First Response

LAMBETH CENTRAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMAND CENTRE (6.47 p.m.)

Kamran and Gillard looked up at the screen as the coach pulled away from the Southwark restaurant. ‘That’s it. The last one’s on board,’ said Kamran.

The coach headed south, preceded by six police motorcycles with flashing lights, a police van and an armed-response vehicle, half a dozen police vans and the two black Range Rovers that contained the SAS.

‘It’s looking good,’ said Murray, who was standing behind the two police officers. ‘In terms of numbers, we’re well ahead of the game now. Worst possible scenario, if the bus goes up we only lose nine hostages and my man.’

‘Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,’ said Gillard.

‘You and me both,’ said Murray. ‘I’m just saying that we’ve gone from having close to a hundred civilians at risk to just nine. That’s bloody good going.’

‘I’m not sure the great British public will see it that way if the coach goes up in flames,’ said Kamran.

The helicopter tracked the convoy south towards Croydon. The police were using motorbikes to keep the road ahead clear. It was causing traffic chaos but they had no choice. Anything other than a clear run to the airport would put lives at risk.

‘How long before they reach Biggin Hill?’ asked Murray.

‘It’s fifteen miles,’ said Kamran. ‘Usually it would take about an hour but we’ve cleared the roads so it shouldn’t take much more than twenty minutes. Your men are ready to go?’

‘Locked and loaded,’ said Murray.

‘We’re still negotiating, remember that,’ said Kamran.

‘Absolutely,’ said the SAS captain. ‘But this time we’ll be negotiating from a position of strength.’

‘We’ve sent a negotiating team from Bromley. Have they arrived yet?’

‘They’ve just got in. We’re keeping them outside the hangar with the rest of the police until we’re sure we have the situation in hand.’

‘I understand that, Alex, but I have to stress that we need to talk to them before we move in. We have to give them the option of surrendering.’

‘We’ll do that, but I won’t be holding my breath.’