Chapter 12

John approached the front door. It was a big house, nicely done out. He knew there were armed SO 19 men on the roof, and all over it. He knew SO 6, and the Comm van were around the corner. It didn't make things any easier.

He rang the doorbell and waited. A man came to the door, an IC2. This was Escoverda, he knew it.

"Are you Michael Step?"

"Yes, may I help you?" Michael Step was a large Latino man, identical to the man in the photograph. It was Escoverda.

"I'm Detective Sergeant Boulton from Sun Hill. I've came to investigate a stolen vehicle that was recovered last night. It was registered in your name."

"None of my cars have been stolen." He went to shut the door.

"Just a moment please, Mr. Step, may I have a word with you?"

He rolled his eyes and sighed, "If you must. Come in."

"May I use your toilet, Mr. Step?"

"Bloody police. Yes, second door on left."

John heard the crash coming from the back of the house. He also felt a hand on his shoulder and something cold and hard on the back of his neck, at the base of his skull. "You're going to regret this, cop."

"FREEZE! Put the gun down. Put the gun down. You're surrounded. Put the gun down!"

Escoverda glanced around him and realised that there was a gun pointed directly at the back of him, and at the front of him. Armed men were pouring into his house. He cocked his pistol.

"Not before I take this pig with me."

A shot rang out. John fell to the ground, pushed over by the force of Escoverda falling on top of him, screaming and clutching his leg. The bullet was aimed at the base of Escoverda's foot, but it didn't go in. The gunpowder was enough to make him lose his balance without actually causing any physical damage.

A SO 19 officer grabbed Escoverda and handcuffed him. Another one spoke into the radio, "SO 6, go go go."

SO 6 busted into the house, and took custody of Escoverda.

"Pedro Escoverda you are under arrest for drug smuggling, and supplying within the United Kingdom. You do not have to say anything but it may harm your defence if you do not answer when questioned something that you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be used in evidence. Pending a hearing you will be extradited to the United States where you face charges of four counts of premeditated murder, drug smuggling and supplying.

John stood up, he was shaking. He walked outside to see Escoverda being restrained. June Gowan was looking at him, directly, in his eyes. She said something to him which made him struggle further against his restraints. When she turned away from him, her face was so distorted in anger and rage, John hardly knew her. She walked towards him, her features softening.

"Good work John, I'm proud of you. Congratulations. How are you?"

"Shaken, to say the least."

June put her arm around John. "Let's go get something to drink. I think we both deserve it."

Sir Stephen came up to John and shook his hand again. "Marvellous work, John. You are a credit to the Met. If you ever need anything, please let me know."

"Thank you Sir. It's been a pleasure."

"June, I'm going to take off, call me later for the debriefing. You've done well. You should be proud."

"Thank you Sir."

* * *

Sitting in the van, June prepared coffee for Paul, John and herself. She turned to Dave.

"You almost jeopardised this operation and put all of us at risk. Your attitude is terrible and you are exceedingly unprofessional and discourteous to everyone around you. If you didn't want to work in the UK you should have never agreed to come on this post."

"I am going to recommend that you be relieved of your duties here, pending immediately and see about having you sent to a field office. How does the Midwest sound? Now that the unibomber has been captured, the most you'll have to deal with are cow tippers and crop circles. Good luck to you Dave, you'll need it where you're going."

Dave looked at her, got out of the van and walked off.

"It could be worse. I could have him transferred to Presidential duties, i.e. screening the President's girlfriends and making sure they stay under wraps. There's always a vacancy for those guys," June laughed to herself. "Bill Clinton rivals Kennedy in amount of mistresses. However, I wouldn't wish that job on anyone, it's so degrading."

"Let's go back to the Wharf, Paul, so I can pick up my car. Good work today. Thank you."

"John, Jack Meadows is arranging Uniform to pick up Charles Spire, Ben Bryant, Tony Woods and Michael Blake. They will pass into SO6's hands. We will need to go to a debriefing tomorrow at the Yard. Otherwise, we're pretty much finished. Take the rest of the day off. I'll drop you back at Sun Hill."

John clutched his coffee, feeling himself return to semi-normality again. It was over. He was alive. No one was killed. It was a good result.

* * *

As they drove back to Sun Hill, June put on The Joshua Tree. She sang along, "Hey love, you're all that's left to hold on to, but I'm still waiting. I'm hanging on."

John didn't say anything, but looked out the window.

"John, would you like to go to dinner with me tonight? We need to talk. I'll cook."

"Ok June." He looked at her.

"Come over around 6:30."

"See you then."

John got out of the car and June drove off. He left his car at Sun Hill, and walked home. It had started to rain, misty cold drops on his skin, drenching his clothes and his hair. He put his head up and closed his eyes, letting the rain wash over his face. June Gowan, Pedro Escoverda, Thomas, Gene. what a story he helped bring to a close. The impact of all of it was sinking into his soul, slowly but surely. He wasn't sure, but he thought he knew what June said to Escoverda. He could see her lips moving in front of his eyes.

"For my mother, my father, Thomas, Gene and myself, and for everyone who has died by your hand, it ends now."