My latest offering, which gives me the opportunity to wish everyone a happy Easter as well as my thanks to all who are reading this story and even more thanks to those who've reviewed. Much appreciated.

The assembled Senior Team, plus Malcolm, were beginning to despair of ever managing to exit the Grid before the clock of today transmuted into the clock of tomorrow. By now in the main office area only the skeleton night crew would be at work under the dimmed light, but here in the Meeting Room it could still have been midday. Erin in particular was sighing inwardly at the realisation that once again Rosie's bedtime story would not be read by Mummy. Despite this none of those gathered around the large table dared to show any indication of eagerness to depart. The events of the last twenty four hours were guaranteed to ensure that Harry's emotions would be running high, rendering his temper even more combustible than usual, so they remained seated and silent in the knowledge that nothing lasted forever, sometimes it just felt like it.

Having wound up the routine end of day meeting relating to the progress, or lack of it, regarding the run of ongoing operations, Harry then announced that, 'those involved in the investigation into Ruth's reappearance will remain." This was followed by a glare when Ruth's replacement, one Matthew Sutherland, failed to make any effort to remove himself. Before Harry could explode at this act of insubordination Erin, breaking away from her own concerns, hastily intervened, staving off the threatened conflagration with the statement.

"Matthew has some useful Intel."

An unmollified Harry snapped back, "Indeed", to which Matthew remained stoically unresponsive. Erin, Dimitri and Callum felt their sympathies temporarily diverted from Harry's angst to empathise instead with Matthew's endless battle to be thoroughly accepted by their boss. It wasn't Matthew's fault that he had stepped into the post previously occupied by Harry's beloved, and while he lacked Ruth's touch of genius his work was a reflection of his basic character, solid and reliable.

After a few seconds Harry concluded that as Matthew had cast himself in the role of the immovable object he might as well remain during the update. Harry had more important matters on his mind and if Matthew's alleged Intel proved to be rubbish he could always exact a penalty later.

"Very well. Basically Ruth is conscious but exists in a form of cationic state. Charles was reluctant to use the word zombie but I'm not a clinician and that just about covers it. She performs most motor functions independently, eating, sleeping etc but has no spark of interest in anything or anyone."

Allowing the team a moment to digest this news Harry continued, "Charles needs to stimulate her, awake the intellectual brain but given that she seems to regard myself as some type of devil incarnate…" He paused for moment to eye his audience, silently daring anyone to make the obvious response before continuing, "and by extension the same view might have been inculcated with regard to the Service in general."

After a moment of silence, while those present all considered how you isolated memories of the Service from your brain and emotions, it was Dmitri who asked, "So what can be done?"

Harry staring at the team admitted, "It's a difficult line to walk but Charles has followed up his analysis with a few suggestions. Firstly bypass any mention of her professional involvements in favour using her more personal memories and interests, her favourite books, music etcetera."

Malcolm interjected, "That we can do, many of her books and Cds are stored in the lock up. I'll call in on my way home and take a selection to the hospital tomorrow."

"Thank you Malcolm. That covers one or two bases."

Turning to Erin Harry gave her a smile before mentioning, "Ruth is currently wearing a white hospital gown that closely resembles a shroud so can you go shopping tomorrow, use the Section Credit card and buy some clothes that are to Ruth's taste, plus nightwear and underwear."

A task that made Erin flash a smile of pure pleasure in his direction, making Harry inwardly shudder at the probable final bill even as he added, "and cosmetics, perfume and….."

To be interrupted by Malcom, "Harry some of Ruth's jewellery is also in the lock up shall I.."

He didn't need to complete the sentence as Harry interrupted with, "Yes of course."

The simple part of the Operation Ruth now having been allocated Harry proceeded onto the more difficult section. "Charles also really needs to know the drugs and treatment that Ruth received. So far he's not observed any withdrawal symptoms but I presume that might be a possibility in the near future. Also of course we can't use any foreign languages or literature to awake her brain until we know who….

Looking expectantly at the crew around the table he was met with blank faces until Matthew cleared his throat.

"Yes"

"Well Sir."

"I've told you before call me Harry."

"Well S… Harry when Erin explained what had happened." Making Harry wonder exactly what Erin had explained but no matter, his feelings for Ruth had become open knowledge in the aftermath of the Gavrick affair. "I though it unlikely that Ruth had arrived on foot and if she was being fed instructions logically it followed that someone had to be nearby to control her." He paused for a moment making Harry bark,

"And so.."

"So I ran the CCTV checks around your house, as you know the coverage.."

"Yes yes get on with it"

Matthew, recognising that this irascible instruction owed more to impatience than hostility, got on with it.

"At the time of the attack a car was tracked in the vicinity of your house and drove away at speed when the attack failed – I traced it the Thames Barrier area but then we lost it – a blind spot."

Dmitri suddenly interjected, "We had a report today of a body found in the river near there – because of the Barrier being a likely target area we get automatic notifications but no identity so far."

"Which ", Harry added, "is suspicious in itself."

Turning to Matthew he asked, "Anything else?", expecting a negative but was surprised. "Well yes – I checked the area of your house the day before Ruth's arrival and what looked like the same car arrived and departed twice from a nearby street. Stopping off and then returning to collect a passenger. The CCTV didn't track him all the way but he seems to have headed and returned from your street and.."

"He!"

"Could have been a she but I estimated the height at six feet and a reasonably broad build."

Callum smirked, "Could be a female shot putter."

Harry considering Matthew's theory having thought for a moment instructed, "Very well Dimitri and Malcolm follow this up please, ignoring Callum's suggestion." Malcolm relieved that Harry seemed a little more reconciled to Matthew's presence, Callum having quietly mentioned to him the difficulty Matthew was experiencing 'in following in Ruth' footsteps contributed his so far negative findings.

"After talking to the three who witnessed Ruth's supposed demise I've concluded that whatever happened to her probably took place after her body arrived at the hospital. The attending paramedics and crew check out, none were new, all debt free, no sudden expenditures and no large sums deposited into foreign accounts, stable family lives and all are still in post. I'm waiting for the treatment and handover reports and am now checking out the hospital arrival and staff records.

With no one providing any further information Harry gave a heartfelt "Thank you everyone."

Erin spoke for the group when she responded. "None required Harry we all liked Ruth and want to find out what happened to her and why."

Being driven home through a mist shrouded London after a harrowing day – not that that was new experience for Harry - he at least felt a spark of hope. She was alive and if only they could retrieve the submerged Ruth they might even have the future he thought they'd lost. But the question of who had abducted her, repaired her and then damaged that wonderful mind, kept revolving in his mind. The why was less complicated, a revenge attack from someone who hated him, but who from among the many likely candidates? And who had financed it? Some very serious money had been sunk into this effort to kill him with such savage artistry.

Stepping out of the car after having made his usual thanks his driver, as its tail lights vanished down the road a slim figure emerged from the foggy shadows making Harry give a sudden start. His unease compounded at the sound of a familiar voice tentatively saying, "Harry' as the speaker moved into the light cast by the nearby lamp post allowing Harry to clearly identify.

Alexis Gavrick

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