Many thanks to those who read and even more thanks to those who reviewed. I'll be away for a few days so may not be able to reply to reviews as quickly as usual.


"Good morning Harry- and today's emergency is?"

From Towers general tone and demeanour Harry divined that the Home Secretary had been less than thrilled at his request for an immediate meeting. Tough. Unruffled by the underlying annoyance emanating from his political lord and master Harry sank into his usual chair prior to unleashing his conversational bombshell.

"No emergency as such", pausing to savour Towers visible irritation, "but I thought I ought to advise you that Ruth Evershed arrived on my doorstep yesterday evening." Gratified by the sight of Towers struggling to keep his jaw and upper lip aligned Harry added the final informational flourish, "and then she shot me."

Towers allowed himself quick scan of his desk diary– no April Fools day was still some weeks distant -before commenting dryly, "Clearly she didn't succeed". Taking a further pause for reflection Towers mused that Ruth was by no means the first or only person to crave taking a pot shot at Harry. The CIA, FSB aka KJB, nameless religious headbangers, some sections of the home security services and assorted A N others could all claim membership of that particular club.

As his first initial shock at Harry's announcement began to recede Towers buzzed his PA, "Two strong black coffees please. And no interruptions for the next thirty minutes." Turning back to Harry Towers commented, "You really are not my cardiologist's favourite person." Any further exchange of pleasantries being halted by the arrival of Towers smartly dressed, very decorative, and obviously super efficient PA.

"Thank you Sarah."

Sarah having deposited the coffees on Towers desk, accompanied by some unrequested biscuits, straightened up before informing her superior, "Sir the PM wishes to speak with you before the Cabinet meeting. "

Towers glanced at Harry who reassured him, "Half an hour will suffice. I also need to brief Section D before the rumours start."

Towers nodded to Sarah, who departed, curious as to exactly what mayhem Sir Harry was about to unleash. She'd heard many rumours about the dark arts concealed within his chubby figure and exquisite tailoring, but had to admit that he was also the possessor of decent manners and was unfailing polite when addressing her, which was rather more than could be said of most of the unclassy Spads who infested Whitehall; sexist jerks who thought they walked on water.

Left alone Towers fixed Harry with a glare, learned behaviour from the man opposite.

"Did I hear you correctly? And if so I assume you've contacted the DG regarding this development." Towers felt obliged to mention this last point, being all too aware that relations between the DG and Harry resembled those of the lion and the lamb, with the DG usually cast in the role of the lamb.

"Yes and yes. I had intended to contact Dolby after speaking to you but one of the pen pushers in the Hospital admin insisted that as Ruth was no longer employed by the security services she should not be admitted. Due to Government cost cutting rules I understand." After which swipe Harry added, "Dolby took the view that as she was involved with Section D and still employed in the Home Office when she was apparently killed and overrode the rules."

Towers was suppressing an inward smirk, it wasn't often Harry had to be grateful to the DG. That must have hurt.

With those queries cleared Harry outlined for Towers the traumatic events of the previous evening concluding with, "Charles has asked for Ruth's medical records to be retrieved from the archives. Currently he's got her under twenty four hour observation with armed officers on standby given that it would seem someone wanted her to commit sucicide."

Unlike the medic who'd attended the scene Towers had no difficulty in believing Harry's identification of Ruth but for forms sake again he had to check, "Are you sure it really is her?"

"Yes, but Charles is also running a DNA check so we should have the results later today – he's insisted on fast tracking them."

That seemed very satisfactory as far as went, leaving Towers to enquire, "And assuming it is Ruth why did she accuse you of shooting her when…"

He halted, aware of very delicate ground he was treading on when even mentioning the Harry Ruth relationship conundrum.

Harry wasn't offended, "Yes I have to admit that is another part of the puzzle but the greater one is …"

Towers said it for him, "How, when she was declared dead and three members of your Section plus yourself witnessed her demise, is she still alive?"

Harry agreed, grateful for Towers' quick grasp of the essentials, "Quite. That is what the DG asked and obviously we need to investigate." Taking a breath he continued, "We've decided that currently as we've no idea of the who or why we'll commence with a very secret investigation within Section D."

Towers had to protest, "But that looks like…."

Harry produced a very weary semi smile, "Marking our own homework. I've called in Malcolm Wynne Jones, he's…"

Towers interrupted, "The ex Senior Technical officer from Section D?"

Harry nodded, "While I don't believe Callum, Erin or Dimitri are implicated, officers have been turned before and I'd prefer to keep any dirty washing in house. Assuming they are cleared then someone somewhere was involved. Malcom knows the ropes, also he was very fond of Ruth. I occasionally employ him and Tom Quinn, another ex Section D member, for jobs that require an approved external contractor, consequently he still has the necessary security clearances."

Towers silently added that while one of those two ex spooks mentioned was very good friend to Harry, the other, he knew had been decommissioned from Section D on favourable terms, due to Harry's recognition of his excellent service. The pair were also remarkable for being two of the few members of Section D not to depart in a wooden box.

Into the silence Harry's mobile rang. With an "Excuse me", Harry answered the call,

"Thank you Charles – yes I'll come in this afternoon."

Turning to Towers he advised,

"The DNA result is in. Ruth lives on."


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