STATUS DRIFT: A gripping undercover detective crime thriller, page 17
‘Yes, ma’am.’
Winter leaves.
29
‘Klara!’ Mike shouts across the canteen.
Winter nods and indicates with her index fingers the letter T. We hold our cups up and she knows we’re good. Rude not to get her one in but we thought she might be a while longer. She comes over weaving through tables, her large handbag slung over her left shoulder.
I draw a chair out beside me; she sits down placing her drink on the table. Takeaway cup always. We never sit for long.
‘Jesus, she was a pain in the arse today, eh? Two weeks to wrap this job up? She’s having a laugh. I did my best afterwards but she gave me a pill and sent me away.’ Winter stops and drinks.
‘We won’t let it die an early death,’ Mike says. ‘Razor’s a shrewd bastard. He’ll want things moving if there are any legs in what you were saying about this shooting. Just seen a bit on the news. Shocking it could take place on London streets in broad daylight.’ Mike pauses for effect but Winter carries on drinking.
‘You can’t tell me that you know nothing of this? Batford, you’re in his club, there must be some talk?’ Winter has to rope me into a dull conversation.
‘Everything I know has been passed to Mike to deliver to you. I have nothing more to add. Razor’s ready to move on something though. I just need more time to find out what.’
‘Well, we’ve all heard the commander. We have two weeks and the clock’s ticking. It’s down to you now, Batford. You’re the closest person we have to him. If he says or does nothing, then I do a firearms warrant on a Polish man’s door and hope for a decent result. Mike, I need you on speed-dial now to make this job work.’
Winter gets up and Mike raises his Styrofoam cup in recognition of her request. She says farewell and exits the canteen.
‘Well, sir? What the fuck do you have in mind now?’
Mike motions for me to leave. I follow him out of the building and we cross the road and lean on the Embankment wall.
‘It’ll happen within twenty-four hours,’ Mike says. ‘He called me last night. We had a few beers at a local near him. He has a shipment in his sights but he’s said no more than that. Says he’ll tell me when it’s on the move. The idea is he’ll let it run then let us know when to hit it. Spend more time with him from here, Sam. Let me know what’s happening. I’ll call Winter after this and make sure you’re covered outside.’ Mike screws up his cup and lobs it over the wall into the Thames.
I say nothing, just nod and leave. Someone is yanking my chain and I need to know who.
30
Winter hands her menu to the waiter and pauses as he collects Hudson and Kennedy’s. The restaurant is alive with chatter, which suits Winter.
She turns to Kennedy. ‘I wanted an open meet, somewhere you’d be comfortable. Shame it’s drinks only. It’s busy enough that we can talk freely without our conversation being picked up. It’s a shame you couldn’t get here earlier than midday but I understand why. You are pivotal to the success of this operation. Without you we’re struggling to understand what Razor is planning and more importantly when and how he proposes to execute it.’
‘It’s not been easy getting close to Sky. Last time he was in the club it nearly kicked off. What I do know is that Razor needs him. The job is big. Razor needs a guy taking out – a Turk. This Turk runs a large family who import heroin and Razor wants the line for his club. He’ll deal it and launder the money through the business. The club has a great turnover. Razor has an accountant who’s a tight manager of his finances and that’s the way he likes it. He was inspected by HMRC a few years back and nothing came of it. Everything was accounted for, down to the last straw and cocktail umbrella.’
‘We need you to get closer to Sky. We need to know what he’s up to and how he’s spending his day. You know the limits you can go to and that hasn’t changed. From here I want updates regularly. The clock is counting down. The longer we’re here the more time we lose. This is ramping up and so must you if you want to see this to the end and leave the firm with no problems,’ Winter says.
‘Good. I need a new start, well away from here.’
Winter passes a newspaper to Kennedy. ‘In this newspaper is an envelope with five hundred pounds. Put your mark here, below your name, on this paper. I’m not concerned about receipts. It’s all there; I counted it before we came. A result is what I want from this and the right people banged up for a long time. Be careful though. Don’t be foolish. They’ll be getting twitchy the closer it gets to the job happening. You must keep your wits about you. We’re live as of 1232 hours. All updates of targets through DI Hudson who will be with me.’
Alex Kennedy takes the newspaper and leaves.
31
At first glance it could be like any other suburban house in a quiet residential cul-de-sac in Mill Hill. That’s until you realise each house has its own gated entrance and more cameras than GCHQ. I never expected to get an early lunch invite but how could I refuse from a man who has come to see himself as my boss? Poor deluded fool. The gates open as my bike purrs up to the camera.
I park the bike up in a garage whose doors open at the same time as I ride in. An intentional invite, I call it. The bike’s engine noise dissolves into the garage walls and I’m left with the sound of my leathers creaking.
‘Take the lift to your left, Sky. First floor.’ A familiar voice comes through an intercom system.
I notice the lift and step in. It has three levels – basement, ground and first. I do as requested and press the first. The lift glides up quickly and I arrive at my destination. The doors open and I exit.
‘Thanks for coming; take a seat.’ Razor points at a leather chair and footstool.
‘I could do with getting out of these leathers.’
‘Take them off and dump them over by the bar. Faye will get them when she comes through with the drinks.’
I take off my leathers. A woman who I assume is Faye enters the room carrying a tray and two glasses of what appears to be whisky. She takes my leathers, smiles and leaves. There’s no introduction from Razor.
‘Your wife?’
‘No, domestic help. The wife’s out with my mum at a hospital appointment. The lift’s for her. She lives on the ground floor and we care for her here. She’s ninety but at this rate she’ll outlive us all.’
I take my seat and drink and look out through the open-plan panoramic windows at a garden that’s in better health than me.
‘I’ve given you enough time to make your decision. I know you’ve come to the right one or you wouldn’t be here in my home drinking my Scotch and taking in my family photos.’
He takes a drink and I nurse mine.
‘You’re right, I have made up my mind. I’m in. I’ve come to recognise you as a man who knows what he wants and gets what he wants, as am I. I know you’ve got this laid on and you just need it executed quickly and efficiently. Thing is I can’t afford to mess about waiting. The wipe-out of his son is still fresh and that’s a good time to seek peace. It’s also a good time to send the message to others if he doesn’t come on board.’
‘Good. Suits me. I need it done today. There’s no money up front. I need to know the job’s done before you’ll see the cash, but you’ll see it. If you don’t, well you know where I live.’
He raises his glass and I reciprocate. The job’s on.
‘Time is everything. If I stay longer, I’ll get pissed and be good for nothing. I thought you might insist on a quick turnaround. All I need is a photo the target.’
‘I had a feeling you’d only be hungry for one thing. On this paper is a number for Polish. He has something for you. It’s clean and he’s told me it’s better than the pile of shit he gave Trigger. Kat has an envelope with the photo in it. I’ve told her to shadow you. Snowy put himself forward and I told him where to go. I trust her. She’ll be strapping should you need to come out fighting. This firm are brutal. I wouldn’t put it past the head of the family to have ordered the execution of their own flesh and blood. The Turk’s at a different address this afternoon. Here it is.’
Razor hands me an address on a small piece of paper. It’s the same as the one Mike told me he’d been moved to.
Razor’s phone rings and he presses a button on it. A CCTV image appears on the TV screen. My shadow has arrived.
32
‘Control, from Alpha Eleven.’
‘Alpha Eleven, go ahead,’ the controller says.
‘Subject Batford is still in premises along with an unidentified subject. Possibly subject Mills but no facial confirmation as wearing a crash helmet.’
‘Received by Operational Control. Alpha Eleven, remain in situ. Alpha Twelve, leave current location and cover Alpha Eleven at target premises, over.’
‘Operational Control, from Alpha Twelve, team leader, all received. Making way to vicinity as directed.’
‘All teams from Operational Control are advised subjects may be carrying firearms. You’re not to engage unless authorised or life is threatened. Control out.’
Winter straightens up from her position behind the controller’s chair and pats him on the back. ‘Keep tight on these two. I don’t want them lost at any stage of this operation. This will be fluid from here on in until all teams are stood down on my command only. Other intelligence in relation to Razor and Detective Superintendent Hall is being operated on as we speak. DI Hudson is coordinating that phase. It’s being run by the Metropolitan Police. At times there will be a joint link with our control room and theirs. I have staff monitoring radio traffic from next door. That’s all, thank you.’
As Winter leaves the control room, for the first time since the operation commenced, she turns back and smiles at her staff.
33
No real conversation took place at Razor’s between Kat and I. I couldn’t be arsed and certainly not within the confines of his garage where she was told to wait. I need to be alone but see that option isn’t in my favour just yet. I prefer not to be tied to his piece of ass whilst I take out a prominent Turkish heroin importer. I have my failings like any other member of the human race. I draw the line at killing a man I’ve never met before who has done me no harm.
Yes, he’s flooded the UK with grade A heroin and undoubtedly caused death and upset amongst families and businessmen in the same line of work, but that’s the nature of the work. Outside the garage I pull up my visor and Kat rolls up alongside me on her bike. We keep the engines running in case Razor can pick up outside speech at the flick of a switch.
‘I make it 1 p.m.,’ I say. ‘I need to make a call then we’ll sit down and plan our next move. Wait for me in the next street.’
She nods and moves off.
I follow a short distance then turn into a street opposite and pull over to call Mike. He answers on the third ring.
‘It’s me. I need to speak.’
‘Go on, I’m listening.’
‘Razor wants me to take out the Turk today. He’s linked me up with a gun from Polish but I haven’t got it yet. What do you want me to do? I’ve not got long, he’s put a shadow on me.’
Mike goes quiet.
‘I take it this is the Turk’s father from the earlier hit?’
‘Yes.’
‘He’s not at the home address. He’s been moved to a safe house. I authorised the witness protection today. He’s a grass and he knows too much, Sam. He’s got to go. You’re the only one I can trust to do the job properly. He knows about Razor and me. He’s kept it under wraps until his son was taken out. Now he’s changed his mind and is ready to tell all. I can’t meet you until it’s over.’
‘Have you lost your fucking mind? Is this what this fucking job was all about, cleaning up your fucking mess?’
Mike’s not listening. ‘I need a car. Have you still got yours at that lock-up? I need to lay low until this blows over. A few weeks’ leave. Winter will be no problem. You can handle the debrief.’
‘You think it’s that fucking simple. You’re asking me to kill a man for fuck’s sake! Have you lost the plot? The Command isn’t going to let you fuck off on leave in the middle of this job!’
‘Let me make things crystal. If you don’t do as I say, then I’ll make sure that threat to life becomes a firm hit. Razor will know you’re undercover Old Bill. Between him and Big G, you won’t be able to step outside whatever front door you’ve laid your hat at without thinking someone’s got a bullet with your warrant number on. You’ve escaped three attempts and if you do this there will be no more. You have my word on that. So get with the programme and we can all carry on playing happy families.’
I stop pacing and lean against the seat of the bike. Mike. Mike the man I’ve trusted and respected has been instrumental in trying to get me killed. He wants those who know about him gone. Eradicated. I have two options: call Winter and tell her everything, or do this job my way. It’s a no-brainer. I am reminded of the three P’s I was taught to be wary of early in my career: Prisoners, property and prostitutes. All can land you in deep shit. I have added a fourth: pricks. Of which Mike is one.
‘You’re bluffing, but you leave me no choice. Once this is done, we’re history. The car’s unlocked where it always is. Keys under the front, offside, wheel arch. Enjoy your holiday, sir.’
As the information is relayed, a person appears at the end of the street. It wouldn’t be unusual but this person has stopped and looked my way. He moves on.
I call Kat. ‘Meet me at Stanmore Station car park. We may have company and after the last shock I’m taking no risks. It’s too risky to travel as a unit.’
‘No deal. Don’t get any ideas of fucking off. You try and outrun me or lose me this time and you’re a dead man walking. Razor’s told me there’s a bounty on your head and I’m up for collecting the cash at any cost.’
I drop my visor, rev up and go. She’s anticipated the move and is following with seconds to spare. As we get to the end of the cul-de-sac, the person’s disappeared. I U-turn and Kat goes right, stops and looks, deciding what her next move will be. Whatever I do now will work in my favour and that includes anti-surveillance.
I don’t expect her to know I won’t be outrunning her. She could prove to be a useful bargaining tool if it comes to a life for a life. I wait two minutes. No vehicle has come in or anyone on foot. It means nothing more. If I am being tailed by Winter she is keeping the team loose and on the outskirts of the surrounding streets.
Mike hasn’t arranged another attempt on me. He wants this job doing first but I know I’m next, despite his reassurances.
34
‘Where are the subjects now?’ Winter monitors communication via a radio at her desk.
‘Control, from Alpha Two. I have both subjects. They’re riding in single formation at distance. From the formation they can see each other. Keep all vehicles back whilst I maintain follow. Over.’
‘All Alpha teams from Winter, proceed as advised by Alpha Two. No mobile units to be in vicinity with the exception of Alpha Two. Winter out.’
Winter comes back into the main control room and surveys the camera feed from the crash helmet of Alpha Two as she addresses the controller.
‘I want all other mobile units making their way towards the M1 and the nearest tube or train station. Junction 2 of the M1, I want covered too. Where’s the nearest station?’
‘Stanmore.’
‘Get that covered. Batford could dump the bike and take public transport. Any mobile units are to get there taking a parallel route to the two subjects.’ Winter pauses and runs her hands through her hair. A two-day lay-off of shampoo is beginning to take effect. She rolls off a hair tie from her wrist and ties her hair back.
‘The surveillance teams know what they’re doing, ma’am. They’re experienced. We have to let them move with what they see and where they’re being taken.’
The Ops room controller looks up at the screen; lights on a large map move as the other mobile teams flank Batford and Kat. Winter turns to leave for her office.
‘Just make sure they stay back and give them room to run. If I hear a shout that a team’s been compromised as a result of not relaying on my instructions, I’ll have your arse.’
The controller says nothing and sips a lukewarm tea.
‘From Alpha Two, both subjects are turning left, left, left, towards Stanmore, over.’
‘Received by Control. Alpha Eleven and Twelve, loose containment of Stanmore Station. Put one footy out in case they disband bikes and get train.’
Winter hears the transmission and picks up the phone and dials an external number. Hudson answers.
‘They’re on the move towards your location. Are all armed tactical teams in place?’
‘Yes. All awaiting further instructions.’
‘Good. Control of your plot will move to the firearms team leader. Once she’s taken over, be prepared to move with the second team when I call. I’ve a good feeling about this one, a very good feeling.’
Hudson confirms the message. Winter sits back and rests her head on the chair. She swivels the seat round in a circuit of circles, working the chair clockwise and anti-clockwise. A knock on the door causes her to stop. The door opens and DI Cooper enters.
‘Car’s downstairs. We’re ready to go.’
Winter grabs her coat, puts the earpiece in her ear and puts the radio in her bag. She leaves the office closing the door behind her. She ducks her head as she enters the rear of the nondescript, blacked-out Mercedes. The two tones are activated and a set of blue lights flash from the front grill as the driver heads north out of the capital.
35
I keep Kat in view as we leave North London’s outermost suburbs and head towards the county line. The sun is out and the tinted visor does its job well, shielding me from view and maintaining my anonymity from outside eyes.
The chances of evasion become ever more remote as technology advances and the needs of national security increase. I’m a strong believer in intelligence-led policing unless it interferes with my aims. Traffic cameras, mobile cameras, ANPR cameras, dashboard cameras, mobile phone cameras, cash point cameras, the list is endless. Everywhere we go we are under observation whether we wish it or not.
