"We should get you to a doctor. I’m sorry, I may have hurt you in the fall"

"Bette you saved my life. Twice. Don’t start apologising!"

Bette managed a smile "Right. Let’s get you to the hospital. I’ll call us a cab"

While Bette phoned for a cab, Tina rolled over onto her back, wincing in pain. She couldn’t quite get her head round what had just happened, it seemed like something from the movies. No sooner had she hung up the phone to the cab company Bette was calling Peggy.

"Bette, any news?"

"It’s got worse. Someone cut the brakes in Tina’s car, then followed us on a motorcycle and took some shots at us. When that failed they went round the block and tried again" Bette said matter-of-factly.

"Are either of you hurt?"

"Neither of us took a hit. But Tina seems to have jarred her back when we had to dive to dodge the bullets. I’m taking her to the hospital now to get it checked out"

"Ok, well keep me updated. I’ve had Agents Fairbanks and Piezecki check out Marina Ferrer’s apartment, but they’ve found nothing conclusive She has a number of chemicals that could be used as poison, but most people have the same household chemicals. But she does have a firearms license"

"As do half of America’s citizens these days. I don’t think we should be limiting ourselves. We’ve been fucking shot at Peggy. I’m not taking any chances" Bette struggled to avoid raising her voice so as not to scare Tina any more.

"I know. And that’s why you’re not to leave her side Bette. You’re my best Agent, and I need you to be on constant vigilance Trust no-one"

"It goes without saying" Bette said quietly. It was a phrase she’d heard many times before, and something she’d come to terms with after a while. At first it was hard. Every new Agent struggled with the fact that anyone around them could be a suspect. But now she’d learned to turn her emotions off, to be cold to everyone around her. They didn’t call her the Ice Queen for nothing.

"Ok Bette. Well keep me updated"

"Will do"

Bette hung up the phone and sighed. She looked over at Tina who managed a weak smile. The cab pulled up and Bette helped Tina to her feet and into the back seat. They remained in silence for the journey, neither wanting to give anything away to the driver.