“You listen to me Cobb, you murdering bastard it’s shoot to kill as far as you’re concerned, but my god we’ll make it last so you run… We’ll be on you in a minute…"
Cobb flicked the radio off. The first thought that entered his head was to dump the vehicle.
It took the police ten minutes to get a chopper to the scene and by then Cobb had entered Horley. He parked up in a street near the station, driving onto an empty driveway and under its covered car port. He took the black nylon gun bag out of the boot, put the MP5 and some ammunition in, along with the contents of his own bag, the assassin’s bag of tricks, and walked quickly, but calmly to the railway station. He had a bare five minute wait for a train and DIC, unaware of his near police uniform look, desperately scouring the CCTV around Gatwick, missed him.
He then took a short trip as far as Merstham, detrained and following enemy evasion tactics decided to head some distance on foot. He headed for the sound of the motorway and finding the M25 disappeared into the shrubbery around its edge. He began following the M25 knowing that it would lead him closer to central London.
The police helicopters searched a grid of ever increasing circles yet in spite of thermal imaging equipment they weren’t successful as Cobb had gone beyond the outer circle of their search and not every hot body image amongst trees, near the motorway or not, could be investigated.
Chapter 60
London Euston Tower
12 Noon
April 18th
Jack Fulton watched the midday news in the screen banked room. It was a horror story of failure and foolishness.
The BBC news was awash with bodies and massed armed security. The Manchester Arndale bomb alert, news of the morning, and the subsequent alert at Manchester Airport was eclipsed by the Gatwick high security alert, which, with the added drama of the shootings, was the main story. In addition footage of police at Hamilton Race track removing the body of the truck driver, grisly scenes of the covered body removed from the refrigerated van in Inverness and police divers bobbing near a boat on the Moray Firth as a crane pulled a taxi, bleeding seawater, up and around to land were only eclipsed by the sight of the wrecked traffic police Volvo pursuit car buried nose down and police struggling to lift a bagged body up the wet muddy sides of Beech Bottom Dyke.
When it came to Glasgow Buchanon bus station there were pictures of blood on the floor and interviews with witnesses. The news reader turned to screen.
“These suspects are leaving in their wake a trail of bodies. Security services have accounted for two of the five hunted men whose aim and objective is as yet unknown. We are expecting a statement from Tarquin Robinson Home Office Minister, within the next ten minutes, we’ll bring you that live when it begins.”
Fulton was pulled from his entranced viewing of the news by the ring of his phone. Shadz, Jaz and Tony had finally landed, after obvious delays, at Gatwick. Jack told them to get to Euston and report to him in his office.
Chapter 61
London MI6 Offices
12 Noon
April 18th
“We have very little information at the moment regarding the intentions of the possible terrorists and their intended targets. Needless to say we are very concerned about the number of deaths related to their entry into the country. I cannot at this time say how many of them there are nor obviously give any more information about those we are aware of. We have three that we know about and pictures have been released to the press. We warn member of the public, if they see these men, to keep well clear and contact the police. The men are armed and dangerous. Our sympathy goes out to the families of those who have been so callously murdered and rest assured we will bring these men to justice. That’s all.” Tarquin Robinson, home office minister ended his press statement.
Sternway switched off the small portable television in his office after watching Robinson and turned to the two men in front of him. He leaned elbows on his desk and put his two neatly manicured hands together in what looked like prayer, resting his nose on the steeple of finger tips, his eyes clearly focused on the gap between the two standing men.
“You bloody well chose them and they’re committing mass murder out there. There are dead police, dead civilians and one dead DIC operative, not to mention thefts of cars, money and shoplifting; oh and one dead police dog.”
“We weren’t to know it was going to go this way.” Joe said quietly
“No. They do seem keen. You don’t think we’ve offered too much?” Sternway asked.
“No men like these come at a price and when the first or last man so to speak, if it comes to that, hears the details of the job they’ll expect a lot.”
“I’m going to have a hard time making good this damage if it comes to light.”
“Only DIC could possibly get any evidence and we’ll make sure they don’t.” Joe said firmly.
“Good point. No more talk over phones, in fact no more talk within possible range of any kind of radio mike and have a team sweep my house and our office section for bugs.” Sternway looked at each man in turn. “This had better work. As for that maniac Cobb I’d rather he didn’t make it. His capture or death will at least satisfy DIC and the public. He’s near London, so he may get to the contact point first. Have the contact set him up in a hotel and then when that’s done let the police know where he is. That’s all, you can go.” Sternway turned to the window and his men left the room. The extermination or E order had been given on Cobb
London
Home Office
1 p.m.
April 18th
“Yes Prime Minister. We are making progress. DIC do seem to be a step behind though as far as I can tell. I’ll keep you posted. I’ll prepare to make statement.”
Robinson put the phone down and reached into the inside pocket of his tailored suit. His permanent secretary often joked that Robinson’s tailor charged overtime rates for the making of the suits.
Robinson pulled out the Bic ‘disposable’ cell phone and rang the only number in the memory.
“Hello sir.” Before Robinson could speak the voice said sharply, “No names please.”
“Hello. I’m extremely unhappy at the way things are turning out.”
“I was sure you would be hence the item you are at this moment holding and the current conversation. As far as I’m concerned it’s going well.”
“The publicity is appalling and the… top man has just spoken to me and he’s unhappy.”
“Is he unhappy with you?”
“Not any more I pointed out who he ought to be unhappy with.”
“Good then the purpose is being served.”
“There are a good too many… Bodies…”
“Collateral damage as our friends across the Atlantic have so beautifully named it. In my business that’s usual.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to stop now?”
“Such a waste if we do and ultimately it’ll give more power to those who desire it and an end to such an inconvenience.”
“I’m still unsure.”
“Think of it as you being the manager of the winning team. We are a team aren’t we sir?”
Robinson sighed and thought hard. It was an outcome he’d be pleased about, it was the process that was bothering him.
“Yes.”
“Hang on to the item, but dispose of it if it becomes necessary. Feel free to chat again, though not too frequently.”
“I will.”
The lined went dead.
At his end Sternway looked at the orange Bic disposable cell phone and his mouth twisted in distaste. They all had a lot to gain with this. He felt sure that his plan would work. The old boy ought to have more guts. Sternway suddenly laughed, one of his rare laughs, very rare, but the unintended pun really tickled him.