First Response

LAMBETH CENTRAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMAND CENTRE (7.10 p.m.)

‘The door’s open,’ said Gillard. Kamran’s mobile rang on his desk and he dashed over to it. Number withheld. ‘It’s Shahid.’ He waited for Gillard, Thatcher and Waterman to put on their headphones before he picked up the phone and accepted the call. ‘Yes?’ he said.

‘Mr Kamran?’

Kamran frowned. It was a man, but not Shahid. ‘Speaking.’

‘Do you have a pension, Mr Kamran?’

‘A pension?’

‘You might not be aware of the fact but the regulations regarding the monetisation of pension funds changed recently and we are in a position to offer you a package…’

‘You’re trying to sell me financial advice?’ asked Kamran.

‘We’re not trying to sell you anything, Mr Kamran, but I’m sure you would like to maximise the income from any pension fund you have, wouldn’t you?’

‘Don’t use this number again,’ said Kamran. He ended the call. Gillard, Thatcher and Waterman took off their headphones. Kamran looked at Thatcher. ‘Why isn’t he calling?’ he asked the negotiator.

Thatcher shrugged. ‘Maybe he’s trying to build the tension,’ he said.

‘Well, it’s working, all right,’ said Waterman.

‘The prisoners are there and so are the bombers,’ said Kamran. ‘And we don’t know what he wants us to do next.’

‘On the bright side, from now on we’ll be the only ones who’ll see what’s happening,’ said Waterman. ‘From a PR point of view, they’ve just gone several steps backwards.’

‘Maybe it’s not about PR,’ said Kamran.

‘But what, then?’ asked Gillard. ‘What the hell does he want? And why won’t he tell us?’ He looked up at the screen. ‘What do we do now? Wait or send in the negotiators?’

‘I’d recommend waiting,’ said Thatcher. ‘Shahid has planned this perfectly so far. He must have something in mind.’

‘I just wish he’d let us know what,’ said Gillard.