First Response

LAMBETH CENTRAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMAND CENTRE (2.00 p.m.)

Sergeant Lumley put his hand over the phone he was holding. ‘Sir, you might want to take this. Guy on the line says he wants to talk to the man in charge about the demands of the suicide bombers.’

‘Are you sure he’s not a crank?’ asked Kamran. ‘They’ll all be coming out of the woodwork today.’

‘He seems to know what he’s talking about. Design of the vests, location of the bombers.’

‘Anyone who’s watching Sky would know most of the details,’ said Kamran.

‘He sounds like the genuine article, sir.’

Kamran wrinkled his nose, then took the phone from the sergeant. ‘Who is this?’ he said.

‘My name is Shahid — at least that’s what you can call me. You are?’

‘Superintendent Kamran.’

‘And you are the Gold Commander?’

‘Yes. For now. I’m expecting a more senior officer at any moment.’

‘But you’re the acting Gold Commander?’

‘Yes.’

‘Then you are my point of contact from now on. I’ll talk to you and no one else. Do you understand?’

‘I’m not the best person for that. I’m not a trained negotiator.’

‘You’re my point of contact. I won’t be talking to anyone else in future. Do you understand?’

‘Yes,’ said Kamran.

‘Good. Now what’s your first name?’

‘Mo.’

‘Mo is short for Maurice?’

‘Mohammed.’

There was a silence for several seconds. ‘You are fucking shitting me?’

‘That’s my name. Mohammed Kamran. Superintendent Mohammed Kamran.’

‘You’re a Muslim?’

‘Very few non-Muslim boys get to be called Mohammed.’

‘Don’t fuck around, Mo. Are you a Muslim or not?’

‘Yes. I am.’

‘A good Muslim?’

‘I try to be.’

‘You pray five times a day, you plan to visit Mecca one day, you give ten per cent of your earnings to charity?’

‘Like I said, I try to be a good Muslim. I do the best I can.’

‘And they fast-tracked you, did they? Because you’re Asian and a Muslim?’

‘I wish,’ said Kamran. ‘I walked a beat for five years and drove around in a Territorial Support Group van as a sergeant for three. I’ve been lucky, but I didn’t get preferential treatment. I worked for my rank. Why? Do you have a problem with Muslim police officers, Shahid?’ Lumley was grinning and giving him a thumbs-up.

‘I just think it’s one hell of a coincidence that you’re in charge, on today of all days.’

‘I’ve had experience in policing major events,’ said Kamran. ‘But, as I said, a more senior officer will be taking over shortly.’

‘No, you tell everyone that I’m only talking to you from now on. You’re my point of contact and only you. Make that clear to one and all, right, Mo?’

‘If that’s what you want, Shahid. You’re the one calling the shots.’

‘Then we’re on the same wavelength, Mo. You and me, we’re going to get along just fine, I can tell.’

Sergeant Lumley stood up and punched the air. He picked up a phone and started talking animatedly.

‘So what is it you want, Shahid?’ asked Kamran, keeping his voice as calm as he could. By the look of it the sergeant had managed to trace the call.

‘What I want is the six brothers released from Belmarsh. Can you handle that, Mo?’

‘How do I know you have any connection to the incidents?’ said Kamran.

‘One of them is in a childcare centre in Kensington,’ said Shahid.

‘That’s been on television,’ said Kamran. ‘Everyone knows that.’

‘I will arrange for the children to be released,’ said Shahid. ‘Our quarrel is not with innocents. I shall arrange for their release, then call you back. But I need a direct line for you, Mo. From this point on I will talk with you and no one else.’

Kamran started to give him a landline number but Shahid cut him short. ‘Your mobile, Mo. Your personal mobile. It’s that or nothing.’

Kamran gave him the number of his mobile. Shahid repeated it once, then cut the connection.

Lumley put down the phone. ‘We’ve got a location,’ he said. ‘Brixton. There are two ARVs en route as we speak. Well done on keeping him talking as long as you did.’

‘It wasn’t down to me,’ said Kamran. ‘I couldn’t shut him up.’

‘Well, we’ve got him now, that’s the important thing.’