A/N thankyou all for reading and taking the time to review. Please let me know what you think of this chapter.
5.
The phone call had been one both Ros and Ruth were expecting, both knew the information relayed by one of Harry's assets was false but the stab to the heart both women felt was very real. Ruth closed her eyes before calling Calum and Catherine into the small room to the side of the Grid. Malcolm noticed the way his friend walked, as if steeling herself for tears before he marched into Harry's office as Ros closed the blinds.
"Ros."
"Sit down." Ros sat on the edge of the battered old red sofa that Harry still refused to get rid of. Malcolm sighed heavily before doing as he was asked.
"Ros, I know Harry is not going to ignore this. I know he isn't just going to accept that he has to walk away. I've known the man too long."
"Yes." Ros closed her eyes.
"He is up to something. I saw Catherine and Calum head into the Forgery Suit with Ruth, what is it?"
"He's dead."
"What?" Malcolm felt his stomach drop. "Ros."
"As far as we are aware he is dead. I just received a phone call from his asset. A body was found in a car we believe to be his. The car was burned out."
"What asset?"
"You know I can't tell you that."
"Ros, if this is true or if we are to play at his demise being real we have to make it real. We need to push the myth that his assets are being redistributed."
Ros nodded, she knew he was right but they still didn't really know what Harry had planned. He angrily wiped away at his eyes.
"Malcolm, I."
"Who is his link, now that he is dark. Because I am assuming that he is not really. I mean, he isn't really. He hasn't.."
"No." Ros stated quietly. "I don't really know how I am going to do this but we have to make the rest of the world believe he is. Its like what happened with Ruth all over again. Only this time its Krycheck's fault." She hissed, the venom in her voice made him almost feel sorry for the Russian woman.
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Harry skulked in the shadows as he watched the former Home Secretary walk away. He knew the woman could be trusted, having inherited the debacle her predecessor Towers had left behind. He glanced at his watch, knowing that now his family would know he wasn't coming home tonight or possibly ever. His heart constricted at the thought of never seeing Ruth again, of not getting to see Gracie and his grandchildren grow up but he knew the greater risk of that happening would be if he hadn't gone dark. He needed Ros and Ruth to play their parts, if any of the JIC had any idea he was still alive then there was a very real chance Anoushka would be told. That would certainly lead to her either breaking from her plan and trying to find him or getting someone on her payroll to see to his demise. He took out the burner phone he had bought the moment he had left the Grid. A single text to Ruth - a red heart and then he was gone.
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The meeting room was as Ros remembered it. The austere woodwork with the lack of natural daylight giving it an almost oppressive atmosphere. She glanced at Adam before making her way to the seat where Harry would normally be. Adam sat next to her, keeping silent he watched the various heads of department and other pen pushers walk in and take their seats.
"Mrs Myers, Mr Carter." The head of the Committee sat down appraising the two unfamiliar faces. "Thank you for attending. I can imagine this is a somewhat trying time."
Ros glared at the man, knowing that any of the members of the JIC could be the one who had links to the Russian woman. If Harry's hunch was right not one of them were to be trusted. Adam looked away for a moment as Susan Jackson took her seat opposite him. The MI6 woman was far from his favourite person.
"Harry sending his minions to a JIC meeting now? Hardly following protocol. I know Mrs Myers here has attended with Harry previously but this is new."
"I would not be here if." Adam felt Ros rest a hand on his arm, silencing him.
"I am surprised you haven't heard." Ros stated. "Always believed you of all people were the first to be informed on anything that happened that could affect the Service." She kept her voice deliberately on edge. Sir Carmichael hushed them all.
"Ros, would you care to inform us of the circumstance that prevents Harry from attending this or any futured meetings."
Ros nodded.
"Exactly ninety minutes ago Henry James Pearce was found dead. His car had been the subject of an explosion, whether that was an accident or by design is yet to be ascertained." She glared at Jackson as the older woman visibly paled. She knew the other woman had been caught off guard, she just hoped it was enough for her to let something slip that could lead them to the woman brokering what looked like a third World War.
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a/n if anyone is reading I would appreciate a review.
