The Gruinard Project Chapter 46

[khandy]

Chapter 46

Western General Hospital Edinburgh 14.15hrs

Kate wondered at the significance of feeling no shock or surprise at Harry pulling a gun out. Everybody else in the room had been shocked at the development but she had accepted it as if it were perfectly normal. Would she ever be able to return to her sedate life when this was over? The doctor’s eyes were wide with shock and the nurse was trembling violently. Silently she looked at Philip North and nodded at the young nurse who had been looking after Lucas.

Seeing what she meant he went to the nurse’s side.

“These people are not bad people they just have to make decisions that the rest of us couldn’t to keep us safe. If they say this is Lucas’ only chance then it is. They won’t hurt you just let them do this.” He spoke softly. The girls trembling settled slightly.

Kate stood next to Lucas’ bed. She hoped that nobody thought that this was going to be dramatic, like it would be in a movie. If this were Hollywood she would administer the vaccine and Lucas’ eyes was flutter open seconds after she had finished depressing the plunger on the syringe.

She took his hand in hers, her fingers brushing along its long elegant length. How still it seemed, not even a tiny flicker of movement. She sighed quietly remembering how those hands had held and caressed her. Her fingers rested lightly on his pulse. The rhythm was steady 105 beats a minute almost certainly faster than normal, but better than it had been earlier.

“Hey it’s me again. Things around you North are never dull are they? Just thought you should know that Harry has gone all macho. The medics here are cautious and we don’t have the luxury of being cautious, so he is holding them at bay while I try something. That young lad Mike at Welchem he came up trumps and we have found a survivor of this anthrax strain. We have created a vaccine.

“Do you remember when you kidnapped me from the seminar and we had the question and answer session? Well unlike you I am a poor liar you’d see through me so I’m going to tell you the truth. This vaccine is completely untested I have no idea if there will be side effects. I can’t even be sure it will work. The results from the lab tests are promising but nothing more. So I am going to give you this vaccine and I can’t guarantee it will be successful but we have to try something. I have your family’s blessing and I hope I have yours.”

Kate explained to the family that there would be no dramatic recovery it would be several days before they would know if the vaccine had worked. She then withdrew a measured dose of the vaccine and prepared to inject Lucas with it.

Russell Phillips sat in stunned silence, his eyes wide with fear were focused on the man with the gun. The gun that was aimed at him. It occurred to him that these were no ordinary police officers; hell the man with the gun looked more like a school teacher. He supposed they were a part of the security services.

He watched the young woman with grudging respect. He’d accused her of being unethical but she had given Lucas’ family the whole truth about the vaccine and had spoken to him explaining what she was doing. There was no doubting her feelings for the man lying on the bed. He wondered how difficult this was for her. He was left with no option but to admire her courage. He wasn’t sure that he could have done what she was doing if it had been his wife lying sick.

It seemed as if everybody in the room was holding their breath as Kate injected the solution. Once she had finished she turned to Lucy North.

“Now all we can do is watch and wait.”

“I know you said there would be nothing dramatic but would there be any indications that this might work/” Lucy North reached for Kate’s hand.

Kate glanced at Lucas’ face fighting to keep her emotions under control.

“If he doesn’t die in the next 12 hrs then in may indicate that this might work. What Lucas needs now is for Doctor Phillips to put aside his understandable anger at what has just happened here and continue to give the excellent medical care that Lucas has received up to now. Can you do that?”

Russell Phillips stood watching Harry all the time.

“Dr Masters what you have just done is highly unethical and I am not sure had I been in your shoes that I could have done it. You have had to make a choice that I hope I never have to make. As unethical as you have been it would be even more unethical for me to withdraw treatment now.” He turned to Harry. “Do you think you could just lower that weapon and be as honest with me as Dr Masters has been with Lucas? You are not just policemen like I have been told are you?”

Harry slowly lowered the gun, put the safety on and returned it to the clip at the small of his back.

“No, I am Harry Pearce head of counter terrorism MI5. I’m sorry I had to play the heavy but Lucas deserves this chance, he has sacrificed more for this country than any man I know. No hard feelings?” Harry held out his hand.

The doctor smiled, how bizarre it was to shake hand with somebody who until a few moments ago had been holding a gun on him.

“You and the nurse will have to sign the official secrets act, what happened in this room has to stay in this room you can discuss it with nobody.

The doctor nodded, not at all surprised by what the man was saying they would have to do.

Harry crossed to Kate’s side.

“I should tell you to get some sleep but I have a feeling that you won’t listen to me. Stay with Lucas, keep me posted of any change ok?” He touched Lucas’ hand. “You do as you’re told I am holding you to the promise that you will be my best man.”

Harry reached for the vaccine.

“For Mugabe,” he said at her questioning look.

“I totally forgot about him. Harry this vaccine will need to be given to him immediately. If it isn’t the disease process will be irreversible. There isn’t time to see if this works for Lucas, Mugabe would be dead before we’d know.” Kate told him

“Ok I will speak to the Home and Foreign Secretaries so that they can discuss this with the Zimbabwean officials and the doctors looking after the President. Give me the vaccine Kate you stay with Lucas.” Harry took the small bottle and saying goodbye to Lucas’ family headed off to speak with the people looking after Mugabe

“I’m sure Kate would like some time alone with Lucas,” Phillip North said. “We should grab some breakfast.” He squeezed her shoulder. “Thank you for everything you are trying to do for Lucas.” He dropped a kiss lightly on her cheek.

Lucas wanted to smile, his Dad was such a charmer. It was so frustrating not to be able to let them know he could hear them and it was agony not to let Kate know how grateful he was that she was back; not to let her know how much he loved her.

He tried to move his hand to let her know that he could hear her, that he knew she was there, but the sedation was too strong. He felt a cool cloth on his face and her murmured words telling him what she was doing. He relaxed against the touch of her hand and for the first time he slept.

West General Hospital Deserted Basement Office 15.00hrs

The three men were talking quietly. It was unlikely they were being overheard but they were taking no chances.

One of the men held the small bottle in his hand.

“Let me get this right. This vaccine has been developed completely in secret. The only people who know of its existence are MI5, Lucas North’s family, Dr Phillips and Sister Roberts?”

“That’s correct and North’s family and the medics will have to sign the official secrets act.” The man who answered was small and non descript

“It is highly experimental and may not work is that correct?” He was the senior man of the group so he had to be certain he had the facts correct before he made a decision.

“Yes that is right,” the smaller man answered.

“So the question is do we take the chance that it may work or do we substitute it for a fake vaccine?” The Senior man asked the question out loud but both the others knew they were not expected to answer.

“Somebody went to a lot of trouble to get rid of him and without this they will have succeeded. The people of Zimbabwe would be better of without him. However if we do this he will have died on British soil and we would have no culprit to give to the Zimbabwean government. They won’t like that.”

“We could invent a fake African terrorist organisation and blame them. Six could receive a tip off which we would pass on to Five who would spend time investigating and getting nowhere. After all, the entire western world has been unable to catch Bin Laden, so who is going to be concerned when we don‘t catch this one? He will just be one more terrorist who has evaded justice.” The man who spoke was the youngest man present.

“That could work. Harry Pearce would have to be kept out of the loop. He would have to think this was genuine.” The senior man spoke again.

“We will have no problem in fooling Five we have been doing that for years.” The younger man grinned cockily.

“Ok are we agreed that this is the way forward?” The other two nodded.

“Right substitute this,” the man continued as he handed him the small bottle. “Inject Mugabe with the substitute. The Zimbabweans must believe we are doing all we can to save him.”

“Ok I will get right on to that.”

“I will set up the fake terrorist claim,” the younger man said.

Happy with the plan they left the basement by the fire exit and disappeared.

Communication Suite Gleneagles Hotel 18.00hrs.

Malcolm was tracking the usual internet chatter; waiting and watching for some group to claim responsibility for the attack. It was odd that so far there had been nothing; normally every Tom Dick and Bin Laden would be claiming responsibility.

He was in contact with Ruth who was still in London tracking Sands’ movements. It seemed he had been to the George V and by the length of time he was inside he had lunched with somebody. She was waiting for information about who dined that day.

The internet silence broke just as Malcolm was considering handing over for the evening. Harry and Ros walked into the communication suite just as he was about to contact them.

“Internet has woken up some group called the African Coalition Alliance is claiming responsibility,” Malcolm said as they walked over.

“Six have just contacted Ros with the same information. They say one of their assets suggested they look at this group. We have a name of the suspected leader Cashile Abrafo. What do we know about them?” Harry handed over a grainy black and white photo.

“Nothing at all. They are either small time or a new group. I will do a search, see what I can come up with.” Malcolm turned back to the com station.

“Six feel they have to let the Zimbabwean government know of the developments. I suppose I should be grateful that we don’t have to come up with a fake suspect to distract them.”

“I’ll speak to Jo, see if she can come up with any link between Sands and this Cashile Abrafo.” Ros moved to an empty desk.

“I’ll contact Ruth I want to keep her in the loop and I told her I would keep her updated about Lucas.” Harry said.

Malcolm turned

“How is he Harry?”

“Holding on. He has had the vaccine as has Mugabe. All we can do now is watch and wait,” Harry replied.

“And Kate how is she holding up?”

“Better than I have any right to expect. If Lucas…” his voive broke slightly. “If Lucas doesn’t make it I’m not sure how she will cope.”

Harry turned away dialling Ruth he walked out of the room.

“He is taking this harder than I expected Malcolm” Ros asked, when Harry had left.

“Well Lucas was the first field officer to join after Harry became section leader. Harry spotted him trained him. Lucas’ imprisonment was very difficult for Harry he suspected a mole but could never find out who it was. Harry blames himself for Lucas’ incarceration and now this. Who knows what it is doing to him? Add in Ruth’s return and well his emotions must be everywhere.”

“I guess.”

They worked in silence for an hour or more before Harry returned.

Thames House London 19.00

The Grid was quiet only a few officers were on the floor. Ruth was glad for the quiet as parts of the long conversation she’d had with Harry she would not have wanted overheard. She was glad that Harry had called because she felt out on a limb down here on The Grid. Even if she had not loved him it would have been good to touch base but now they had confessed their feelings for each other it had been so much more. She had listen with interested to the news that there was a possible African terrorist connection and was soon at work trying to find out who Sands was meeting.

“Tariq,” Ruth called to the system analyst she was working with while Malcolm was in Scotland. “Do we have those restaurant bookings yet?”

He pushed his chair across from his desk to hers.

“They are just coming through now.”

Ruth glanced at him. Lord he was young. He looked about fifteen, even though she knew him to be twenty two, it was difficult to believe. Heaven knows what Ros would make of him. He was good though she had to acknowledge that.

“Can you copy the names and check all the five star hotels in London for the last three weeks to see if any of our Parisian lunchers have been in London? We know Sands had a meeting in the UK as well as France.”

“Ok. Did Harry say how the officer who was injured was?”

“Lucas? Holding on apparently.”

“He’s new like you isn’t he?” Tariq had worked for MI5 a little over two years and had noticed both Lucas’ and Ruth’s arrival.

“No he is old like me. We have just been away from The Grid. So no thinking I’m a newbie. Let’s get back to work.”

Communication Suite Gleneagles Hotel 21.00hrs

The Home Secretary paused momentarily to catch his breath before entering the suite hoping Harry Pearce was still here.

He opened the door with such force that all the operatives inside looked up.

“Harry a word in private if you please?”

Harry shared a brief glance with Ros before they passed through the connecting door to the other room.

“Robert Mugabe is dead. He arrested thirty minutes ago.”

Harry moved and opened the door before the Home Secretary could say anything else

“Ros.” She walked over to the room.

“Get over to the Western General, Mugabe is dead. I want a guard on Lucas’ room and Kate shouldn’t be alone.”

“Ok Harry but why the guard? ”

“Just in case the Zimbabweans decide to get some revenge, after all they are only down the corridor.”

Ros nodded and left telling Jo to stay in touch.

Harry turned back.

“So what happened Nicholas?”

“The doctors said the vaccine was administered too late to halt the illness. He just arrested and died.” The Home Secretary paused. “Lucas is far younger and fitter than Mugabe he could still beat this.”

“I wish I believed that.”

“I need something to give the Zimbabwean government.”

“Six have given us the name of a group who are now claiming responsibility and we have a name.”

“Good.”

“Really? I’d say convenient.” Harry looked at the Home Secretary carefully.

“You don’t think it is legit?”

“I am just passing on the information we have, obviously we are validating this claim so I am declining to comment further on its legitimacy.”

“Word games Harry.”

“No Home Secretary, it’s the truth. It is convenient, you can tell the Zimbabweans this is not our problem but I need more evidence.”

“Well I have to get the Zimbabweans offthe PM’s back. So you search for your evidence I am going to speak to the PM.”

The Western General Hospital 48hrs later. 18.00hrs

She was alone with him again. His family had gone for supper, Marcus and Helen were doing the night shift tonight. With every passing hour of the last forty hours she dared to hope. When Mugabe had died they all feared the worst and she couldn’t be moved from Lucas’ side but his condition remained the same.

Sometimes she read to him; his beloved Blake but also Browning to annoy him. His mother had brought in Lord of the Rings which was a favourite from childhood. Other times she just talked of trivial things or read the papers. There were times though that she just held his hand stroking his fingers, her touch alone letting him know that she was there. This was one of those moments just her and him hands linked intricately so it wasn’t possible to tell where her hand began and his finished.

The door opened and she smiled as Jo and Ros entered; they came most evenings to tell her and Lucas what developments there had been.

“How’s the patient today any change at all?” Ros asked.

“Yeah his renal function is a little better and they have reduced his sedation and his dopamine. I am starting to believe not just hope. How about you guys any news?”

Lucas listened as Ros spoke about the leads they were chasing. It seemed that they were struggling to come up with any definite leads. Jo interrupted telling Kate that the only person they had known at the George V was Philip Russell the entrepreneur.

At the sound of the name Lucas felt himself hurtle back to the conference room. It was as if he could walk around it studying everybody. His eyes rested on delegate after delegate until they came to rest on Philip Russell’s face. This was what had puzzled Lucas, he looked triumphant and certainly was not sick like the others. This man was in Paris at the same time as Sands. It was purely instinctive but Lucas was certain he was the person behind it all.

He had to let them know. He focused on his hand held in Kate’s. If he could move it a little perhaps she would realise how important Philip Russell was. It was exhausting to try and move, his limbs felt heavy and numb. He strained with the effort but felt no movement.

Kate realised first because his heart rate went up and then a breath sounded independent from the ventilator.

“He’s taking spontaneous breaths, he is coming round.” She pressed the buzzer at his side.

“Typical Lucas waking while we discuss work,” Ros said through misty eyes.

Kate turned and looked at her.

“What?” Ros asked.

“What was that name you said Jo, the entrepreneur?”

“Philip Russell.” Jo told her.

Again Lucas took an extra breath and Kate fancied his hand moved. What was he trying to tell her, maybe he thought they meant the Doctor as the names were similar? It was then it dawned on her.

“Ros I think Lucas is trying to tell us something about Philip Russell. When they intubated him he called out that name, I thought he meant the doctor as the name was so similar but it‘s not it‘s Philip Russell.”

Lucas gasped again and his eyes opened. Kate had done it. Now all he could hope was that Ros would realise.

[BravoNine]

YAY! Now they've got Philip Russell! Please please have him being hit by a baseball bat! It would give me endless satisfaction to hear the "thunk" sound as the bat connects to his skull!

Lucas is coming back to us! YAY!

[HellsBells]

Yet another great chapter, thanks khandy. Lucas is coming around....yes!