by Bill Ward
They both turned at the sound of the approaching police siren. The car pulled in to the side and Miller shouted through the open window, “Are you both all right?”
“We’re okay,” Tom replied. “Simpson is a couple of minutes ahead of you.”
Miller turned back to his driver and the car pulled away at speed with its back wheels struggling for grip.
“Come on,” Melanie said, hurrying to Tom’s car. “You can drive.”
“Where are we going?” Tom asked confused.
Melanie smiled. “Don’t you want to know if they catch him?”
Once seated beside Melanie he gave her a questioning look. “You sure about this?”
“We’re wasting time,” was her response.
Tom knew it wasn’t the sensible course of action but it didn’t stop him pushing the accelerator hard to the floor and speeding away in the same direction as Miller had gone.
They had only driven a short distance when they spotted both the police car and Simpson’s white Audi at the side of the road. Tom pulled over and as they emerged from the car, they could hear the sirens of at least two other police cars approaching from some distance away.
“They must have taken the Tube,” Tom explained, pointing at the steps leading down into the station. A sign over the entrance announced it was called Gloucester Road.
Melanie didn’t wait for a discussion and headed straight for the station entrance, closely followed by Tom. They descended the steps two at a time and found themselves in an open area which housed the ticket office. Although not overly busy there were a few others milling around looking at maps on the wall and passing through the barriers, which led down an escalator to the platforms.
Tom purchased two travel card tickets that would allow them to travel anywhere within London, as he didn’t have a clue where they might actually be going. He wasn’t convinced they should be purchasing any tickets or trying to follow Simpson and Miller anywhere but he knew Melanie well enough by now that her mind was set and there was no point in arguing.
Now Tom had the tickets, he was faced with the decision of which direction to take. The station served three different lines, District, Circle and Piccadilly. Each of them then went in two directions so they were faced with a ridiculous six options.
For no good reason, he decided to start with the Piccadilly line and called Melanie to follow. They headed to the left and he handed her a ticket and she followed him through the automatic barrier and down the appropriate escalator. As they reached the bottom they could go left or right.
He took a quick look at the left platform which was relatively empty. Then he looked to the right which was heading north via Green Park and Leicester Square. The platform was busy, suggesting everyone had been waiting some time for a train. There was no sign of Miller or any policemen for that matter. It was impossible to see if Simpson was on the platform without closer inspection. Melanie was looking at him waiting for his decision.
Miller hurried down the steps into the tube, followed close behind by his driver. He headed straight for the nearest escalators and flashed his badge at the man standing guard by the ticket barrier, telling him to let them through. He could see the signs saying he was heading for the District and Circle lines. He was reasonably familiar with the line and his first thought was that Simpson might head clockwise, trying to get to one of the mainline stations such as Paddington or Euston.
At the bottom of the escalator, he told his driver to check the anticlockwise platform while he took the clockwise platform. There were quite a number of people on the platform and he went first to his right and made his way along the platform checking for Simpson. He went carefully because Simpson was armed and he didn’t want a bloodbath. Then he went back past where he’d joined the platform and continued to check along the remainder of the platform. There was no sign of Simpson and he returned to meet his driver whose face and negative nod, told him immediately he had also been unsuccessful.
Miller was suddenly worried the car at the top of the station entrance had simply been a decoy. Simpson was a clever bastard. But there was still the chance he had taken the Piccadilly line. Miller told the driver to get outside the station and direct the first officers to arrive to join him on the Piccadilly platforms. If they weren’t armed officers, they should tread carefully. Subsequent backup should start searching the immediate vicinity in case Simpson was on foot. And get a helicopter in the air asap.
Miller then started running back along the platform to where he had seen the exit indicating access to the Piccadilly line. He shouted for people to get out the way but still had to push aside one surprised man who hadn’t heard him. The man swore at him and others followed suite, telling him to be careful. Miller shouted sorry but didn’t stop. He was rushing towards the Piccadilly sign but doing so with no great optimism. He realized that even if Simpson had taken the Piccadilly line, it was very unlikely he would still be on the platform.
Miller was through the exit and at the bottom of a huge escalator. He started running up the escalator but he had to slow halfway. As he neared the top he was breathing heavily and his legs felt like jelly. He cursed the fact he wasn’t as fit as he used to be and slowed to a walk.
Tom and Melanie had joined the Piccadilly line platform at one end and started to slowly work their way along looking for Simpson.
“Remember he’s got a gun,” Tom warned.
“I remember,” Melanie almost shouted, having to compete with the sound of a train emerging from the tunnel and arriving at the platform. She took an involuntary step back despite not being particularly close to the edge.
They looked at each other uncertain what to do. All the passengers had suddenly congregated at the front of the platform, ready to board the train. It made it impossible to move further along the platform.
“Can you see him?” Tom asked.
They were both desperately searching the faces boarding the train but it was a long platform and they could only see halfway along.
“Do we get on?” Melanie asked.
Tom didn’t respond. He had his eyes fixed on someone who had just boarded. The man gave a furtive glance around as he stepped onto the train. Tom only saw him for an instant and was far from certain it was Simpson.
The door on the train started to close and Tom thrust his body in the way. For a second the door pressed on his body trying to close but then the sensors detected his presence and the door slid back open again. He held out his hand to Melanie and pulled her through the door before it closed behind them. A couple of passengers standing by the doorway looked at them and smiled at their last minute attempt to get on the train.
“Did you see him?” Melanie asked excitedly.
“Not sure,” Tom answered uncertainly. “I saw someone. It could have been him but I don’t know. I only saw him for an instant.”
“Where the hell is Miller?” Melanie asked.
“No idea.” Tom had been thinking the same thing.
“Oh well don’t worry if he isn’t on here,” Melanie beamed. “I always wanted to ride your underground system.”
Tom laughed at the thought someone would take such pleasure from riding the tube. As far as he was concerned it was a dirty, hot, cramped means of travel to be avoided if at all possible, especially in the rush hour.
The couple standing close by them were still smiling and the man was whispering in his partner’s ear and then looking in their direction. Tom realized they must have recognized Melanie. With everything that had happened, he had completely forgotten about her superstar status. He pulled her closer to him so she had her back to most of the carriage. The last thing they needed was all her fans asking for autographs.
The train was coming to a halt at the next station. As the doors slid open he leaned out and could see that very few people were getting off, so he was able to be sure that Simpson wasn’t one of them. Then again he probably wasn’t even on the train. However, someone he did recognize had got off the
train and then got back on again.
Miller was walking fast in the direction of the Piccadilly line. He had given up any further attempt at running. He was halfway along the pedestrian tunnel when he could hear the train arriving up ahead. He swore to himself and broke into a trot. He emerged onto the platform just as the electronic doors were closing and swore again out loud. Then suddenly the doors reopened and he knew he had a few seconds to make the train, before they would shut again. He threw himself through the nearest doors just in time. He was on the train but was Simpson?
He hated not being able to communicate with anyone above ground. He had no idea what was going on. The sooner they invented a way you could use your mobile underground the better.
Miller worked his way along the carriage looking at the passengers to make sure Simpson wasn’t among them. At the end, he looked through the glass window into the next carriage but there was no sign of Simpson.
As the train pulled into the next station he descended onto the platform and looked at the few others getting off. Not seeing Simpson, he moved quickly to the next carriage and got back on the train. He walked the length of the carriage looking for Simpson but again without success.
He was feeling quite despondent. If Simpson escaped them now, he would be very difficult to ever find. His experience in the security service would have taught him how to prepare for just such an eventuality as this and he could have fake passports, money and everything else he needed stashed away.
The train pulled into Knightsbridge station. Miller moved quicker this time. He jumped from the train and walked quickly along the platform. He was able to check both that Simpson hadn’t left the train and that he wasn’t in either of the next two carriages.
He looked at the tube map over the doors of the carriage as they closed, which reminded him that the next stop was Hyde Park Corner. That would probably be quiet but then it would be Green Park, which connects with a couple of other lines. After that it was a succession of further stations all normally very busy and connecting to other lines. Damn he could do with some help.
Tom’s spirits had soared at the sight of Miller. He still didn’t know if Simpson was on the train but was very pleased to know they weren’t alone. He had been giving thought to what they would do if they spotted Simpson leaving the train at one of the earlier stations. In theory they would have followed him but what if Simpson had seen them. He realized the idea of the two of them following an armed and very dangerous man was actually sheer madness.
Tom had been clear with Melanie that they had to hang back if they did see Simpson and once above ground they could call Miller to let him know. That was the best result they could achieve. He had to believe that Simpson wouldn’t start shooting at them with numerous witnesses around but he didn’t want to put the theory to the test.
The train pulled into Green Park station. Tom was keen to let Miller know they were on the train but not in any way that would attract everyone’s attention. He put his arm through Melanie’s and they stepped onto the platform. Miller was still half a dozen carriages away but he should be able to see them.
Melanie gasped as she spotted Simpson hurrying from a carriage halfway down the train. Tom had also seen him and immediately turned into Melanie and kissed her, hiding them from Simpson’s view if he should happen to glance in their direction. For an instant he thought to just keep kissing and forget the idiocy they were embarked upon but he couldn’t resist checking on Simpson.
Quite a large group of people had left the train and most were headed in the direction of the Victoria Line exit from the platform. The passengers were funnelling through a narrow exit at no great pace and patiently waiting their turn.
Tom considered it safe to follow and joined the back of the now quite small queue. There was no sign of Miller and he wondered whether he was up ahead or still on the train. As they emerged on the other side of the exit they joined one of the two escalators heading upwards.
At the top, they headed left following the Victoria Line signs. They found themselves in a tunnel, following the passengers heading in the only direction possible, towards the Victoria Line.
Tom accelerated his pace as he knew Simpson wouldn’t be hanging around and he also hoped to find Miller. Melanie linked her arm in his and they looked like any ordinary couple in a hurry.
They overtook several slow walking passengers and then twenty five meters ahead, Tom caught sight of Miller. Melanie had also seen him and squeezed Tom’s arm. Miller seemed unaware of them and Tom wondered if he had also seen Simpson leave the train and was following him. Miller was moving at quite a fast pace and they wouldn’t be able to close the gap on him without running, which would potentially make Simpson aware of their presence, so wasn’t an option.
Miller had alighted from the train at Green Park, planning to search the next couple of carriages, when he saw Simpson hurry from the train and head for the exit to the Victoria Line. Miller hung back out of view as he didn’t want to challenge Simpson in such an enclosed space, with so many members of the public around. He didn’t fancy Simpson taking further hostages. There was also the minor matter of him not being armed and in no position to apprehend Simpson without help.
A crowd formed around the exit and Miller noticed Simpson pushing himself to the front. Miller followed discreetly behind. He followed Simpson up the busy escalator but stared at the adverts on the wall rather than in Simpson’s direction.
As he followed Simpson along the tunnel towards the Victoria Line, he was surprised that Simpson didn’t look behind at all. He obviously thought he was safe and Miller hoped that over confidence would make him careless. He descended a flight of steps to the platforms and momentarily lost sight of Simpson, as up ahead he turned onto the actual platform.
Miller was concerned about his next move. If Simpson had chosen to stand on the platform right by the entrance from which Miller would emerge, then he might find himself walking right into him. He hung back a second and then, as a middle aged couple joined the platform, he followed close behind using them to obscure Simpson’s view. He glanced nervously to each side and could see Simpson ambling down the platform to his right seemingly still unaware he was being followed.
At the same time a train was approaching from the left. Miller quickly turned to look at the oncoming train in case Simpson also turned and thus he would now only have a rear view of Miller. As the train came to a halt Miller risked a glance in Simpson’s direction and saw him boarding the front carriage. Miller hurried down the platform a little to get closer to Simpson and joined the front of the third carriage.
The train was packed and he stood crammed up against an assortment of people. He had about three minutes before the train would arrive at Victoria and he knew from past experience that on arrival, virtually everyone would make a sudden rush for the exit that led to the escalators, which took you up to the mainline station. As one of the last on the train, Simpson would be one of the first off. In the mass exodus it would be easy to lose Simpson and he would have to be on his guard. At least he too would be one of the first out of his carriage.
Once above ground he would be able to call on reinforcements and was confident they would then run him to ground. They just had to be very careful not to give him the chance to take any further hostages and ensure members of the public weren’t in the line of fire.
Miller had another thought, which was why had Simpson taken this rather scenic route to Victoria? At Gloucester Road when he started his journey, he was just three stops from Victoria on the Circle line. Then again it had been a smart move which had almost succeeded in him escaping. If the train had come a minute earlier he would have done. Miller recognized he had been lucky. And maybe Simpson had only decided once on the train, where he was going and plumped for Victoria. Why Victoria though? Where was he going next? He didn’t have time to dwell on the thought as the train was arriving at the station.
As the doors slid open, he stepped backwards onto the platf
orm and pretended to adjust his clothing while keeping his back to anyone exiting the first carriage. Then after a few seconds he turned and could see Simpson joining one of the escalators that ascended to the tube station concourse. Swamped by people around him he headed in the same direction, buffeted on the way by someone with two large suitcases.
He nimbly skipped by a large woman holding a young girl’s hand, who was getting in the way of people who were in a hurry. Simpson was near the top of the escalator as Miller joined it and he decided he needed to walk up it, rather than just ride it, in order to close the gap a little.
As Miller jumped off the end of the escalator, he could see Simpson walking up the steps directly in front that lead to the mainline station. Miller reached for his mobile and called Taylor.
“Where the hell are you, boss?” Taylor asked.
“I’ve just come up out the tube at Victoria station. Simpson is about thirty meters ahead of me, looking at the departures board. Get some men here fast and lock everything down. But we have to be careful. Simpson isn’t worth any member of the public getting killed.”
“Will do,” Taylor agreed. “Be careful boss, he’s not going to come quietly.”
“I know,” was all Miller said before ending the call.
He was thankful he had taken the weapon from his driver when he sent him back above ground. The last thing he wanted was a Wild West style shootout but he doubted Simpson would just give up whatever the odds. He had been keeping his eye on Simpson throughout the call with Taylor. He saw him move to the specific ticket kiosk at platform thirteen, where the only ticket you can buy is for the Gatwick Express. So he is hoping to skip the country Miller thought.
He watched Simpson use his new ticket to pass through the barriers and walk about halfway down the platform before joining the train. Miller glanced up at the departure board and saw there was ten minutes until the train was due to depart. He needed more time. The train needed to be delayed. He called Taylor again and told him what he wanted him to do.
