Chapter 11

June's mobile rang just as she was pulling into Sun Hill at 8:30 AM. "We've found Spire's suppliers. He goes to Old Jubilee Dock and picks up a suitcase. Some other men do as well. A car has pulled up. An IC2 and an IC1 have gotten out.

"Tell me about the IC2." June said.

"He's well dressed, black hair, speaking Spanish."

"Follow him. Whatever you do, don't lose him. Call me as soon as you know his whereabouts."

June ran into the nick and upstairs to CID. She saw Jack Meadows in the hall, "Have you seen John Boulton?"

"Not here yet, June. Is everything OK?"

"No. Jack, there's been a change of plans. I need John Boulton now."

She ran into CID. Kerry, Rod and Don were at their desks. "When John Boulton comes in, tell him to call me. It's absolutely urgent. No time to lose. Cheers."

The three of them looked at each other and shrugged, then resumed their work. June ran out of the office and down the steps, punching up John's number on her mobile.

"This is John, you know what to do."

"John, it's June. Call me. It's important."

A blue Ford Focus pulled into Sun Hill. It was John. She ran over to it and opened his door.

"Change of plans, come with me now."

She grabbed him by the arm and almost yanked him out of the car.

"Steady on, June."

"No time to lose, get in John! Drive for me!" She tossed him the keys.

John started up the car. June was already punching numbers into her mobile. "Where are we going, June?"

"Old Jubilee Wharf."

She put the mobile to her ear, "Paul, it's me. We've found him. We're meeting at Old Jubilee Wharf. Now. Change of plans. Bring Dave."

She hung up. John looked at her, "Do you mind telling me what's going on?"

"Escoverda came in to meet a shipment of drugs at Old Jubilee Docks. We're not going to mess around. We've got evidence now, and don't need to put you at risk doing more undercover work. We're going to take him down, blazing guns-style, as we should have done before."

She called up her boss, "Guv, I need you to authorise SO6 and SO19's involvement. We've got him, and are going to take him unprepared. We're meeting at Old Jubilee Wharf within the hour, and then will proceed as a unit to Escoverda's location. We've got evidence - he arrived to greet the drugs shipment that just came in, and took some suitcases with him. Bring the warrant."

June received a call, "Yankee Tango 39 8 Juliet Echo, a black Lexus, registered to a Michael Step, cheers."

"We know what car he's in. Area's following it to his home." June said to John. We're gonna do this, John. We're gonna get him this time.

"June, I know. I know about your family. I know he tried to kill you. I know."

"John, shut up, I don't know what you're talking about and I don't have time do deal with that right now." June said angrily. "I don't know who told you that stuff but I don't want to talk about it, do you understand?"

John nodded in ascent and was quiet.

"We're here, anyway."

June and John got out of the car. Paul was already there, with another guy. John assumed it was Dave. The SO 19 ARV was arriving as well.

"Right everyone, we'll wait until Red and Grey units, SO6, and Sir Steven Croft, Deputy Assistant Commissioner arrive before the briefing. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Croft is formally in charge, however I am issuing orders. He is here to take charge if anything goes wrong."

Red and Grey followed each other in. A black Vauxhall Omega pulled up shortly afterwards.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Croft, you know Paul and Dave. This is DS John Boulton, Sun Hill.

"It's nice to meet you. June says you're doing sterling work." He shook John's hand.

"It's an honour to meet you, Sir." John smiled. "I'm just doing my best."

"When this is all over, I will make sure your performance is noted, and a reference will go in your file."

"Thank you very much, Sir." John was astounded. "I don't know what to say."

"From what June says, you've earned it."

A large police van pulled up alongside them. SO6 International Assistance Unit.

"Right everyone gather around," June said. "Formal briefing to commence. Target is one Pedro Escoverda, otherwise known as Ajax Handen and possibly Michael Step. We are going to take him at his home. Red, I want your team around the back and sides. Grey I want you towards the front. I want both teams hidden until I give the command. Once I give the order, gain entry using whatever means possible.

"SO6 once Red and Grey have neutralised the position, I want you to go in and bring Escoverda out. From then on, he's your prisoner. From there SO6, you can move in and take over the investigation, including the searches.

"John, you will go in first. You will knock on the door and ask to speak to Michael Step. The reason you need to see him is because a car registered to him has been stolen. You should see an IC2, Latin accent. If not, keep an eye out for an IC2. You've seen the photograph. When he has been identified as being within the house, I want you to ask to use the toilet. That will be our signal to go in. You will lock yourself in the toilet and not come out until the all clear. You will be armed in case of emergency. Also you will be wearing Kevlar and, of course, a wire.

"Are there any questions?"

No one had any questions.

"Right, we're waiting from a call from Area who's doing the obbo. As soon as he's at home they will call and we will proceed. We sit tight until then."

"John, get your gear on in the van. Dave will kit you out."

June went to speak with Sir Steven. SO 6 and SO 19 got back into their vehicles. John got into the van with Paul and Dave. He was beginning to get extremely nervous. He had to go in first, he was at risk. At least he was going to be well covered.

"How's your gut holding up?" Dave was an American. He strapped the wire to John and covered him with Kevlar.

"Not too well."

"You oughta be scared shitless. Escoverda is one nasty dude. I was there at June's last run in with him."

"Dave, cut it out, mate." Paul gave Dave an annoyed look.

"I'm just joshing with you man. Seriously, you'll be alright."

John thought back to what June said about other Americans, and, now more than ever, it dawned on him about what she meant.

"Say something in the wire."

"Septic tanks are wankers," John said, sarcastically.

Paul burst out laughing but tried to control himself. "Loud and clear, John."

Dave said, "Yeah whatever, I'm going to get a sandwich," obviously not understanding the rhyming slang, and he slunk out of the van.

"Listen, John, don't let Dave get to you. He's a Fed, like June, only he's not as. what's the word. worldly. He's good though, and was a member of June's US team, which is why she has him in on her major operations. Just ignore him. I usually do."

June climbed in the van. "How's it going. Where's Dave?"

"Dave went for a sandwich," said Paul.

"That total complete git, how dare he go for a sandwich when he bloody well knows we're on alert. That does it, he's sacked, I don't need this. This is his last mission."

"I don't like him much, June," said John.

"Nobody does," she sighed, "but he's good, when he can be bothered to do his job."

She sat down and poured herself some tea from the kettle.

"How are you holding up, John?"

"As good as can be expected, given that I'm going to be target fodder."

"No you're bloody not. You're going to be safe and come out of this, do you understand?" June was noticeably stressed and titchy.

Her mobile rang, "Yes. Ok right, we're moving in, ETA 11:00."

She picked up her radio. "All units, 1291 West Crompton Drive. Move in. Proceed in this order. Comm unit, Red, Grey, ARV, SO6 van. We move now."

Just then the door opened up and Dave got back in, "Did I miss anything?"

"Yes, we are leaving now, and were going to go without you. Anticipate a reprimand when this is finished." June said angrily.

June reached over and squeezed John's hand. He could only imagine what must be going through her head right now.

"Aw, June, don't break your bra straps over it," Dave said.

June slapped him, hard, so his nose would bleed. "That's Special Agent Gowan to you, and I've had enough of your shit. How dare you make such a rude and sexist comment to me? Shut up and don't speak unless it's pertinent to the job. That's an order. And throw that sandwich out, no eating on the job."

The passengers in the van were silent for the rest of the journey. John thought he heard June whispering to herself, and he listened closer. She was praying.