First Response

LAMBETH CENTRAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMAND CENTRE (3.50 p.m.)

Kamran’s mobile phone rang. He hurried over to his desk and checked the screen. It was showing number withheld. ‘I think this is him,’ he said to Gillard.

The chief superintendent went over to Chris Thatcher’s workstation. Thatcher had run a wire from the earphone socket of Kamran’s phone to a grey metal box with a line of small lights on the top and sockets on the side, from which ran leads to four sets of headphones. Thatcher had already put on one set and Gillard, Waterman and Murray followed his example. The grey box contained a hard drive that would record both sides of the conversation, and the headsets would allow them to listen in without Shahid knowing.

‘Remember, take it slowly,’ said Thatcher. ‘There’s always a tendency to rush. Big breaths every time you speak.’ He had a small whiteboard in front of him and a black marker so that he could write messages for Kamran if necessary.

Kamran looked at Sergeant Lumley, who was already working to trace the incoming call. Lumley flashed him a thumbs-up and Kamran pressed the green button to accept the call. ‘Superintendent Kamran,’ he said.

‘You took your time, Mo,’ said Shahid. ‘Are you trying to make me sweat?’

Kamran took a breath and exhaled. ‘It’s hectic here, Shahid, as you can imagine. And you’re the one who’s been keeping us waiting. It’s more than an hour and a half since we last spoke. The ball’s in your court. Has been from the start.’

‘I’ve got a lot on my plate too,’ said Shahid. ‘Time is running out, Mo. Just a little over two hours to go.’

‘I know, I know. You need to give us more time. There’s a lot to arrange.’

‘Are the prisoners being prepared for release?’

‘It’s under consideration.’

Thatcher held up his whiteboard. He’d written two words in block capitals. DON’T LIE.

‘By who?’

‘The prime minister. He’s discussing it with the Joint Intelligence Committee as we speak.’

‘He does realise that the clock is ticking? If those six men are not released by six p.m., all the brothers will detonate their bombs.’

‘He understands that, Shahid. We all do.’

‘Then you need to hurry him up, Mo. Or you’ll have blood on your hands. A lot of blood.’

‘Once the prisoners have been released, what then?’ asked Kamran.

‘What do you mean?’

‘What happens to your people? With the bombs?’

‘They are to be taken to the airport, of course. I told you that last time. They are to fly out with the brothers from Belmarsh.’

‘You want me to arrange that?’

‘No, they can call cabs. Are you fucking with me, Mo? Of course you need to arrange that.’

Thatcher held up his board again. SLOW DOWN. BREATHE.

Kamran realised he had speeded up and took a deep breath.

‘Did you hear me, Mo?’

‘Yes, I heard you. I’ll arrange it. But, Shahid, we need a gesture of good faith from you.’

‘I have already released the children. You can take the credit for that. You don’t need more.’

‘It’s not about taking credit, Shahid. As you said, this isn’t about hurting innocents. And there are children on the bus. A baby and two schoolchildren. Can you let them off?’

‘Are you fucking with me, Mo?’

‘I just want the children out of there. Men don’t kill children, Shahid. You know that.’

‘When the prime minister announces that the brothers are being released, I will release the children on the bus. But your time is running out, Mo. At six o’clock, my people will sacrifice themselves and their hostages.’

‘And there are two children at the shopping centre in Wandsworth. Two toddlers. Can you let them go, too?’

‘How do you know there are kids in there? The centre was evacuated.’

‘We sent in food for the kids. They were crying.’

‘You did what?’

‘The kids were crying, we sent in food…’ began Kamran, but Shahid had already cut the connection.