'Vince, please remember that this does not give you a license to get involved in other investigative work. Once Stuart and his family are safe, then you must fly back and settle down into a more normal lifestyle.'
'Thank you; I can assure you that I will return as soon as I am able and I also promise that I will not put myself in dangerous situations.' I leant across and gave her another hug and a kiss.'
'Don't make promises that you don't know that you can keep,' she chided me.
'I will go and tell Tony that it is all sorted, and he can come out from wherever he is hiding.' I smiled at my own joke. 'He was supposed to be explaining the latest developments to you.'
'I'll go and help Sally prepare the lunch,' Daphne said getting up to help her sister-in-law
Tony grabbed hold of two beers and joined me on the veranda.
'That seemed to go better than expected.' He sounded surprised.
'Daphne took the lead in the discussion and seemed to have it all sorted out in her mind,' I replied. 'The two ladies had decided that I would probably have to stay, and she would have to travel back on her own.'
'That's a hell of a turnaround for you,' Tony said.
'You have no idea how relieved I am. I was expecting Daphne to explode and say that there was no way that I could stay.'
'I suppose that she knows that you will be safe with us, and she doesn't have to worry.'
'She also knows that the police are involved, and they will do all the dangerous work,' I suggested.
'By the way Tony, thanks for your help in talking to her.'
'No problem Tony; I knew you could handle it.'
Lunch arrived, so the conversation turned to more pleasant topics.
After lunch, Tony went back to his office and Daphne, and I took the tram to the Victoria Market in Melbourne to buy some presents for Daphne to take home. I was back at the house too late to pick Peter up from his school so received a ticking off later for abandoning my nephew.
Tony didn't return until seven o'clock claiming that he was delayed by the amount of work piling up while he was involved in the search.
'I got a call from the Inspector and he told me that, for a number of reasons, he is not going to move on the house tonight.' Tony told me.
'That's funny; I thought that he would not want to take any risk of any of the family being harmed, and he would have moved in at the earliest possible opportunity.'
'He did tell me that they have borrowed a house that is close by and from where they can keep an eye on the situation. If they sense any danger, they will move in immediately.'
'I hope the situation stays as is and the family is not harmed.'
'By the way, the Inspector is coming to talk to you at 10.00am tomorrow morning,' Tony continued. 'He wants to learn a lot more about your friend Mr Clive Newsome, so he can get a better idea as to what he is up against.'
'I can't tell him very much as I hardly know the guy.'
'You know more than the rest of us so that will have to do him.'
'Right gentlemen,' Sally said to us. Will you please shift yourselves as I want to set the table? We are having a going away meal for Daphne tonight so no more talk about your case, it's party time.'
'Uncle Vince, are you not going home tomorrow?' Peter asked me.
'No, Peter. I have to stay for a little longer.'
'So are you and Auntie Daphne still going to move out to live near us?' He asked with hope written in his voice.
'No, there are no plans at the moment. I will be here for an additional week.'
'Will you be able to take me to school and pick me up every day?'
'I'll try on any day that I happen to be in Melbourne,' I replied. 'I don't know what I will be doing yet.'
'Please try and pick me up Uncle Vince.'
'I'll do my best, but I am not making any promises.'
We had a great family evening with plenty of drink and laughter. At times, I felt guilty. Here we were having a great family get together while Stuart and his family were in such peril. It all didn't make sense.
The Inspector was about an hour late for our appointment the following morning. This didn't surprise me as Inspector Baird of Hampstead CID, who I had worked with in London, was always late for appointments. I hadn't planned on doing anything else as Daphne was packing and getting psyched up for her trip. She would fly out at 10.00pm that evening, and she was very nervous about doing the journey on her own. She was terrified that she would get lost in Hong Kong transferring to the London sector of her journey.
'Sorry I am late Vince,' was his opening remark.
'That’s OK Inspector; I wasn't going anywhere.'
'Just to inform you; we are going to rescue Stuart's family tonight. We have done a full day of monitoring the activities of the house and can confirm that there are only two men involved.'
'That's a relief Inspector and Clive isn't what I call a hardened criminal who should put up much of a fight.'
'I'm glad you said that,' the Inspector commented. 'I want you to tell me as much as you can about Mr Newsome. I gather that you know him from meeting him in London.'
'I met him through a case that I was working on. He was the Chairman of a group of luxury car dealerships, and they employed me to find who was behind a spate of luxury car thefts.'
'Did you find the culprits?'
'Yes and No; we managed to find out how they were stealing the cars and also how they were smuggling them out of the country. Unfortunately, we never found out who was the brains behind the syndicate.'
'Did you at least manage to prevent any more luxury cars being stolen?'
'It stopped for a while; however, before I flew out to Australia on this trip Clive Newsome asked to see me. At the meeting, he told me that the thefts had recommenced.'
'Perhaps you can give me a detailed description of the man. I need to know how he ticks and what is important to him. If you have any comments on his business, I would also like to hear those.'
I spent the next half-an-hour giving the Inspector as many details about Clive Newsome as came into my head. He took copious notes and occasionally asked me to repeat some of my remarks or clarify some of my statements.'
'From what you have told me, our man doesn't sound like a gangster.'
'Gangster is the last word that I would have used to describe him.'
'Is there anything else that might explain why he is involved in all this?' The Inspector had a worry-frown on his face.
'I was very surprised when I met him at the Grand Prix. He was in the company of a very dark and swarthy Italian called Luigi Bandarella. Clive didn't seem to be very comfortable in his presence, and I didn't take to Mr Bandarella at all.'
'I'll do a check on Mr Bandarella and see if there is anything on him in our files or on Interpol's files.'
'That's the only other piece of information that I can think of,' I said. 'I really can't see him putting up a fight if you move in on him. I obviously can't comment on the other guy in the house, but by all accounts he doesn't seem much of a threat.'
'You are probably right Vince, but I can't take any risks.' The discussion was obviously at an end. I will get one of my men to pick you up here at 10.00pm tonight. Your brother Tony can come too if he wants.'
'I'll tell him.'
I let the Inspector out.
I phoned Tony on his mobile to let him know the outcome of my meeting with the Inspector.
'I am relieved that they are going to try and rescue Mags and the two kids this evening. I was worried that they would be moved or something before the police took action,' Tony said.
'Will we be back from the airport by 10.00pm?' I asked.
'Daphne will have to go through into the departure area by 8.30pm so we will have plenty of time to get home,' Tony replied. 'Sorry I have to go now I have somebody with me.'
I was very relieved; everything was working out. At first I had been worried that I wouldn't have been able to go to the airport to see Daph
ne off. Tony had reassured me and the timing was perfect.
Chapter 11
It was strange and a little disconcerting dropping Daphne off at the airport for her flight to London and not getting on the plane with her. The check-in process was efficient, and we had time for a drink before she went through into the departure area. Tony and Sally had also come to see her off.
Approximately an hour before the take-off time, we went to the departure gate where she had to pass through for security and passport control. We hugged, and she went through leaving me very tearful and trusting that she would have a safe flight and get to the UK without any problems.
'Let's go, Vince, we need to get home before the police come to pick us up.'
'I'm missing her already,' I said. 'Thanks to you we have had a wonderful holiday, almost as good as a second honeymoon. We haven't been able to spend as much quality time together for quite a few years.'
'I do believe I see a tear in your eye, Vince,' Sally commented. 'You are really a softy at heart.'
It didn't take us long to drive to Tony’s house, and we were ready and waiting when the unmarked police car came to pick us up.
The driver introduced himself as Sergeant Gregosky.
We travelled across the city, connected with a motorway and finally joined the coastal road until we came to Dromana. I couldn't think of anything to say in casual conversation, and the Sergeant didn't want to talk. We drove in silence.
As we got into Dromana, I asked him: 'Where are we going to meet the Inspector?'
'The Inspector has requisitioned a school for the evening and we are all gathering there.'
He had just finished giving me this piece of information when we turned in through the gates of St James Primary School.
The Constable led us into the sports hall that was full of police, male and female, suitably dressed and equipped for the night’s task.
'I am over here,' the Inspector called out to us.
We went over to join him where he was talking in a relaxed way with a few other officers.
'I was wondering how you were going to all meet up without them seeing you,' I said. 'This is an excellent idea as nobody will have any idea as to what is going on.'
The Inspector replied. 'We are lucky that this school is quite close to the location of the house. When we finally proceed to our positions, we can go all the way on foot and won't need to bring the vehicles,'
'What is the timetable and when are you going to move in on the house?' Tony asked.
'We will have a meeting now, and I will explain how we are going to proceed,' the Inspector explained. He raised his voice and called all the officers to come and join him around the table.
It was quite a comical situation as the chairs that were available were all of a much smaller size than normal. We were reminded that this was a Primary School and little people were catered for. It was an amusing sight to see the large well-muscled police officers sitting on the small chairs. It added a note of humour to the proceedings.
'Sorry about these chairs people,' the Inspector said, smiling at those now trying to sit around the table. 'Feel free to stand if that makes you feel more comfortable.'
A few of the larger officers stood up.
'I am now going to tell you how the raid on the house in Seaview Road is going to be conducted. If you have any questions or suggestions, please wait until I am finished.'
He had our attention, and you could have heard a pin drop.
He continued: 'Sergeant Savigny you will be responsible for placing a ring of heavily armed men around the house at a discrete distance so as they can't be seen. Your role is to make sure that if they try to make a break for it that they won't be able to escape. Do you understand?'
A man who I presumed to be Sergeant Savigny said 'Yes Sir.'
'Sergeant Gregosky, I want you and three of your men to come with me. I will be approaching the front of the house with Major Vince Hamilton,’ he pointed at me. ‘And you will give us covering fire from the front wall and the gate if it should be required.'
'Moore and Jackson you must be with me at all times. As female officers, you will have to take care of Mrs Smith and her two children should we find them. I expect that they will be extremely traumatised.'
They both said 'Yes Sir.'
'Let me now explain the strategy that I want to employ,' the Inspector continued. 'The monitoring of the house over the past day has proved to us that there are only two people in the house; Clive Newsome plus a young man in his twenties. From the information that Major Hamilton has given me I am confident that we are not dealing with men who are likely to put up much of a fight. With this in mind, I want to firstly try a softly-softly approach in the hope that they will see sense. If we mount a major assault, I am conscious of the fact that it could endanger the hostages. I want the Major here to knock on the front door and tell the inhabitants that they are surrounded by a large number of heavily armed police, and they haven't a hope of escaping.'
'That sounds a bit risky.' I couldn't help blurting out. 'What happens if they just open fire?'
'I will be just behind you with Sergeant Gregosky and we will have whoever answers the door in our sights.'
'And, if they don't open the door and just start shooting, what then?' I was not happy with his plan as it put me in great danger. Where was my promise to Daphne and my undertaking to stay in the background?
'He knows you well and I am sure that he won't open fire on you, especially as you will be offering a way out of his predicament.' The Inspector tried to reassure me.
'Do you have a flak jacket that I can wear? I am not going in without some protection?'
'It seems a bit risky to say the least even if you have a flak jacket,' Tony offered his opinion.
'Think about it for a few minutes Major. If you really don't want to go through with it, I will have to make another plan.' the Inspector sounded disappointed. 'We'll meet again in fifteen minutes. There are coffee and sandwiches on that table over there if you want to have something to eat before we start.' He pointed to a table on the other side of the hall.
'What do you think Vince?' Tony asked me.
'I am not too keen on his suggestion. I gave Daphne a promise that I wouldn't put myself in danger, and here I am being asked to knock on a door where we know armed criminals are holding a family, hostage.'
'The only thing I can add to that is that the Inspector thinks you will not be in danger. He wouldn't ask you to do it if he thought that he was putting you at risk.'
For the next ten minutes, we discussed the situation. I gradually softened my approach to the Inspector's suggestion and by the time that we met again I was willing to give it a go.
'Well Major, have you got an answer for me?' the Inspector asked as we all assembled around the table. This time everybody stayed standing.
'I discussed it with my brother and we decided that it would be worth a try. If I can do anything to reduce the risk of bloodshed, then I will try it.'
'Thank you for agreeing to my plan. Are you all clear what your roles in the exercise are going to be? I don't want any cock-ups.'
After further discussion and a number of relevant questions everybody around the table was happy and they left to get their teams ready for the task ahead. I put on a flak jacket, not that it would give me much protection. We then all set our watches so as everyone was working to the same timescale.
Sergeant Savigny's group, who were allocated the task of guarding the perimeter, were the first to go and take up their positions. The second group, under Sergeant Gregosky, were the next to leave. Finally the Inspector and I plus the two lady police officers set off.
It was a still night with no wind, and there was a half-moon bathing the area in a ghostly light. We would have to be very careful not to make a noise as the sound would travel in the quiet of the night.
As we approached the house, I heard a dog bark further up the street. One of the perimeter party must have distu
rbed a dog. Fortunately, the dog soon stopped barking.
At the house, we stopped to take stock of the situation. The gate was locked, but it wasn’t very high and could easily be climbed over.
'Are you ready to go?' the Inspector whispered.
'As ready as I will ever be,' I nervously replied.
The Inspector tapped Sergeant Gregosky on the shoulder and told him to position his men inside the fence in the front yard, but in such a way as they could line their guns up on the door.'
The two female officers stayed with him.
I approached the front door; using my torch to locate the bell push. Here goes; I breathed a deep breath and pressed the bell.
There was no sound other than the doorbell. I pushed it for a second time, this time I gave it a good long push.
At last I heard a noise inside the house. Somebody was coming down the stairs.
'Whose there at this time of the night?' It was Clive's voice.
'It's Vince Hamilton, Clive. I need to speak to you.'
'How the Hell did you find me here?'
'It's a long story. Can you open the door and let me talk to you.'
'I can't speak to you; go away and don't bother me. We will open fire if you don’t go away.'
The Inspector’s plan wasn't going too well. I needed to take the verbiage up a notch.
'Clive, I am not here on my own. The house is surrounded by armed police. I need to talk to you to see if there is a way of peacefully resolving the issue.'
'I don't believe you, Vince. Why would you be here if the police are also with you? It doesn't make sense.'
'You had better, believe me, Clive. The Inspector in charge of the case told me to come and talk to you.'
'Hold on while I go and look from a top floor window. I want to see them for myself.'
I heard him move back through the hall and then up the stairs.
I called out to the Inspector to get the men in the front garden to stand up so as Clive could see them.
The Inspector and the two female constables stood in front of the gate and the other four men, positioned just inside the perimeter wall, also made themselves visible.
Danger Down Under: Another Vince Hamilton Investigation Page 8
