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

by David Costa

  Reece remembered his special firearms training. Never take it for granted they’re dead until they are dead.

  Bending slightly, he placed his foot under the man’s body and rolled him over. The glasses he had worn had fallen off his face, and although his eyes were closed Reece was able to reassure himself it was the Arab. More armed police started to appear, and Reece realised he still had his own gun in his hand and the police baseball cap was still in his pocket. Kneeling beside the man’s body he quickly exchanged both, his own gun to his pocket and the baseball hat to his head.

  ‘Security Service,’ Reece shouted towards the arriving officers who now surrounded the small area where the shooting had taken place, their automatic rifles pointing in his direction.

  ‘Alpha One to control. Get a couple of ambulances to my location two people down neither of them friendlies.’ Reece knew ambulances were not much use for dead bodies, but he wanted the scene tied down with as many emergency services as he could get, to move the crowd of curious watchers and their cameras.

  ‘Roger, Alpha One, on the way. Update when you can.’ It was the voice of Matthew Simons who would appreciate that Reece would be too busy to give a running commentary right now.

  Turning to one of the police officers who seemed to be in charge, he told him that the ambulance was on its way and to seal off the immediate area and to start moving the crowd of onlookers away and if possible, seize their phones.

  ‘And while you’re at it, cuff this man, he’s dead, but I still don’t trust him.’ He said pointing at the Arab who he could see was bleeding out fast, the pool of blood now flowing quickly into a drain beside the path. He ran back to where Anna was kneeling beside Yasmin.

  ‘I’m sorry David, she’s dead.’

  Yasmin was lying on her back. Reece could see the ragged hole in her coat exactly where her heart would be, at least it had been quick but despite this he felt her death was such a waste.

  ‘You’re bleeding, David,’ said Anna pointing at his cheek.

  ‘No, it’s Yasmin’s,’ he replied wiping his hand across his face.

  He spoke into his radio mic. ‘Control, can you get Alpha Two here to take control of the scene? Targets One and Three are dead.’

  ‘Roger. They’re on their way. Should be there soon.’

  ‘Good, we will get back to the Cabot Square shopping centre. We still need to find Target Two and the device, we are running out of time. Get the comms van to keep looking at the playback on the CCTV to see where Target Two might have gone.’

  ‘Roger understood. Units are sealing off the centre as we speak,’ replied Simons.

  Turning once more to the police officer Reece pointed to the Arab.

  ‘Keep a close eye on him. Our people will be here shortly to take control.’

  ‘Understood,’ replied the officer.

  ‘Anna come with me now,’ shouted Reece over his shoulder as he ran towards Cabot Square and hopefully the third terrorist.

  Chapter 33

  Jim Broad had been standing behind Simons in the operation room listening to the ongoing communications from Reece. Simons was passing on the request from Reece to the communication van. Things were moving fast he thought: the end game not far off. He picked up the phone and spoke with Sir Ian Fraser who was now in the Cobra Room in Whitehall with the PM, Sir Martin Bryant, and the head of MI5 Caroline Aspinall. They had been listening in through the communications panels in what was effectively the government equivalent of the American situation room in the White House.

  ‘I take it you’ve heard everything Sir Ian?’ asked Broad.

  ‘Yes Jim, thank you. We are also linked into the area CCTV and communications. At this moment I can see Reece and Anna running towards Cabot Square.’

  Broad looked at their own screens and he could see the same feed.

  ‘Can I suggest, in the light of what has happened, and given the time scale, there is at least one more terrorist out there. He’s close and most likely has the device with him, given the current time he has probably started the countdown. I’m not happy that one of the Royal family and her security detail are going to arrive slap bang into what is a fast-flowing scenario. Can we not stop her?’ asked Broad.

  There was a pause and Broad could hear mumbled voices in the earpiece.

  ‘Jim. The PM is currently on the phone to the Palace bringing them up to date with what is happening. Now, the Palace wants to go ahead with the visit but only on the understanding that the issue will be dealt with before they set out to drive to One Canada Square. Realistically if we’ve made no progress in the next thirty minutes bringing us to two o’clock, then the Prime Minister will have to order the evacuation of Canary Wharf. It is a massive area and thousands of people. I don’t believe we could get everyone out by 3 pm. Your priority now Jim is to find the third terrorist and, more importantly the device, and eliminate the threat from both.’

  ‘Understood,’ said Broad as the line went dead.

  ‘Matthew, we need to know where this guy is and fast. Anything, anything at all get it to Reece.’

  Simons knew the pressure was on, and they were all under scrutiny. Not only were thousands of people and the country’s economy on the line, but the very survival of SG9.

  As Reece and Anna reached the trees and the park at Cabot Square, he could hear Jonesy’s voice in his earpiece.

  ‘Alpha One, come in, over.’

  Reece slowed to a stop taking a few seconds to catch his breath.

  ‘Go ahead Jonesy,’ replied Reece.

  ‘I’ve been looking at the feedback from earlier and I can see both men from the time they were together until they enter the Cabot Square shopping centre. The man with the glasses walking slightly in front of the younger man. I’m currently trying to get access to the CCTV inside the centre to see where they went. I’ve looked at the pictures from then. As far as I can see only the man with the glasses has left the centre so by the look of things the younger man is still in there.’

  ‘Great work Jonesy. Can you capture a headshot of the younger man and send it to me?’

  ‘As you speak, sending now,’ came the reply.

  ‘Thanks, Jonesy I’m going to cross the park and enter the centre. As well as trying to find this man’s movements, can you also try to find where he is now?’

  ‘Ahead of you. No sign of him currently but hope to have info of where he went shortly.’

  ‘Thank you, Jonesy. Control, we are going into the centre. Please have uniform seal off entrances to prevent anyone going in and check people coming out and let them know we are on the ground inside the centre.’

  ‘Roger Alpha One, on it,’ replied Simons.

  Reece and Anna continued to walk across the park and then into the centre. The time on his watch showed 13.40.

  The shopping centre was crowded with lunchtime shoppers, many of them queuing up at fast food take-aways and filling up the restaurants. Reece took off his police baseball cap. No sense in giving the third terrorist any early identification of himself and Anna. Surprise, in any operation, was important. The faces of the many people around them seemed to swamp them. Reece felt it was like trying to find that needle in the haystack.

  It was Anna who spotted Hassan first. He had just come out of a lift about fifty yards in front of them and was walking towards them. He was still wearing the black and white check shemagh; the same as the one in the most recent photo sent by Jonesy.

  ‘David, I think that’s him, just coming out of the lift straight ahead,’ she said coming close enough to Reece to whisper in his ear.

  Reece pulled Anna in front of him her back now to Target Two. Reece looked slightly over her shoulder and could see him walking towards them. Reece was pretending to talk to Anna as two friends might talk, up close and indifferent to the world around them. He whispered in Anna’s ear.

  ‘I’ve just realised that we need to take him alive. He is probably the only person who knows where the device is. When he gets close
, stand in front of him as if you’re going to ask a question.’

  Hassan had felt relieved when he had completed his task. The buttons had been pressed, the countdown had begun, now to keep moving and find his way to the nearest train station to take him to Bristol. He was thinking what the evening’s news would be like, the word of his mission being flashed around the world. An attractive woman was standing in front of him asking something about Boots chemist. The next voice he heard was a man speaking into his ear from behind. At the same time, he could feel something cold and hard pressed into his neck.

  ‘Hassan don’t make any sudden moves, or I’ll blow your head off.’ said Reece quietly.

  Hassan thought for a split second to pull the gun from his pocket. His hand had been holding it tightly since he left the lift. The woman changed his mind moving closer she pushed a gun into his stomach reading his thoughts.

  ‘Now don’t be a naughty boy Hassan,’ she said as she pulled his arm backwards and with a quick movement took the gun out of his pocket and placed it into her own.

  Reece was impressed at how fast Anna had moved. No one had noticed how quickly and quietly this danger had been removed from their midst as they went about their daily lives.

  ‘Now Hassan let’s move quietly outside I have a few questions for you,’ said Reece moving the barrel of his gun downwards to press it into the man’s side. Gripping him with his other hand Reece moved Hassan towards the exit while Anna walked on his other side.

  Being so close, Reece could smell the fear in Hassan as small beads of sweat trickled down the back of his neck. Maybe this was one terrorist who wasn’t too sure about wanting to die for Allah.

  Outside the exit armed police were stopping shoppers from entering the building. Reece could see the SAS transit with Middleton standing beside it and he guided Hassan towards it.

  ‘Captain, can you get this man cuffed and place him in the back of the transit? I’ll update control and start to get this place cleared.’

  ‘No problem,’ said Middleton pointing his MP5 at Hassan. ‘Right this way sir.’ One of his men quickly pulled Hassan’s hands behind his back then searched him before placing him in the back of the vehicle. The only items on him were a mobile phone, a wallet with a bank card, pound notes, and a passport.

  Reece quickly briefed Broad in the control room.

  ‘He was coming out of the lift. When he went into the centre, he had a rucksack with him but now he hasn’t so it’s still in there somewhere with the device in it. Can you order the centre to be evacuated while we try to find it and get Felix here asap?’

  Broad’s voice came back. ‘Will order the evacuation right away. That’s a big place to search in time. As for Felix we only have one available and he is trying to get to you through heavy traffic after clearing up on Edgware Road, so it will be cutting it fine for him to reach you. At least we have some good news. The Princess Royal has decided to postpone her opening and stay at home for today. Do what you can but be careful David.’

  ‘Oh great. I was always told to stay away from bombs. I’ll have a word with our friend here and see what he can tell us.’

  Anna was already in the transit and Reece sat beside her to face Hassan. The terrorist stared back at both his dark brown eyes filled with hatred and thought Reece, a little fear. Reece decided to take it slowly even though the clock was running down.

  ‘Hassan. As you already know we do not have much time so do not fuck around with me. Your two friends are dead.’

  Reece could see the change in the man’s expression and the look of surprise in his eyes, but no reply.

  ‘To tell you the truth, I’m surprised to see you alive. I bet you didn’t know that your friend the Teacher had given Yasmin a suicide bomb to go off when she pressed the button on the phone timer.’

  Again, the surprise in the man’s eyes.

  ‘We know you and the Teacher went into the shopping centre together and you had the rucksack with you. He left on his own, leaving you to finish placing the bomb and setting the timer. Now we can sit here until it goes off meaning we all die, or you can tell me where it is and stop this madness.’

  Hassan continued to stare back but saying nothing. Reece decided to change tack.

  ‘Alright Hassan, if you’re not willing to talk we can clear this whole area, and no one will get hurt but as you know the plutonium will damage not just this country’s, economy but the world’s economies for many years to come. If you think it through that will bring great hardship to the many countries in the Middle East including yours. Families will suffer, many of them will starve, and all because you thought it a clever thing to do. I don’t think you realise how much you’ve been used by your friends in the Jihad.’

  ‘That’s why it’s called a Holy War, because in war people die and if the people who die are true to Allah, then they’ll enter paradise to be with him,’ said Hassan.

  ‘That’s funny. Because when we stopped you in the shopping centre you could have been in paradise already, but you decided not to. Do you think you’re not good enough?’ asked Anna.

  Hassan looked at the woman but said nothing. Reece knew from experience they were getting nowhere fast.

  ‘OK Hassan. We will go and search for the bomb without your help. I know it’s supposed to go off in one hour. If we do not find it in thirty minutes, I’ll pull everyone out of here, chain you to a pillar and let you count down the minutes to your meeting with your teacher in paradise.’

  Again, no reply.

  Reece and Anna left Hassan in the care of Middleton and his men and returned to the entrance to the shopping centre.

  ‘We need get as many people in there as possible to find this thing,’ said Reece.

  ‘David this is Jonesy. Come in over.’

  ‘What have you got Jonesy?’ Reece replied.

  ‘I have the two men on CCTV taking the lift down to the car park level. The man with the glasses stayed in the lift, came back up and left the centre. The one with the shemagh and rucksack got out. I then have shemagh man with no rucksack getting out of the lift twenty minutes later, just before you jumped him.’

  ‘He didn’t get out anywhere else other than the car park. You are sure, Jonesy?’ asked Reece.

  ‘Yes, I’m sure, down to the car park and return to the same floor.’

  ‘Thanks, Jonesy that’s helpful,’ replied Reece.

  Reece called to the police officer who seemed to oversee the evacuation.

  ‘Chief Inspector can some of your officers search this floor and the upper levels, they should look for an abandoned rucksack. If they find it, they are not to touch it. Bomb Disposal are on their way, and they’ll deal with it. Can you let me have two of your men to help us search the car park level?’

  ‘No problem, understood.’ Replied the Chief Inspector as he returned to his people, Reece was pleased to see he was the kind of officer who got things done without question.

  ‘I guess the car park will be down to us, are you up for it?’ asked Reece.

  ‘That’s why I’m still here,’ replied Anna.

  They took the lift to the underground car park accompanied by two uniformed police officers.

  There were more cars than Reece expected, but they all seemed to be here on one level. Reece asked the officers to cover the area to his left and Anna to search to his right. He would take the central isles.

  ‘Don’t forget our man was down here for no more than twenty minutes he’s fit enough to use the stairs, so that’s why I’ve asked for the upper floors to be searched, not only for the rucksack, but for anyone still stupid enough to have ignored the evacuation call.’ They had been searching for ten minutes. Reece knew that Hassan wouldn’t have left the rucksack under a car or anywhere else it could easily be spotted. It was then he saw the large cabinet containing the emergency fire hose attached to the wall at the end of the aisle. He moved closer taking his time to check the outer door of the cabinet. He could see the wood where the door lock ha
d been damaged. Someone had prised it open with something sharp. It could have been damaged by vandals, but Reece didn’t believe in coincidence. He carefully pulled the door open and there squeezed below the curled firehose was the rucksack.

  ‘All right, everybody stop. I think I’ve found what we are looking for,’ shouted Reece.

  Turning to the police officers he told them to return to the main entrance and tell the Chief Inspector to move his cordon further from the building. The officers quickly left using the stairs. ‘Smart’, thought Reece if this thing goes off the lift could be a death trap.

  Anna had joined Reece and looking over his shoulder she blew the air slowly from her lungs through pursed lips.

  ‘I don’t know about you, but I don’t like being too close to these things,’ said Anna.

  ‘I know what you mean. I thought my days of being this close were long over.’

  ‘What are we going to do now?’ asked Anna.

  ‘We can’t use our phones or radios they might trigger the thing. But it will only pick up transmissions over a short distance so we should be OK upstairs. The last time I spoke to control they said Felix was stuck in traffic. If we are to believe Yasmin, we should still have around one hour before this thing detonates but we can’t trust these bastards especially the Arab. He was willing to make Yasmin a suicide bomber without her permission. He left Hassan to plant it and again he made sure he would be out of the way when Hassan pressed the button. I have no choice; I must check it out, at least that way I can give Felix the best information possible allowing him to deal with this thing quickly. You get out of here, no sense in both of us taking the risk.’

  ‘No chance, David. I’ve been with this all the way from Malta to the back streets of London to here. A young woman died in my arms today, I’m not going to see you die as well. You might need someone here, right now I’m the only one.’