are on Administrative Leave stop any of us?" Zaf asked as he placed mugs of tea on the desk next to Ruth's. "Come on. You were here when the whole Gavrik thing kicked off."

"I was." Ruth frowned, knowing she had only been back in the country a year when the woman had landed in their lives. The situation had almost ended what had been a budding relationship with Harry. Had almost killed her more than once. She sighed, knowing that the woman was dead didn't make the memories hurt any less. "It was not a good time."

"Harry thought Ilya was going to kill him." Lucas paused as Ros nodded.

"I am not interested in history. Its what the dead woman's sister is planning for our immediate future that does." She snapped as she headed into Harry's office before pulling the blinds. A moment later she appeared in the doorway.

"CALUM, TARIQ."

Tariq sighed before getting to his feet and following Calum to the office. Catherine shot her husband a look before returning to her computer. A moment later Malcolm was on his feet, heading towards the office. Ruth narrowed her eyes as she continued searching through files on her computer.

"Just focus on what we have been told to do. Harry can take care of himself."

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Harry knew Ros would be more than capable of managing the Grid while he was away. He smirked as he thought to himself that maybe her replacing him would be a more permanent arrangement in the near future. He knew his age was catching up with him. The current Home Secretary, a woman he did not like nor trust had already called him a dinosaur, a historical relic of the Cold War and he had to admit in that moment he couldn't find it in himself to disagree. Stood under the cold, damp flyover he did wonder if he should put himself out to pasture.

"Here? Really?"

He turned to see the middle aged woman walk towards him.

"I think the days of meeting you in a plush office are gone." He smiled slightly as the former Home Secretary smirked.

"Frances Delaney not your cup of tea?"

"Career politicians rarely are."

"Why am I here?" She frowned. "And no, I wasn't followed and I am not on any CCTV."

"Once a spook."

"Well, once the spouse of one." She raised her eyebrows. "Again, why am I here?"

"I'm dead."

"You don't look it."

Harry smiled slightly. "Not yet. But if the Gavriks."

"Both Ilya and Elena are dead. The son is in a mental health institute for the foreseeable."

"Yes." Harry conceded. "What do you know about Krycheck? Her sister?"

"She is in London?"

"Yes."

"You believe she is behind the attacks this week?"

"Anouska Krycheck was just an annoyance in my Berlin days but she was very close to Elena."

"Sisters."

"I need to know is she going to try to continue Elena's work."

"Disaster was averted and those responsible have either been imprisoned or died." She raised an eyebrow as Harry looked away. "Least said about that the better."

"Yes."

"Harry, aren't we too long in the tooth to be skirting around such issues? People are dead. Dozens in hospital."

"I know."

"If that woman is here. IF she is determined to create a war then it wont be her own political ideology. It will be Elena. It will be her influence on her. She will want to make sure Elena's legacy lives on." She watched him closely. "Does Ruth know you are doing this?"

"Yes." He paused. "My body is about to be found in a burnt out car in Streatham."

"There is not a man on this Earth that will believe you have committed suicide!"

Harry kept his face impassive. "If she thinks I am out of the game I can go after her and her friends without them looking for me."

"You are not the first spook to fake their deaths."

"True." He thought of Adam, Ruth and Ros - all had apparently died at some point but were still fighting the good fight. He ran a hand over his face. "I know, but if it keeps my family safe."

"You think she is out for revenge?"

"No." Harry looked her in the eye. "I know she is trying her best to finish what Elena was trying to start. She wants me dead, I have no doubt but she wants a war more. Even with current events as they are she thinks her home country is weak. A pariah."

"And this will change that?"

"World War Three?" Harry paused. "She doesn't care. Not as long as she gets her own way. That I do remember about the woman."

"What can I do?"

"Get a message to Ros."

He handed her a crumpled note. "Numbers?"

"She will understand."

"You taught her well." Pauline shook her head.

"Well, if I have taught her anything this will prove it."

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Malcolm walked over to his desk, clearly not happy. Beth ran a hand through her hair as she watched him.

"Malcolm?"

"One moment." He picked up his phone. "Come on, come on." He waited impatiently for the person on the other end to answer. When no one did he put it in his pocket.

"What is going on?"

"That infernal woman." He shook his head.

"Ros?"

"No, Anouska." He snapped. "She is as evil as her sister." He looked over to where Ruth was now sat with her headphones on. "We are going to have to look after Ruth."

"Why?"

"Because I am worried Harry is not coming back."

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A/N please review