Chapter 33

The police sharpshooters took up position, forming an arc as they trained their sights on the front door and awaited further instruction.

The intel suggested there was at least one perpetrator still hiding in the building. The welfare of the female hostage remained vague and unclear. The traffic cop, Reid, claimed that he had forced his way in to the dwelling after hearing screams. Maybe he was still concussed. After the beating he’d taken that was to be expected. He probably wasn’t thinking straight, even so, elements of his story just didn’t add up.

His version of events failed to explain, as an off duty police officer, what exactly his reasons for being in the area at the time were. Then there was the issue of the speeding ticket issued to the homeowner. Kenwood rubbed at his brow, it was complicated, but that wasn’t his concern. He’d leave that to the realm of Internal Affairs. As Chief Firearms Officer, Kenwood’s role was to bring the siege to a quick and peaceful end, preventing any further loss of life.

He stepped down from the command trailer and reached for the loudhailer. ‘This is Inspector Kenwood of West Midlands Police Armed Response Unit.’

Chapter 34

Maria opened the front door and stumbled out into the blinding light, her own body shielding Garrett’s. She didn’t want to get shot, but dared not release her grip on the blood-stained scissors, not while Garrett remained a threat. ‘I’m coming out. I’m all right, I’m okay,’ she said.

The intel suggested that Maria Garrett was already deceased at the scene. That didn’t explain the unfolding scenario presenting itself to Kenwood and his firearms officers as the blood spattered IC1 female advanced towards the cordon, an IC1 male hidden behind her, his hand appearing to clutch at a blade held in her right fist.

Kenwood turned to his second in command, ‘get me Reid up here now, and hurry.’ Kenwood spoke to his team via the radio, ‘hold position, do not engage, repeat, do not engage.’

He raised the loudhailer to his mouth, ‘Drop the weapon, stand still, and place your hands on top of your head. Do it now.’

Ninety seconds later, Reid appeared at Inspector Kenwood’s side.

‘Can you confirm that’s her, Constable, is that Maria Garrett?’

Reid narrowed his eyes, his voice distant and disbelieving, ‘that’s her... Maria. She’s alive.’ He was moving forward, advancing towards the cordon tape. ‘Maria, Maria.’

‘Somebody grab him now before he gets her killed,’ Kenwood instructed.

Two officers swamped Reid, pulling him back despite his protests.

‘Get him out of here.’

Kenwood’s earpiece crackled into life, ‘Trojan 3 to Trojan 1: No clear shot, repeat, no clear shot.’

‘Hold position—do not engage unless there is a direct threat to life.’

‘Affirmative, Trojan 3, holding position.’

Kenwood spoke again. ‘Stop where you are, kneel on the floor with your hands on your head.’

Maria kept moving forward.

‘Stop now. I repeat stop where you are, now.’

Maria ignored the request. Her pace slowed, with the end in sight, she kept heading towards the cordon tape. She wasn’t giving up now.

‘Trojan 2 to Trojan 1 No clear shot—target hidden.’

‘Affirmative, hold your position, repeat, hold your position.’

There was no more than ten or twelve paces separating them, close enough for Maria to see their faces, her heartbeat quickened. Almost there. She began a tentative step forward, Garrett groaned as white-hot pain seared through his body. The agony sounding like a battle cry, audible over the still night air. Maria turned to him, stumbling as her ankle gave out. Garrett made a grab for her wrist as she fell forward, suspended, momentarily exposing his torso.

Three shots pierced the night sky.