Light of the Sun: They always make a mistake and when they do, we kill them...

by David Costa

  ‘This fucker has got away before. Canary Wharf is a busy place, and we have the woman, we can use her to help us spot him.’

  ‘OK, I can get you a Gazelle, where do you want it?’

  Reece had flown in the RAF Gazelle helicopter many times, but he knew it only had five seats, the pilot and a spotter up front and three passengers.

  ‘We can get to the top end of Hyde Park near to Marble Arch.’

  ‘Leave it with me it will be there in fifteen minutes.’

  ‘We will be there, and can you make sure there is an ATO at Canary Wharf, I have a feeling we are going to need one. The one here is following up on the bomb that has just gone off making sure there are no other devices. No matter what this woman tells us I don’t trust the Arab and I don’t trust her.’

  ‘Roger will do,’ replied Broad.

  Reece turned to the others who were all hearing the conversation over their own radios. Yasmin was sitting in the back of the transit her hands tied with plastic cuffs.

  ‘Steve and Palo go with the troop and use their sirens and lights to get across London as quickly as you can to Canary Wharf. I’ll take Anna and Yasmin in the chopper and will be there before you. We will use Yasmin to help us identify the Arab and his friend, hopefully you will get there in time to take them out, if not, we will have to stop them on our own. Geoff Middleton already has an SAS team there. The more people we have the better.’

  Reece leant in the door of the transit.

  ‘Yasmin, you’re coming with me.’

  Chapter 31

  The Arab and Hassan had continued their journey with Hassan walking a few yards behind the Arab. Outside the City of Westminster College, they had taken a taxi to Baker Street station, where once again, they separated before entering the station and the CCTV camera coverage. Keeping a distance between them, they had taken a Tube train on the Jubilee Line to Canary Wharf. The journey of almost one hour, brought them into the station at 12.30 just as the bomb had gone off at the apartment. They left the station and, with Hassan still behind, crossed over the road disappearing into the crowds of workers and tourists that filled the streets and walkways of Canary Wharf.

  The Arab decided to use the next half hour to check out possible locations to leave the device, look for security surveillance, both people and cameras.

  He crossed over Upper Bank Street and walked past the large building that was the home of Citibank UK then turned left and walked along the South Colonnade to the iconic skyscraper that was One Canada Square. He crossed over the square passing the Canary Wharf DLR Station and on into the shopping centre at Cabot Square. The square was named after John Cabot and his son Sebastian, Italian explorers who had settled in England in 1484. He had read on the Internet that Cabot Square is one of the largest in Canary Wharf. Passing the large fountain in the centre he knew that the inner perimeter had more fountains and was surrounded by trees, which would make it more difficult for observation via CCTV. What made it more interesting for the Arab was he knew there was a large car park under the square with glass ventilation holes to allow the car exhaust gasses to escape. He stopped by one of the fountains and sat down on the park bench. Turning he waved for Hassan to join him.

  ‘We have made good time my child. Now it is time to complete our mission. I’ve not seen any of the enemy.’

  Hassan looked around him. The rain had stayed away and now there seemed to be hundreds of people walking about. It would be almost impossible to spot surveillance in this crowd.

  ‘Where have all these people come from?’ he asked.

  ‘You have to remember my child this is the very heart of the financial district of London. All these tall buildings hold thousands of offices and employees working there. It’s lunchtime now and they walk about looking for their coffee lounges and restaurants. Our target is not just these buildings and banks but the very people who work in them, the same people and banks that have financed the killing of our women and children.’

  ‘What about the Princess. When will she arrive?’

  ‘According to our friend in the Embassy, she will be here at three, just around the same time we will send them a message from Allah they will never forget.’

  Just then the roar of a low flying helicopter brought their eyes to the sky. The machine was flying low and appeared to be coming down to land somewhere nearby.

  ‘Maybe the enemy is awake. We should find cover and set the timer. Follow me,’ said the Arab.

  Reece, Anna, and Yasmin had kept their heads down when they boarded the French Aerospatiale Gazelle helicopter when it had landed in Hyde Park, not far from Marble Arch. Reece could still hear many sirens above the noise made by the fast-whirling blades as they sped through the city, placing important areas into lockdown and the troop transit was now on its way to Canary Wharf. Strapping themselves in behind the two crewmen, Anna and Reece took the outside seats with Yasmin in the middle. Within seconds the machine took off and turned towards the Thames to follow the winding river towards the Isle of Dogs or as Reece knew it Canary Wharf. Looking at his watch he saw that it was almost 1 pm. Talking into the mic on the headphones they were all wearing, Reece decided to use the time to ask Yasmin more questions.

  ‘Yasmin, can you hear me?’ he asked above the noise of the aircraft. She nodded.

  ‘What is the plan. What are they going to do now?’

  Her voice when it came sounded weak and the radio static did not help.

  ‘I only know they have a device like mine. They intend to set the timing switch at one to have the bomb go off at three, when they hope to be far away.’

  ‘Where will they place the device?’ asked Reece.

  ‘I don’t know.’

  ‘You must know, you must have heard them talk about things and what they’re going to do.’ He could see her lip drop and the tears start to well up once more, but he couldn’t be sympathetic. The helicopter banked to the right, and he could see that they were getting lower almost touching the rooftops of buildings.

  ‘OK, tell me why Canary Wharf?’

  ‘All the Teacher said was that they were going to deal a blow to the financial system in the West. He also said that a Princess would be there about the same time.’

  Reece knew she was trying to be helpful. He had seen the same in many agents he had turned in the past who wanted to change their lives. Only in this case he believed it was too late for her, she’d gone too far down the rabbit hole.

  ‘So, the device is the same as the one you had?’

  Again, he could see from her expression she was thinking and wanted to tell him everything she knew.

  ‘It’s different. The Teacher placed sticks of plutonium in the bag with the device. He said it would disperse into the air with the explosion, that was the reason the timer was set to give them plenty of time to get to safety.’

  ‘Where will they go?’

  ‘All he said was that we were all to get transport to Bristol and book into any hotel there, where we could link up later.’

  Reece could feel that the pilot was pulling slightly back on the controls, and they were slowing down getting ready to land. He looked out of the window and could see a large, grassed square between the skyscrapers and people in military and police uniforms pushing the public back to clear the landing area. Within a minute they were on the ground and opening the doors. Two men in military uniform ran up to Reece as he stepped down from his side of the aircraft, while Anna, took Yasmin out of the other side, her hands still tied with plastic cuffs. All three kept their heads down and moved out of range of the turning blades allowing the aircraft to lift vertically into the grey sky once more. As the noise died down Reece could see that one of the military men was Geoff Middleton.

  ‘Good to see you David and you have one of our friends with you.’

  ‘I’m sure you mean Yasmin here and not Anna.’ Reece smiled.

  ‘Correct, although I’m glad to see Anna,’ he replied smiling at Anna as she approached holdi
ng Yasmin’s arm.

  ‘Where are we here? Any sightings of our friends?’

  ‘No sighting yet, but we have this part pretty much tied down between ourselves and the police. The Princess is opening offices in One Canada Square at three and we’ve been told she refuses to change her plans.’

  Reece brought up a google map on his phone. The location arrow showed they’d landed in Jubilee Place.

  ‘This is a big area; we are a bit far from One Canada Square. When we were coming in, I could see there was many people about. That might be a problem when it comes to spotting our friends. Yasmin has told me they’re probably already here. We do not know the exact target, but we do know if they’re on schedule, they’re setting a two-hour timer at 1pm on the device which is connected to the plutonium to give them time to get well away before it goes off. That is one of the reasons I brought Yasmin along, she knows them and if she spots them, then we have a chance.’

  ‘There is a communications van in One Canada Square. I’ve been in it, and you wouldn’t believe the radio and surveillance equipment it has. I would get over there if I were you, they might be able to help her spot our friends on the CCTV. I have our transit on the road it can get us there quickly.’

  Reece looked at his watch as he jogged to the transit alongside Middleton and the trooper followed by Anna and Yasmin, the digital display showed 12.55.

  ‘If they’re here already, then we have five minutes before they set the timer running.’

  Three minutes later Reece, Yasmin and Anna were in the back of the large HGV size communications van. Middleton wasn’t exaggerating when he said it was well equipped.

  Reece immediately recognised one of the two men sitting in front of the monitors.

  ‘Jonesy, what are you doing here?’ He had last seen Constable Jones doing the same job in the command room at the Conservative Conference in Manchester when the SG9 team had tracked down a terrorist squad and prevented the assassination of the Prime Minister. Then Jonesy as Reece had called him was doing the same job monitoring screens trying to identify suspects.

  ‘Hello, Mister Reece. I decided the Gold Commander in Manchester was such a dickhead I just had to get away. London called and here I am.

  ‘Great to have you on-board Jonesy. I presume you’re up to date with who we are looking for?’

  ‘Yes, sir. We have been looking and using facial recognition but so far nothing. There is a lot of people about so fingers crossed.’

  ‘Everything crossed Jonesy and I’m not a Sir just call me David and as you’re probably linked into our comms, Alpha One as well.’

  Reece was looking over Jonesy’s’ shoulder at the screens and could see the problem. He suspected the crowds not only included shoppers, tourists, and workers but the extra people drawn to the prospect of seeing the Princess Royal.

  ‘Tell me Jonesy does any of these screens do a playback showing say the last half hour of footage?’

  ‘Yes, the one in the corner can do that and it can be divided into a four-square screen showing different angles and footage.’

  ‘Can you get in front of it and run it through for us?’

  ‘No problem,’ said Jones, moving chairs and manoeuvring the mouse on the pad to show the four screens on the monitor. He typed on the keyboard and Reece could see all four screens flicker as the timers in the corner showed 12.30. Jones pressed another button and the screens started to run their pictures at normal speed.

  Reece pulled two chairs and placed them behind Jones he pointed for Yasmin to sit in one while he sat in the other; Anna stood behind them. They were watching the screens over Jones’ shoulder and Reece noticed each camera view on the screen was also imprinted with the name of the area it was covering, One Canada Square, Cabot Square, Churchill Place, and Columbus Courtyard. Reece looked at his watch again, 13.00. If the Arab was on schedule, he had just armed the bomb and started the countdown.

  Chapter 32

  The helicopter had passed over the square and by the sound of its engine the Arab knew it was preparing to land. The noise in the distance died down as both men walked through the doors into the Cabot Square shopping center. The Arab once more walked in front of Hassan. Leading the way, he could see a lift ahead and a sign which showed the types of shops on the upper floors, but he wasn’t interested in the shops. Looking at the bottom of the sign he could see a downward pointing arrow and the words ‘Underground Carpark’.

  He pressed the lift button and waited with Hassan standing behind him. Both men entered the lift when it came, and the Arab pressed the button for the car park. They were the only two in the lift. The Arab turned to look into the eyes of his student.

  ‘Now my son, I will not be getting out with you. The mission is now in your hands. Find a place under the air vents in the car park, set the timers and leave. I will meet you in Bristol or Tehran. Allah bless you and be with you this day.’

  ‘Thank you, Teacher, Allah akbar.’

  ‘Allah akbar.’ replied the Arab as the lift doors opened.

  As Hassan left the lift as two men got in to join the Arab on the upward journey to the first floor of the centre. Looking at his watch he noted that it was almost one o’clock. He put his hand in his pocket and wrapped it around the gun, he knew this was the time of most danger.

  ‘You said your name is Joseph,’ said Yasmin who had been listening to the conversation between Reece and Jones.

  ‘I have many names and many faces Yasmin, a bit like your teacher. Now I want you to concentrate on these screens. Find your friends and maybe this day will end a little better for all of us.’

  Yasmin leant closer to look at the screens, taking her eyes away from Reece, she had seen something similar in his eyes to the Teacher’s, now she realised what it was, death.

  ‘I’m going for a walk around the square,’ said Anna.

  As she was leaving the van Reece called on her to not go too far.

  The phone in his pocket buzzed and Reece could see from the screen it was Broad calling.

  ‘Yes boss,’ he replied.

  ‘Anything David? Everyone is getting a bit jittery now we’ve passed the one mark?’

  ‘It’s a bit jittery here too. We have hundreds of eyes looking and now our lady friend at the camera for the last thirty minutes footage. We are doing everything we can. I can assure you I would rather be somewhere else right now.’

  ‘I know David. I’ll keep out of your hair and let you get on with it. But let me know when you have something positive I can pass upstairs.’

  ‘Will do.’ Reece put the phone back in his pocket.

  ‘David I might have something here.’ It was Jones.

  ‘What have you got?’ Asked Reece, looking at the screen over the Constable’s shoulder.

  Using the cursor, Jones pointed at a man walking away from the shopping centre. He zoomed in and the man in an overcoat and wearing glasses looked familiar.

  ‘Yasmin come here quickly!’ called Reece.

  Standing beside Reece she looked at the man being followed by the camera.

  ‘Can you get closer?’ she asked.

  Using the mouse Jones zoomed in on the man’s face just before he walked into the centre of the square and disappeared into the cover of the trees surrounding the park.

  ‘I think it’s him, but he is wearing glasses, it’s hard to say.’

  ‘The Teacher?’ asked Reece.

  ‘Yes,’ she replied.

  ‘Keep eyes on the exits from the park area Jonesy and inform control I’m going after him and to get people to the shopping centre and park. Yasmin, you’re coming with me.’ Reece grabbed her arm and opened the door.

  Reece with Yasmin trying to keep up walked at a fast pace and pulled her along with him heading in the direction of Cabot Square.

  It took nearly five minutes for him to reach the square. A five minutes which meant the Arab could be anywhere. In the distance he could see armed police and men in military dress starting to seal off the par
k exits. It was then that Reece felt Yasmin try to pull back on the grip Reece had on her arm. Turning to look at her he could see the look of shock and fear in her eyes as she looked over his shoulder in the direction they’d been walking. Reece knew instinctively there was danger and turning he saw the man in the overcoat and thick rimmed glasses ten yards in front of him. The man had stopped walking. Reece knew by his reaction that he had recognised Yasmin the same time she’d recognised him.

  How is she still alive, and who is the man with her? he thought just before the realisation sunk in.

  ‘It’s him, it’s the Teacher,’ screamed Yasmin pointing.

  The Arab was quick. He pulled the gun from his pocket and fired three times. Reece tried to pull Yasmin to the ground, but he heard her cry out and he felt the warm spray of her blood on his cheek as the bullet hit her. He pulled out his own gun as he hit the ground and rolled over once as rounds hit the concrete close to his head; he rose to his knee and taking aim, he fired double tap as he was trained. He could see one round impact the man’s shoulder and spin him round. The man started to run. This time Reece took careful aim, controlled his breathing, and fired. The round hit the man squarely between the shoulder blades. He staggered for a few steps then fell, first to his knees then face down on the ground. It was only then that Reece realised there were people stood staring, some were screaming, some their phones already filming, him, then some running and Yasmin lying still. Anna came running up with her gun drawn.

  ‘Are you OK?’ she asked.

  ‘Yes! See to Yasmin.’ Reece shouted as he ran to where the man was lying face down, his blood, a small stream staining the pavement. As he got close to the man, he could see he was still breathing. Reece pointed his gun at the man’s back, then he saw the man’s fingers tighten on the grip around his gun. Reece fired twice more from the Smith and Wesson into the man’s back, the 9 mm parabellum steel jacket rounds causing his body to rise in spasm, before he let out a loud groan, the last rattle of dying breath, letting the grip on the gun ease before it fell from his hand.