First Response

BIGGIN HILL AIRPORT (7.30 p.m.)

A uniformed constable walked over to Adams. ‘Sorry, sir, but we have a problem with one of the hostages. Says he’s an MP and he’s refusing to stay.’

‘Ah. The Right Honourable Roger Metcalfe,’ said Adams.

‘He’s demanding to speak to whoever’s in charge,’ said the constable.

‘That would be me,’ said Adams. ‘Come on, then.’

The constable took Adams to the main terminal where the hostages had been placed in the main arrivals area, seated apart from each other and accompanied by uniformed officers.

A uniformed sergeant came over. His name was Andy Peters, based at the Bromley station, and he was the Bronze Commander. ‘I’m sorry, sir, but Mr Metcalfe is insisting that he talks to a senior officer.’

‘Not a problem,’ said Adams. ‘How are you getting on?’

‘We’ve got one forensic team here and there’s another on the way,’ said the sergeant. ‘They’ll do the photographs, too. We have a problem with one of the hostages. She’s a Muslim and refuses to take off her clothes.’

‘Let her be, then,’ said Adam. ‘Maybe suggest a female officer accompanies her home and collects the clothing there. And see about getting food for anyone who wants it. Let’s try to keep everyone happy.’

Adams saw the MP was staring at them so he went over to introduce himself. ‘I’m Inspector Ian Adams,’ he said, ‘Silver Commander here.’

‘Which means you’re the man in charge?’ snapped the MP.

‘That’s correct.’

‘Then you need to tell your men to stop preventing me from going home.’

‘We just need you to help us with our enquiries for a little while longer, sir.’

‘I’m not under arrest?’

‘No, sir, you’re not.’

‘So I’m free to go. I can order a taxi and just go home?’

‘As I said, sir, we’d prefer that you help us with our enquiries. We’ll try to make it as quick and painless as possible. I’m sure you want us to catch whoever is responsible for this.’

‘I’m not sure how holding me against my will achieves that objective,’ said Metcalfe.

‘You might have information that would assist us,’ said Adams.

‘I was taken hostage. My life was threatened. I was forced onto a coach and driven to the middle of nowhere. You have the man in custody and, as you like to say, he’s bang to rights.’

Adams looked pained. ‘That’s not what we say, sir. That’s more for television. We need to gather evidence and you are part of that process, I’m afraid.’

‘Well, I’ve told you what happened, and now I would like to go home. Or are you holding me against my will?’

Adams shook his head. ‘No one is holding you against your will, Mr Metcalfe.’

‘Then I’d like to go.’

‘Let me be frank with you, Mr Metcalfe. You’re quite right, I cannot detain you against your will. But I can ask you to remove your shoes and clothing as they need to be examined forensically. I will be giving you a paper suit and paper shoe covers to wear. If you then want to call a taxi and go home, you are free to do so. But if you make your own travel arrangements there is nothing I can do to prevent the press getting pictures of you in that state and, trust me, those pictures won’t be flattering.’

‘Are you threatening me, Inspector?’

Adams smiled amiably. ‘I’m just pointing out that if you make your own arrangements you’ll be at the mercy of the press. If you let us do our job we can keep you away from the cameras. It’s your call, sir.’

Metcalfe glared at the inspector for several seconds, then sighed. ‘Fine. But do try to speed things up.’

‘Absolutely,’ said Adams. ‘Believe me, no one wants this to drag on a moment longer than necessary.’