I'm going away tomorrow, so I'm posting the last three chapters all together. For those of you who haven't read this before, I'm sorry for the end of this chapter!
She's the One
Chapter 11
Kerry's feet broke the surface of the sand on the edge of the Thames. She checked her watch by the light of a dimming street light; five minutes to midnight. The smell of the river was putrid, as if corpses were rotting away on the river bed below.
She held her head high, gazing at the block of warehouses ahead of her. The shadows were eerie and rather disturbing. The gentle waters of the river were pushing slowly against the shore. Kerry felt uncomfortable and cold. She tightened the scarf around her neck and pulled on a pair of leather gloves. Just when she felt so alone, a voice spoke up in her ear.
"Kerry, are you ready? If so, bend and touch the ground." It was DI Manson. Even he wasn't the most comforting person she'd like to hear on the other end, his voice had a purpose. 'Maybe that's what Andrea sees in him,' Kerry thought dully. She stared at her feet, bent down and brushed her hand along the sand. She didn't dare speak back in case someone was there watching her, besides half of Sun Hill.
"Okay Kerry, we can see you," Neil continued, "We're here; ready to help when you need us."
"Thanks," Kerry whispered softly.
"Don't mention it," said Neil with a dry smile, though Kerry couldn't see.
Kerry smiled wryly with gratitude. They were here to help her get Smithy back, and she hoped SO19 wouldn't be needed.
Just ahead, Kerry glimpsed a figure slipping into the shadows. She made sure her wire was securely in place under her groin before treading further forwards. Suddenly, she couldn't see anything, the only light she had had disappeared behind a warehouse. A tiny source of light flickered up about one hundred metres away. It looked like a cigarette lighter. Whoever held it was walking slowly and silently towards her. Her shadow appeared once more.
"Kerry," the figure drawled, "so glad you could make it." He brought the lighter in front of his face as he reached Kerry. The tiny flicker of fire illuminated the twisted face of Gabriel Kent. He threw the lighter onto the ground, where it fell into a pool of discarded petrol. It burst into flame, giving them more light.
"It's easier when I can see you, so you don't try to run off," snarled Gabriel, reaching for Kerry's hand. Once she felt his grimy skin touch hers she wrenched her arm from his grasp.
"Leave me alone, you creep!" she spat with disgust. She stared into Gabriel's cold eyes and saw no sigh of remorse. "Just tell me where to find Smithy and I'll be on my way."
Gabriel let out a cruel laugh.
"I'm afraid I can't do that just yet," he sneered, "not until I can be sure you're not going to give me away. You're not wearing a wire are you? And you are alone?"
"Of course I am, you idiot," she scoffed, not knowing whether he'd believe her, "do you think I'm stupid enough not to be?"
"Well, you said it, not me," Gabriel said with pure malice. "Right, in order for me to tell you where darling Smithy is, you need to assure me that you won't mention to anyone any of the following:
"My false identity; I do not need for you to spill the beans about David. Secondly, the thing that happened between us – what do people call it – oh yes, rape, doesn't need to come from your lips ever again."
"Anything else?" Kerry felt safer knowing that Gabriel was spilling all his secrets to his unsuspecting colleagues.
"Actually, yes! I remember you saying that you loved Smithy, about three days ago." Gabriel paused for the words to take effect. "Just outside the station, I believe you two had a tender moment, and they sniper wrecked it. What a shame!"
Kerry pieced two and two together. It was Gabriel who had shot her!
"So since I've virtually confessed to your shooting, you'll have to keep quiet, or I will dispose of Smithy. Trust me one this one, Kerry; you don't want to go betraying me."
Kerry was confused. She knew it may have come down to this, but she wasn't fully prepared. What should she do? From not far away, Adam analysed the situation. He spoke almost silently into the microphone.
"Kerry," he said softly, "we have it all on tape. You can say to Gabriel that you accept, and we'll put you and Smithy under Witness Protection until he's behind bars." Kerry understood.
"Okay, I accept." She decided to put on some tears. Kerry let tiny droplets of water fall freely from her eyes. "Now tell me where Smithy is; I don't want to loose him."
"I'm afraid I can't do that, Kerry," he said slowly, letting the tension build, "I don't know that you're telling me the truth, so you're coming with me, WITHOUT a fuss, or Smithy will die." He grabbed both of Kerry's arms and brought out a pair of handcuffs. Her hands were cuffed together behind her back. He began dragging her away.
"All units GO!" screamed DCI Meadows into his radio. Around eight police cars came zooming from different locations. They got out, and SO19 officers held up their guns, ready to shoot.
"Gabriel Kent release Kerry and get down on the ground with your hands behind your head!" yelled Sergeant Rollins. Gabriel looked shell-shocked.
"You know," he bellowed, "I'm going to have to respectfully decline your offer!" he threw Kerry on the ground and pulled out what looked like a detonator. He grinned maliciously, before slamming down on a button.
The warehouse nearest to them let off a huge heart-stopping boom, and the building went up in flames. Shards of metal and wood flew out smashing into the other warehouses. Kerry felt her heart begin to thud quickly in her chest. He was in there, she knew it. Her eyes widened as she witnessed the warehouse going up in smoke – it was a bomb. She made a run to go inside, but two pairs of strong arms held her back.
"Damn it, Terry, Phil! Let me go!" she wailed.
"We can't," Phil said simply as he watched her helplessness. Suddenly, the building began to collapse; the wooden beams were falling.
"No!" she screeched into the night. "SMITHY!" Her screams lingered as Adam reached for his radio to call the fire department.