First Response

LAMBETH CENTRAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMAND CENTRE (5.34 p.m.)

‘What the hell is wrong with those people?’ asked Kamran, staring up at the large screen that was showing the Sky News feed. The pavements were crowded with people filming the coach on their phones as it went by. ‘Don’t they realise there are bombs on that coach? If it goes up there’ll be shrapnel and broken glass everywhere.’

‘We’ve told people to stay away but they’re just not listening,’ said Gillard. ‘And we don’t have the manpower to clear the pavements.’

‘This could be Shahid’s plan, right from the start,’ Kamran mused. ‘Get all the bombs on the coach, then detonate among the crowds. Even if it went off now, with just three bombs on board, they’d kill and maim dozens. By the time the last bomber is on there’ll be nine, and if that went up in south London…’ He shuddered.

‘You’re right, Mo,’ said Gillard. ‘We need to make sure that doesn’t happen.’ He waved at Sergeant Lumley. ‘We need to clear the streets on the route,’ he said. ‘Get as many police as you can out there and move everyone off the pavements. And I mean everyone.’

‘I’m on it, sir.’

‘The roads to the airport are going to have to be cleared,’ said Gillard.

‘It’s not the roads that are the problem,’ said Kamran. ‘It’s the pavements. The gawkers. The idiots who want a selfie as the coach goes by. Can you talk to Lisa? She needs to make sure the media are pumping out warnings. People need to understand just what will happen if those bombs go off on the coach.’

Kamran picked up his phone and dialled the press officer’s mobile. It went straight through to voicemail so he left a message. As he was talking, he looked up at the clock. It was twenty-five to six. He put the phone down and went over to Gillard. ‘You know, the bombers will pretty much all be on board at six,’ he said. ‘If Shahid has been planning a spectacular all along, that would be the time to do it.’

‘What are you thinking?’

‘I don’t know, but as the clock hits six we want as few people near that coach as possible.’