First Response

LAMBETH CENTRAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMAND CENTRE (7.07 p.m.)

Kamran was watching two screens on the main wall of the special operations room. One was showing Sky News. Their helicopter had got as close to the airport as it had been allowed but they had lost sight of the coach and the channel was broadcasting now from the gates of the airport. Police were stopping anyone going in but they had allowed the news crews and photographers to set up a short distance away.

The second screen was showing the live feed from the police helicopter, which had been authorised to fly over the airport. The overhead view showed the coach a few hundred yards away from the airport entrance. Kamran twisted around and called over to Gillard, ‘They’re arriving at the airport now, Philip.’

The chief superintendent stood up and joined him at the doorway. The convoy was powering along the road, blue lights flashing. The lead police motorcycles turned into the airport and drove through the gate, followed by an ARV, then the coach.

The Sky News screen showed a close-up of the driver, who was turning his head away from the camera, then the blacked-out windows flashed by.

A third screen showed the feed from the hangar, where the SAS were waiting behind walls of sandbags, weapons at the ready. All eyes in the SOR were on the black and white view inside the hangar.