Erin and Dimitri were becoming increasingly concerned by Harry's non appearance onto the Grid. While he had informed Erin of his request for an early morning meeting with Towers, in itself enough to send alarm bells jangling given Harry's usual avoidance of the elected not so honourable members, that he was still absent as the clock approached ten meant that apprehension was rising.

The whoosh of the pods made them both turn their heads only to be confronted by Callum fresh from liaising with his opposite number in C Section. His news from the world beyond the pods was however less than welcome.

"Erin any idea what Malcolm Wynne Jones is doing in Thames House?"

Dimitri, whose tenure in Section D was slightly longer than that of Erin and Callum answered, "Are you sure – the only time he's visited was just before the Albany affair – something to do with Lucas North." Callum was not to be contradicted, "It was definitely him, I remember him from Ruth's funeral – he was being ushered into one of the side waiting rooms."

Erin's brow was wrinkling in puzzlement, so it was perhaps fortunate for her wrinkle free complexion that the sound of the pods again echoed across the Grid, disgorging both Harry and Malcolm. Before anyone could speak Harry in his finest military tones ordered, "Senior Team into the Briefing Room now."

When Harry spoke in that voice no one argued. It was clear some major incident had aroused him – possibly a mild improvement on the almost frozen face he'd presented for the last eighteen months or so. Even without that development curiosity would have won out.

Once everyone was settled around the table, turning expectant faces towards Harry it was clear from the pause that he was struggling to articulate an explanation for both his peremptory tone and the reasons underlying his bidding. Sitting like dummies, no one daring to betray any impatience, the silence stretched what seemed an age but was in fact only approximately thirty seconds.

Harry, after a clearing of his throat, finally spoke. "Yesterday evening I had an unexpected visitor to my home whose arrival has necessitated an urgent investigation. Due to the extraordinary circumstances the DG and Towers have agreed to my recommendation that although it is advisable that this is undertaken within Section D it is also inappropriate for any of you to take the lead. Consequently as the ex Senior Technical Officer who is well acquainted with Section D the investigation will be led by Malcolm Wynne Jones."

For his audience, with the obvious exception of Malcolm, so far so mysterious. The three Senior officers after swapping glances, each daring the other two to ask the obvious question, remained silent. Finally Erin decided as she was the Section Chief it behoved her to risk putting her finely honed stiletto heels into whatever ordure was underlying this turn of events.

"Harry can you please clarify for the team exactly what has happened?"

Harry turning a gimlet stare onto her impertinence answered, "Certainly – my visitor yesterday evening was Ruth Evershed."

He wasn't disappointed by the collective gaps that escaped the trio, savoured while both he and Malcolm were surreptitiously surveying the group for any hint that this may not be unexpected development. It was both a relief and a gratification to see the jaws of the normally unshockable spooks heading towards the table. While he waited for the inevitable query his money was on Erin. Luckly this was a cashless bet as it was Calum who managed to articulate first, "Er I know she once had the code name Lady Lazarus but are you sure…"

Harry cut across impatiently, "Yes and the subsequent DNA check was a positive." Before anyone could argue about the fallibility of science he added, "And no one could fake her eyes."

Judging that the team had had time to collect themselves he proceeded, "Ordinarily all four of us present at Ruth's…. er… demise would be under suspicion but…" he waved his hand towards Malcolm who took over the exposition.

"As Ruth appeared and tried to shoot Harry..,"

The rest of that sentence was cut off with a disbelieving ,"What…..". Erin having been witness to the then alleged dying moments found that an impossible proposition to swallow. In fact for a few seconds she seriously considered the possibility that this was some form of undisclosed training exercise. A couple of seconds of further thought informed her that Harry would never have agreed to prostitute Ruth's memory in such a sick cause.

Malcolm having registered this all too likely shock reaction to his announcement was not deflected, other than to remark "Quite – clearly whatever was done to Ruth was with the motive of trying to kill Harry." Allowing a pause for them to digest the implications he continued, "Since the three of you could have abandoned Harry to the mercies of the CIA on the day and have had ample opportunity since to organise any attempt on Harry's life it seems unlikely that any of you were the instigators of this plot."

Dimitri intervened, "Unless of course one of us has since been contacted and turned."

Erin protested, "D really", but whatever she was about to say was halted by Harry holding up his hand "Dmitri has a point, so absurd as any of us find that notion that possibility is exactly why Malcolm is going to undertake investigation."

Malcolm seeing the shocked faces at the very idea that they would attempt to kill Harry gave the group a thin smile. "I have already requested that all the files be sent to me for checking. I'm hopeful that the contents therein will clear you of any attempts at complicity. However as you were all involved in the original incident protocol dictates that an outsider undertakes the investigation."

Having made this stab at reassurance he unbent a little further. "At present I'm operating on the best assumption that Ruth was still just alive when the air ambulance arrived."

Somewhat mollified Erin had a further query. "Harry what has happened to Ruth anyway?" Realising that a certain lack of clarity was attached to this question she amended it to, "I mean after she tried to kill you." With Dmitri following up, "And how is she?"

Harry was struggling to answer these very reasonable questions, springing as they no doubt did from concern for a much-mourned colleague who had patently been the subject to some form of abuse. For security reasons Ruth's whereabouts had to remain top secret, along with her physical and mental condition. On the other hand despite these precautions he really didn't believe any of his team were involved in whatever skullduggery had taken place….but unpalatable memories of the previous and sometimes lethal misjudgements that always lurked just beneath his conscious surface arose, …Elena…he'd been fooled then and Lucas….and….Juliet and … Seeing them waiting for an answer he temporised.

"None of us know what happened to Ruth after she was removed from the estuary. That is the purpose of the investigation. I'll have a more accurate idea of her condition when I've spoken to the medics who are currently running tests."

While the team would have appreciated a less bald narrative of the events of the previous evening the set expression on Harry's face, combined with the closed statements, made it clear that further questions would not be appreciated so they opted to remain silent. If Harry's news had shocked them they could only imagine the effect that Ruth's gun wielding reappearance had generated to Harry.

With the questions from the team completed for now Harry indicated, "Malcolm..."

Malcolm proceeded to outline his intentions, "As I've already stated I've asked for the release of all the files relating to the events surrounding Ruths seeming death. That will include checking all recorded comms and timelines." Checking his own notes he added, "I would however request that all three of you write down individually, without collaboration, your memories relating to the time period between Ruth being stabbed by Sasha Gavrik, her removal by the air ambulance and the extraction of Harry from the site to the secure house pending the cancellation of his extradition."

Erin felt obliged to ask, "Why when it's already recorded?"

Malcolm shot her a quick smile "Two reasons. Firstly no one could have predicted Ruth's death, which means this was opportunist, so I'd like you to revisit the afternoon mentally in view of this developments." Ignoring the shudder from Calum he continued, "You are all different individuals and therefore tend to subconsciously pick up on separate factors." Faced with a set of confused expressions he explained. "Erin you are, if I may say, so a very well dressed woman so I would expect you to automatically note clothing and general appearances of others in a way that perhaps.. er.. Calum and Dmitri might not."

Harry was having a problem. For the first time in twenty four hours he was fighting to suppress a smirk at a statement which, if uttered by anyone other than Malcolm, could have been considered a pop at his Section Chief, once characterised to Harry by a member of Six as "Miss Hairdo and Heels".

He wasn't the only one. Dmitri cutting in to comment "Yes well Calum does resemble a scarecrow."

"While you my friend have an addiction to stuff that looks like bondage gear."

Malcolm choosing to ignore the mutual insult session continued with his thesis, "Calum would be more likely to notice anything relating to IT, while Dmitri with his SBS background might have picked up on some operational inconsistency."

Erin had one further question. "Malcolm I was absent for part of that time in the bunker when we were…" She faltered, uncertain as to how much Malcolm knew of the cover up Harry and Ilya had contrived to ensure that Elena's death was attributed to suicide rather than murder – or if you preferred a more dignified term - assassination by Ilya.

Before Malcolm could reply Harry did so for him. "Only those events you noticed outside the bunker. Nothing that happened inside is likely to be relevant." He had no need to add that as the CIA had only bought the fabricated story with difficulty any whisper hinting at a divergence from the party line could create a diplomatic incident.

With a sigh Malcolm added "Quite. I know asking you to remember at this distance from the events is a long shot but it's worth a try." Gathering up his papers he concluded, "Assuming you are all cleared of any criminal involvement I think we can all agree on one point."

Erin once again took the operational lead, "Which is?" Drawing forth such a very unMalcolm statement that even Harry blinked with shock.

"That we want revenge on whatever set of bastards did this to Ruth."