5

The Visit

Harry parked the 4x4 near the walkway to Kensington Gardens, knowing that neither he nor Ros really wanted to be there. Relations with the Russians were at an all time low so going to get information from the FSB head in London was not going to be easy. Harry sighed as he looked over to where Ros was sat.

"You think this girl is really a sleeper?"

"New name, new life." Ros sighed. "She wouldn't be the first person to want to get as far away from her father as possible."

"True." Harry paused, knowing it was still a sore subject. Ros had joined them under a cloud, one which she still bore the scars from. He knew it was pointless to tell her that her actions back then hadn't been her fault. Ros would never forgive herself for Colin's murder or Ruth's exile not to mention Jo's death. There was no point in trying to persuade her otherwise.

"Come on, lets see what Vlad the Inhaler has for us." Ros stepped out of the car before Harry could say another word.

xxxxxx

"New wheels?" Henry asked as Catherine looked over to him. She rolled her eyes before turning her chair to face him.

"Yeah. Henry, what are you really doing here?" She watched him. "I grew up with you whisking my Dad off to God knows where."

"All of which you now have clearance to read about." Henry raised an eyebrow. "And the bits and bobs you don't have clearance for are no match for you. Ruth has trained you well."

Catherine raised an eyebrow as Dimitri and Alec stepped through the Pods. "And you are still the consummate spook. Never answer a question with a definitive answer." Alec headed towards her, calling her name as Calum handed her a coffee.

"Can you read this?" Alec handed her the memory stick Laine had given him as Catherine nodded. Henry smiled.

"No rest for the wicked, eh Lass?"

Calum raised an eyebrow before deciding that whatever the old spook had been asking his wife wasn't worth the effort. Catherine turned the memory stick over in her hand, silently praying that whatever was on it had the answers they needed.

xxxxxxxxxxx

Ros walked through the doors of the Russian Embassy with Harry at her side knowing that Vlad would be the one person who would do anything to avoid a meeting with them. She flashed the young blonde woman on the Reception desk a tight smile before walking straight past her. The receptionist called out to her and Harry but they ignored the young woman before heading through Security.

"We are expected." Harry stated confidently as the Security Guard glared at him. Ros narrowed her eyes.

"Your boss knows we are here." Ros stated. "Blondie over there will have made several phone calls by now to alert Vlad to our arrival. I suggest you step aside like a good boy and let us pass."

The man glared at Ros as Harry smirked.

"I suggest you do as the lady asks." Harry advised as he sensed Ros tense next to him. The idea that the petite blonde woman was not in the least intimidated threw the Security Guard for a moment as Harry watched him move slightly to the left. Harry nodded his thanks as Ros glared. She held the man's gaze for a moment before tapping him on the chest.

"Good boy." She smirked before walking towards where Harry was now waiting for her.

xxxxxxxxxxx

"Ah." The thin man looked up from his desk as Harry and Ros let themselves into the office. "I did not know you were having a visit here today."

"I know." Harry paused as he reached the desk. Ros hung back, leaning against the door. Being in the same room as the office's occupant made her feel physically sick. Glaring at him she decided to let Harry do the talking.

"Tatiana Petrov." Harry stated. Vlad shrugged.

"You know the name." Ros stated.

"What is a dead girl to you?" He paused.

"Nightingale."

"Are we just saying words now? You say nightingale, I say tree?"

"No." Ros pushed herself away from the door, deciding to take charge. "You know she isn't dead and you know she may have links to a banned terrorist organisation that has been funded by Russian oligarchs in the UK."

"Petrov's father was important to us. The child not so much."

"Where is she?" Harry paused.

"Saint Petersburg cemetery."

"Really?" Harry paused. "So, if I were to send officers to have her body exhumed. Which I may well do, it would be her bones I dug up?" Harry glared at him. "Come on Vlad, you can do better than this. You and me, we are Cold War relics. We know what went on back then. Petrov killed his wife and his daughter ran."

"Can't blame her." Ros stated as Vlad looked shaken.

"You have no authority to do that in Russia. The way your country has behaved towards mine.."

"Makes us look like angels compared to you." Harry stated. "Come on Vlad. Is Petrov linked to Nightingale. Tell us what we need to know or I am going to dig. Literally."

Vlad ran a hand over his face as if considering his options.

"You cannot do this."

"Try me." Ros narrowed her eyes.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Adam walked along the edge of the shopping centre knowing that to anyone who saw him there was nothing suspicious to see. Beth handed him the can of pop she had just bought from a small burger van as the man they were following stepped towards the taxi rank.

"One of Ruth's friends?" Beth asked.

Adam nodded, knowing the Spook Cabs Ruth had cultivated years earlier was still active. The resource had been invaluable over the years Adam had known about it. They watched the stocky man get into the back of a cab. Adam opened his can before tapping his ear.

"We have eyeball." He read out the number plate of the car as Will's voice came through the comms.

"On it."

"Do not lose him." Malcolm's voice came through their ear piece.

"Don't intend to." Will answered. "Come on Tommy Parks, where are you leading me?" He whispered as he pulled out into traffic hoping that they would get the answers they needed.