When Masters squeezed the trigger, unbelievably, nothing happened. The gun mechanism jammed. Masters swore and hit the gun against the nearest pillar. Then the gun fired, not once but twice sending bullets randomly ricocheting around the loft. Phil and Nick hit the floor at this point keeping their heads down as the bullets embedded themselves in the door behind them.
With a scream of frustration Masters tried to reload the weapon but Nick and Phil moved quickly knowing they were fighting for their lives. Desperately Nick lunged forward grabbing Masters' legs and pulling them from under him. As Masters hit the floor Phil attempted to get the gun from him.
But Masters was a big lad and Army trained. He lashed out with a heavily booted foot catching Nick in the face and knocking him flying. He then jabbed the rifle into Phil's ribs leaving Phil doubled up in agony.
Nick staggered to his feet ignoring the blood dripping from a split lip but as he swayed unsteadily Masters brought the gun barrel down with obvious intent. Nick brought his hand up to protect his face and his left hand took the full impact. There was a sickening crack.
Nick doubled over, clutching his broken left hand as Phil Bellamy seized the advantage. From behind Masters, clutching his ribs, he staggered to his feet, and brought his truncheon down hard across Masters head. The man went down dazed and Phil hit him again just to make sure.
"Cuffs Phil," Nick gasped from where he was now sitting leaning against the wall cradling his hand.
Phil got cuffs on the unconcious Masters and picked up the gun. As he looked out through the opening in the wall which formed a window, he saw more police cars pulling up on the road and the welcome sight of Sergeant Blaketon running towards the barn. Wearily Phil chucked the gun through the opening calling through to Blaketon, "Up here Sarge, its clear," then slid back down the wall sitting next to Nick. They stared at each other barely able to believe they were still alive.
Dazedly Blaketon raced up the steps and into the loft. He stood, taking in the scene. Masters, handcuffed and unconcious. PCs Rowan and Bellamy sitting slumped against the wall. Nick Rowan had blood dripping from a split lip and was nursing an obviously broken hand. Phil Bellamy was holding himself gingerly having clearly sustained some kind of injury to his ribs.
"I - I heard two shots," Blaketon whispered.
"He aimed the gun at us , he fired," Nick said flatly. "For whatever reason it didn't go off. It jammed. Masters hit it against a pillar and it went off then, all right. Twice. Those were the shots you heard."
"And then?"
"We managed to get the gun off him Sarge," Nick replied, "before he could reload."
Shaking his head Blaketon moved forward as Masters began to stir with a groan. Oscar Blaketon ignored him and crouched down in front of his two constables, his only priority at the minute. He knew he would never ever forget that sickening moment of hearing the two shots from the barn and being so certain his lads had paid the ultimate price.
"How bad is it?" he asked Nick indicating his hand. "Definitely broken is it?"
"Yeah. Think so. He tried to hit me over the head with the gun barrel and I put my hand up and it took the brunt of it." The pain together with the resultant shock was making Nick shivery and Blaketon spotted it.
"All right lad, you're just a bit dithery and its no wonder." He took a clean handkerchief out of his pocket. "Put that to your lip there, and it'll stop some of that blood. Here, look." Blaketon slipped Nick's tie off and made a makeshift sling out of it. "You just rest your hand in there all right?" The Sergeant flinched when he saw Nick's hand. It was cut and swelling rapidly.
"Its fine Sarge," Nick said. "Its a broken hand. It'll mend."
Blaketon put a hand on Nick's shoulder then turned to Phil.
"What about you Bellamy?" asked Blaketon. "You're hurt and all aren't you?"
"Just my ribs Sarge," Phil admitted. "Bit sore."
They looked round as a figure appeared in the doorway. It was one of the Divisional Inspectors, Inspector Charles. He was followed by various other uniformed officers.
"Get him out of here," Charles told the uniforms nodding at Masters.
They scooped up Masters who was fast coming round and hauled him out.
"How are you two doing?" Charles asked Nick and Phil.
"Okay sir," Nick said through gritted teeth.
"We'll get you some medical attention. You, PC Rowan, need a hospital I think."
"Sir," Blaketon said, "I need to speak to you."
Phil and Nick looked up as their two senior officers stepped to one side.
"I thought I'd lost them," Blaketon was saying to Charles keeping his voice down. "I heard two shots as I got out of the car. Masters had them at gunpoint and squeezed the trigger. By some miracle the firing mechanism jammed. The gun only went off - twice - when he hit it against a pillar in frustration. That gave these two chance to try and overcome him. Its attempted murder, sir.
Charles swallowed. "I'm so sorry Sergeant. This shoudl never havehappened."
"Too bloody right - Sir!" Blaketon fought back his anger. "I sent those lads in here, sir. We were told Masters has been caught. I would never have sent them in here if I'd not been given that information.!
"All right I know,"Charles said. "There will be a full investigation I promise."
"Investigation?" Blaketon took a deep breath. "Sir, with respect we were nearly holding two funerals because of what happened today!" He stopped, barely trusting himself to speak.
"I know Sergeant," snapped Charles. "And trust me I hold myself personally responsible for what's happened today. But you let me take care of that and you in the meantime look after your lads. They both look in need of it to me."
It is not easy telling someone who is seven months pregnant that their husband has been involved in a life threatening incident. James Radcliffe found himself volunteering for the task. Initially Sergeant Blaketon was going to go and speak to Kate himself but asked Dr Radcliffe to accompany him as he was concerned how Kate would bear up. Somehow James found himself volunteering to go to the Police House alone and thereafter bringing Kate over to the hospital at Ashfordly.
Kate was surprised when she answered the door and found James on the step. "James, come in," she said. "I wasn't expecting to see you today."
"Kate," he said. "I need you to be very calm for me all right. And I want you to focus on this. Nick is all right."
She sat down slowly. "James, what do you mean? What's happened?"
He sat quietly by her and took her hands in his. "Kate, Nick and Phil Bellamy went to do some surveillance on the barn - the one where Nick was told someone might be living rough."
She nodded.
"Well as they were up there, keeping an eye on the place from a distance, a call came from Division to say John Masters had been apprehended in Whitby. So Sergeant Blaketon told Nick and Phil they could go down to the barn and have a look around. As they set off another call came from Division to say they'd got it wrong. The chap they had was wearing Masters' coat - but it wasn't Masters. And because Nick and Phil had left the car, Sergeant Blaketon couldn't radio them to stop them going down to the barn."
"Masters was in there wasn't he?"
"Yes."
"But you said Nick was all right?" Kate stared wild eyed at James. "Then its Phil, isn't it? Oh God-"
"Kate, he's okay too. They managed to arrest Masters."
"How?"
"This is where you need to be really strong Kate. Masters was in the loft area of the barn and when they went up there, Masters went to fire the gun. It jammed Kate. It didn't go off - well, it did when Masters hit it against a pillar, it fired twice, but it missed Nick and Phil." James paused. "Whilst Masters was distracted sorting the gun out they managed to close in and arrest him after a pretty violent struggle by all accounts."
"Violent?"
"They didn't exactly come away unscathed. Phil has got, probably, a broken rib. Nick was kicked in the face and Sergeant Blaketon said its almost certain his hand is broken."
"Theyre lucky to be alive, " Kate whispered.
James nodded. "But they are alive Kate. Honestly. They wil be fine."
She stared at him. "Will you take me to the hospital James? Please."
"Of course I will." Gently he helped her up but as she stood she suddenly said, "I feel a bit-"
"All right, sit down again, there you go. I'll get you some water."
"I'm sorry. Its just a shock you know?"
"Of course it is. But honestly Kate I wouldn't say Nick's fine if he's not. All right he's hurt but its nothing that won't heal."
"I know, I believe you." She swallowed. "But I've come that close to losing him today haven't I?" Kate took a breath. "I need to see him, to see for myself he really is all right."