by Michael Wood
‘There’s a reason for that. Phones don’t work in the shower. What’s going on?’
‘You need to get dressed. We think Colin Theobald is at Alice Hardaker’s house. Sian and Faith are there and from what we can gather, he’s armed and he’s holding them hostage.’
Matilda told Rory to wait in the kitchen while she ran upstairs to get dressed. She closed the door to the living room before he could see the mass of boxes and books she had recently inherited. After a few minutes she ran into the kitchen where she found Rory eating an apple.
‘Sorry,’ he said. ‘I hope you don’t mind. I was feeling a bit sick. I haven’t eaten since lunchtime.’
She smiled. ‘Let’s go. You can fill me in on the way there.’
Once Sian had realized they were in a hostage situation she had put her hand in her pocket where her mobile phone was and dialled the last number she had called – Rory’s. He had been in Meadowhall at the time trying to find something cheap but expensive looking for Amelia’s birthday when his phone rang.
Above the din of chattering shoppers he couldn’t make out much of what Sian was saying but he was under no illusion she was in trouble.
‘How do you know she’s being held hostage?’ Matilda asked as they made their way quickly, but cautiously, along the back roads of Sheffield.
‘She told him to stop pointing the gun at her. I called the station and the sergeant on the front desk with the lazy eye told me he saw Sian and Faith head out about half an hour earlier. I looked on the tracking device on Sian’s car and it’s in the vicinity of Alice’s home.’
‘Sian has a tracking device on her car?’
‘We all have?’
‘Do we? Have I?’
‘Yes.’
‘Oh. I don’t know if I like that.’
‘I’ll ask you the next time you’re being held hostage,’ Rory said through gritted teeth as he tried to squeeze his car around a slow moving people carrier towing a caravan. ‘I fucking hate caravans.’
‘You should have taken Abbeydale.’
‘It’s gridlocked, probably a broken-down bus or something.’
‘So what’s happening now?’
‘The ACC said she was going to the station and she’s going to organize the Firearms Unit to meet us at the scene. She asked where you were and I said I’d already called and you were on your way back in.’
‘Thanks Rory,’ she said. She looked across at him and smiled but his eyes were fixed on the road ahead. ‘I hope Alice’s kids aren’t at home.’
‘Where else are they going to be?’
‘Didn’t someone say her sister’s been having them a bit since her husband died?’
‘Yes. Let’s hope they’re there tonight.’
They turned onto Broad Elms Lane and parked several doors up from the Hardaker house. They looked at each other with worried faces when they both saw Sian’s car.
The road was in darkness, save for the useless solar street lights. It was difficult to think that among these perfectly set houses, neatly trimmed bushes, freshly mown lawns, and quaint hanging baskets, an armed siege was taking place.
They stepped out of the car as the rest of the team arrived. The ACC, in a crisp uniform, jumped out before the car came to a halt.
‘Matilda, what the hell is going on?’
‘We’ve just arrived ourselves, ma’am,’ she said, holding herself to keep warm against the stiff breeze. Thankfully it had stopped raining.
‘Who’s in there?’
‘As far as we know Sian and Faith. We think the gunman is Colin Theobald and I’m guessing Alice Hardaker is there too. No idea if the kids are at home.’
‘I bloody hope not. Right,’ she said, clapping her leather-gloved hands together, ‘the Firearms Unit are delayed. There was more unrest at Page Hall this evening. In the meantime, we need to proceed with caution.’
‘What do you suggest?’
‘To be perfectly honest, Matilda, I haven’t a bloody clue.’
Twenty minutes went by with everyone standing around waiting for something, anything, to happen. The only difference was everyone was now wearing a ballistic vest. A white van came around the corner and a team of officers carrying automatic weapons jumped out of the back. Superintendent Edmund Hasselbank stepped out of the front and joined the ACC and Matilda. They shook hands.
‘Nice to see you again, Valerie,’ Hasselbank said. He had the stance of a drill sergeant, the crew cut of an Action Man, and the mixed accent of a Scotsman who’s been living in Yorkshire too long.
‘You too. Look, this is all yours. Anything you want or need you’ve got it. As far as we know there are four adults in there; two of them are my police officers. There are two children who live at the property but we don’t know if they’re in there.’
‘Until we know for certain, we’ll assume they are. Has the gunman made contact?’
‘As far as we know he isn’t even aware we’re here.’
‘Even better. Is there a back way into the house?’
The ACC looked to Matilda for the answer.
‘There is but it’s not easy. I’ve been on Google Earth and if you go to the next street there are some flats. Between the two properties is a small woodland area. You can get through there to the back garden of the property,’ Matilda said.
‘Excellent. I’ll send a few men round. In the meantime, make sure nobody leaves their homes or looks out of the windows. Don’t do anything until I get back,’ he said, looking at Valerie, Matilda, and Rory in turn.
‘You heard the man,’ Valerie said. She looked out of her depth and was obviously pleased Edmund Hasselbank had turned up. She knew him of old and his capability for the job. He was a natural leader and maintained a cool and calm approach under stress. He was born for tasks like this.
Valerie returned to her car to make a call to the Chief Constable, while Rory assembled a team of uniformed officers to make door-to-door enquiries, to find out who was actually in the Hardaker house and to tell them to remain indoors and away from their windows. He also needed to call Aaron and Scott; every man was needed.
Matilda remained rooted to the spot. She was on the pavement directly opposite 101 Broad Elms Lane and kept her eyes firmly on the house. She strained, refusing to blink, as if she was using X-ray vision to see through brick. Eventually, something caught her eyes and she snapped out of her reverie.
There was a gap in the living room curtains where they failed to meet in the middle. Through this gap Matilda could see there was a light on, and now, someone had just moved across it. The living room was occupied. Is this where the gunman was?
She went to the Armed Response Vehicle and asked for a pair of binoculars. Going back to her spot she lifted them up and adjusted the settings to get a clear image. It wasn’t perfect but she was sure she could make out colours dancing on a television screen, and— Matilda lowered the binoculars.
Matilda ran to the car where Valerie was ending a call on her mobile. She didn’t look too happy.
‘Ma’am, the kids are in the house.’
‘Shit!’
Valerie climbed out of the car and looked around for Edmund but he wasn’t there. He had gone to the next street to instruct his officers to find a safe position among the undergrowth and focus on the Hardaker’s house.
‘Are you sure?’
‘Positive.’
‘Any sign of the gunman?’
‘No. I wasn’t looking for long enough but it looks like the kids are just watching television.’
‘Then maybe Theobald is holding his hostages in another part of the house,’ Valerie guessed.
‘Or maybe he’s left already. We’ve put these cars through the ANPR and they’re all registered to people in this road. Either Colin Theobald is clever enough to park in another street or he’s been and gone.’
‘But Sian’s car’s still here.’
‘I know,’ Matilda said, not wanting to think the inevitable. Had Colin Theobald left the h
ouse with whatever he came for and shot his hostages? It would not look good for Valerie or Matilda if two police officers had been shot dead while they had stood outside in the cold waiting for nothing to happen.
‘Keep watching the living room until Edmund comes back. It’s his call.’
Matilda went back to her observation point and looked through the binoculars, focusing on the living room once again. There was definitely a television switched on: she could see the reflection of images against the back wall. Nobody seemed to be moving about. She remained engrossed, gripping the binoculars hard, not daring to blink in case she missed even the slightest hint of movement.
There it was. Someone was coming to the window. The curtains were opening a little. A young face popped through. It was a boy.
Matilda’s heart raced. She didn’t look about her in case she drew attention to herself. She walked slowly, but with determination, across the road and onto the Hardaker’s drive. The young boy at the window saw her and gave a little wave. She smiled and ducked under the view from the glass in the front door and crouched the rest of the distance to the living room window. She instructed the boy to open it.
‘Hello,’ she said in her best sing-song voice. ‘Is your mummy in there with you?’
‘No. Just me and my sister,’ he said in his usual volume. Matilda wanted to ask him to lower his voice but didn’t want to frighten him.
‘OK. Where is your mum?’
‘She’s in the kitchen with Auntie Jenny making the tea. And two women policemen.’
‘Oh right. What are you having for tea?’
‘Pasta and meatballs I think.’
‘Yummy. My name’s Matilda. What’s yours?’
‘Warren.’
‘And what’s your sister called?’
‘Milly.’
‘Warren, I’m a police officer too. I really need to speak to your mum. Do you think you could let me in?’
‘How do I know you’re a police officer?’
Matilda struggled for her warrant card from the pocket under her ballistic vest. She eventually wrestled it free and showed it to the boy. His eyes lit up.
‘The other lady showed me hers but yours is better,’ he said, taking it from her. ‘I really want to be a policeman when I grow up.’
‘That’s great. I think you’d be a good policeman.’
‘Do you think so?’
‘Definitely,’ she smiled. ‘Warren, will you do me a favour?’
‘What?’
‘I need you and your sister to come to the front door for me. Don’t let your mum know. Just come and open the door. Will you do that?’
‘Why?’
Matilda thought for a few long seconds. She wasn’t good with children and had no idea how she was supposed to placate them during times of stress. ‘Well, I’m not supposed to tell you but me and your mum are playing a game and I want to surprise her.’
‘Can we play?’
‘Not right now. In a little while you can. But first I need you and Milly to open the front door and step outside and then I’ll pop in and get your mum. Will you do that?’
He frowned while he weighed up his options. ‘OK,’ he said. He trotted away from the window and over to the door leading into the hallway.
Matilda moved to the front door. She looked behind her and saw Rory standing on the pavement opposite the driveway. His face was pale and the look of stricken horror was evident.
‘What the fuck are you doing?’ he mouthed at her.
Before she could reply the front door opened and shrouded in the light of the hallway stood Warren and Milly in their school uniform, oblivious to the events going on somewhere in the house. Matilda breathed a sigh of relief.
‘Do you see that man behind me?’ Matilda asked them turning and pointing at Rory. ‘He’s a really good friend of mine and he knows some really funny jokes too. I want you to run over to him right now, OK?’
It was only now that Warren and Milly appeared sceptical about what was happening.
‘I don’t know. I should probably go and ask Mum.’
Matilda turned around and beckoned Rory towards her. Grudgingly, he went, crouched down.
‘Take the kids,’ she said to him.
She pulled Warren and Milly out of the house. Rory placed his arm around them both and ran up the drive and across the road. Matilda could hear their protestations but ignored them. She waited until they were safely across the road before entering the house and closing the front door firmly behind her.
FORTY-EIGHT
Matilda stood in the hallway; the silence enveloping her. She could only imagine the scene of chaos outside as ACC Masterson and Superintendent Hasselbank learned of her unprofessional conduct. She knew she would face serious repercussions for her actions – providing she survived them. After what she had been through tonight, however, she didn’t care what was thrown at her. She had saved the lives of two innocent children. If she had to take a bullet to save the lives of two of her colleagues, then so be it.
There were four doors leading off the hallway: the toilet, the dining room, the living room, and the kitchen. They were all closed. Taking slow and careful steps she listened intently to what was going on in each room.
‘How many people are going to have to die tonight, Alice?’
‘I … I … please. I don’t know what you’re talking about.’
‘Are you going to keep this up all night? I’ve just killed your sister. Who do I have to kill for you to tell the truth? Do you want me to bring your kids in here?’
‘No!’
‘Then hand over the money. Look, this is a nice house, I don’t mind taking goods to the value you owe. I’m sure you’ve got some expensive jewellery. You’ve got two minutes to make up your mind or I’ll bring one of your kids in here.’
Matilda stepped back from the kitchen door. The exchange between Colin and Alice was terrifying. Alice was obviously in an emotional state. She was sobbing uncontrollably and refusing to give in to Colin’s demands. He sounded determined. His voice was full of rage and venom. He meant business. Had he really killed her sister? Matilda couldn’t hear anyone else’s voice so didn’t know if Sian and Faith were in there. She had two minutes to do something or he would open the door and go for one of the kids. When he found them missing, who knew what he would do.
It seemed to take ages but she grabbed the cold doorknob and turned it slowly and gently. The door didn’t open. It was locked from the inside.
There was a small faux-antique desk in the hallway that screamed veneer. She pulled open the drawers and rummaged around among the pens, batteries, odd gloves, and little packets of tissues until she came across a small bunch of keys. They were all identical but she guessed they had to be to the locks of the internal doors. All the doors matched so it seemed obvious the keys would match.
She went back to the kitchen door and inserted the key in the centre of the lock. She turned it slowly, listening for a click but it stuck halfway. It was the wrong key. It took another two attempts before she found the correct one. As the door unlocked, Matilda realized she had been holding her breath and she let out a huge sigh of relief.
Walpole, Compton, Pelham, Pelham-Holles, Cavendish, Pelham-Holles, Stuart, Grenville, Wentworth.
Now was not the time for an anxiety attack to set in. She needed to have a clear mind in order to take control of the situation. She almost scoffed. She hadn’t had a clear mind for over a year, why should right now be any different?
Pitt the Elder, Fitzroy, North, Wentworth, Petty, Bentinck, Pitt the Younger, Addington.
‘Fuck it,’ she said to herself. She counted to three and pushed the door wide open and entered the kitchen.
‘Why don’t we all just calm down and talk about this like sensible adults?’
Matilda stopped dead in her tracks as Colin Theobald turned quickly and aimed his gun at her. Her eyes darted to Sian who was standing by a leather sofa with a tearful Alice Hardaker and Faith Easte
r sitting down. Sian proffered a small smile of relief at seeing her boss.
‘Who the fuck are you?’
‘I’m Detective Chief Inspector Matilda Darke from South Yorkshire Police.’
‘Darke?’ Colin started laughing. ‘Oh my God, they’ve sent you? This is brilliant. I know South Yorkshire Police are struggling at the moment but are they really so desperate that they’ve sent you into a hostage situation?’
Matilda tried not to look hurt but it wasn’t easy.
‘You’re the equivalent to the canary they sent down the mines to make sure it was safe.’ He turned to his three hostages. ‘I hope you realize that you’re all going to end up dead before this is over. This woman is to a successful case what I am to a nine-to-five job.’
‘I heard you saying something about money you’re owed,’ Matilda said. Her voice was shaking. The tiny piece of confidence she had managed to muster out in the hallway had disappeared. Did everyone who read the local newspaper think the same way about her? Was she a joke?
‘I’m not going through all this again,’ he waved the gun to the leather sofa. ‘Go and join your fellow bitches.’
‘Mr Theobald, you don’t seem to understand the seriousness of the situation. There are armed police surrounding this entire house. You won’t be going anywhere. So put the gun down and let’s talk about this down at the station.’
He laughed. ‘You sound like a tough bitch copper, you’ve got the words and everything, but I’m not feeling it. I bet if I put the end of this gun in your mouth you’d just stand there and piss yourself. Now, I’m owed twenty grand. I don’t care how I get it, or who gives it to me, but I’m not leaving this house until I get it. And if that means you four slags end up with bullets in your heads, and those two kids get cut up, then so be it.’
‘Oh God,’ Alice broke down once again. Faith put a comforting arm around her but the gesture was hollow. She was just as petrified.
‘Alice, your children are safe. I led them out of the house myself.’
‘What?’ she asked, a smile of relief spreading across her face.
‘What?’ Colin asked. ‘You took the kids out of the house?’
‘Yes. You’re running out of options Mr Theobald. Now put down the gun.’
