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Chapter 11

The last thing Dempsey and Makepeace saw were sixty barrels of toxic chemicals avalanche on top of them, the world turned black and the yard fell into deathly silence.

Lance and Bill stood stunned and muted with their mouths gaping at the barrel mountain. The world had ceased to turn, no sound could be heard and a thick gun smoke haze hung in the air like a cloak.

The silent stillness was broken by the wail of a siren, the pause button had been re-hit and the video tape like scene was jerked back into life.

Bill yelled "Its fuzz, we got to get out of here!"

Lance was a little slower to react; it took Bill urgently grabbing hold of his arm before his feet moved. Then they were running for the transit van. The single siren wail rapidly turned into a chorus as police vehicles screeched their way to the scene from all directions.

The gang had nowhere to run as several SI10 officers jumped out of cars and trained their weapons at the men. They froze raising their hands in the air in surrender. As Bill was being cuffed, he glimpsed a formidable figure come striding towards him through the fog. Spikings wore a deep scowl of determination; he was in no mood to play games. "Where are they?" he barked at Bill.

"Where's who?" he replied airily.

"Dempsey and Makepeace."

A small smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth irking Spikings "Oh, those two..." Bill turned his head in the direction of the barrels...Spikings followed his gaze. "Don't think they're much used to you now copper."

As the situation dawned on Spikings, his face became a picture of horror and a sickening feeling travelled through his body with a shudder. "You've got to be joking?" he muttered quietly.

He turned to Bill again and asked in an authoritive tone "What is in those barrels?"

Bill shrugged "Gawd knows, it's just a cocktail of industrial waste...I dint pass my chemistry 'O' level."

The cogs in Spiking's mind whirred as he quickly thought through the best course of action. "CHAS! FIRE BRIGADE...NOW!" he bellowed. Chas obeyed and swiftly got onto the radio "We need lifting equipment and the whole site needs to be sealed off...pronto!

"On their way Guv." Chas called back.

Spikings left Bill with one of his men and wandered over to the barrel mountain. He stood surveying the mess brushing his hair back to front with his hand "Bloody hell...what a mess, what a bloody mess." He never envisaged that Bill's mystery delivery would be anything like on this scale. The Guv shuddered again as the thought of his two best officers buried at the bottom of the heap churned his stomach. Even if they survived the fall of the jagged metal, the unknown nature of the chemicals left them vulnerable and their lives hung precariously in the balance. Spikings knew it was now a race against time.

"Guv?" Chas broke Spikings's reverie "The fire Chief has just arrived, shall I send him over?"

"Tell him to get his arse over here as soon as.." he turned to his right hand man and added in a desperate tone "...They don't have much time."

Chas swallowed hard, he was trying not think about his friends lying injured..or worse dead. He scuttled off of find the chief.

"Superintendant? I hear we have a potentially volatile situation." The fire chief shook Spikings's hand firmly and professionally.

"Chemicals." stated Spikings flatly.

"Do we know what?"

"Cocktail apparently, I was hoping you would have some insight."

The fire officer shook his head "Could be anything, there seems to be a lot of this going on lately. Companies don't want to pay for correct disposal, so they just dump it wherever they can."

"At the moment it is dumped on top of my detectives. Have you brought your lifting equipment?"

The fireman shook his head again. "We can't issue equipment in situations like these...cut backs you see, it costs money to deploy equipment. In any case we can't do anything until the area has been sealed off, the local residents have been evacuated and the health and safety officer has done his risk assessment."

Spikings shot the officer a hard glare "You telling me you won't deploy your men and equipment until some berk in a suit with a tick box sheet says so?"

"That's the size of it..." Spikings stared at the man aghast as he continued to speak "Health and safety."

"Bugger health and safety.." Spikings barked "Look here, I have two officers in danger.."

The fire officer cut him off "Sir, I don't think you understand, my duty of care is to the general public... not your officers, we cannot risk an explosion in a residential area."

Spikings's eyes shone with burning anger, he growled "Oh I understand alright, bloody Whitehall pen-pushers wasting money on useless dic-tats and fancy forms when they should be funding more people on the ground. My officers risk their lives on a daily basis to keep the public safe, and what do they get in return...bugger all...they're expendable...no-one high and mighty gives a shit about them." Spikings moved menacingly closer to the fire chief "If Dempsey and Makepeace don't make it out alive...rest assured I will create merry hell...you haven't seen anything yet."

The fire chief was left in no doubt that the gruff head of SI10 meant single every word.

As the third fire engine whizzed past Gene and Alex in the car they both swivelled their heads to look "What the bloody 'ell?" exclaimed Gene. They were on their way home via the station when they noticed a number of Police cars and emergency vehicles streak past, sirens blazing, in a tearing hurry.

"Got to be something big." replied Alex "a bomb perhaps?"

The radio crackled into life "Calling all units, calling all units! Incident at Jimmy's cars Jessop lane, all units in the vicinity to attend...this is a code 11, I repeat a code 11!"

Gene and Alex stared at each other "Code 11?"

Code 11 was the emergency call sign for police units requesting back up from others. It meant only one thing, there was an incident on a massive scale where a single police unit couldn't cope and was in danger.

"Someone's up shit street. " muttered Gene as he hand-braked turned his new Quattro in the middle of the road to join the convoy.

"Hah, welcome home Gene and Alex...welcome home." Alex sighed.

As they tried to get close to Jessop lane they were greeted by hoards of uniformed police who had taped off the area. One of the officers waved Gene down, he wound down the window and the Guv flashed his warrant card "CID" he barked. "What's happening?"

"Dunno Sir, there was a shoot out...that's bout all I know."

Alex leaned forward "Who actioned the code 11?"

"SI10 Ma'am."

A worried look passed between Gene and Alex, SI10 very rarely, if ever, requested code 11 back up preferring to keep their cases in house. One thing they knew for certain, if it involved SI10, Dempsey and Harry would be at the centre of it, how close they were Gene and Alex were soon to find out.

Gene screeched the car to a halt and leapt out, Alex quickly following. The car lot was in chaos, police officers and fire officers milled around as evidence was collected and areas were sealed off awaiting closer inspection. If there had been a shoot out, it had long since ended and another drama had taken its place. Gene and Alex instantly felt the panic in the air, the normally cool, calm and collected SI10 officers looked like headless chickens, not really knowing what to do with themselves.

"Gene," Alex whispered drawing his attention to ambulance crews wheeling out two bodies trussed up in body bags.

"It won't be them." He tried to reassure her, he could read her thoughts because he was having the same ones, he hoped to God the bodies weren't their friends.

"Harry's car is here..." she stressed

"I know, I know...there's Spikings, we'll ask him...I'm sure they're fine.

Spikings clocked Gene "Hunt! Thank God!"

"Sir, " Gene greeted him "What's occurring then?"

Spikings filled Gene and Alex in on the whole episode and then he came to the hard bit. "They're under that lot." He waved a paw in the direction of the barrels "And the bloody fire brigade won't do a bloody thing until they have clearance."

Alex was distressed, she couldn't begin to image what had happened to Harry and Dempsey under the mountain "Why on earth not?...they...they could be suffocating in there." She stammered.

"Health and safety. " spat Spikings "Apparently the public come first."

"Bugger health safety!" exclaimed Gene in annoyance "Useless tossers."

"Gene, we can't let them just..." Alex couldn't finish her sentence, she looked at Gene imploringly "We've got to do something."

"Right!" Gene clapped his hands together in decision "If the ruddy fire service won't get them out then we will, Sir?" he looked to Spikings for approval.

Spikings considered for a moment, he didn't like throwing the rule book out, but this was a life and death situation. "Call your team, Hunt... many hands make light work."

"So, how are we getting along with this inquest...who's my wife screwing?"

Robert Makepeace was ever blunt and to the point with Thomas. He wanted results and quickly. He sat lounged back in his leather chair playing with a metal puzzle.

Thomas replied just as bluntly. He found his boss's choice of words distasteful. "She doesn't have a boyfriend according to her friends and there's nothing in the society columns."

"So she has a mystery man...very intriguing." He stroked his chin as he spoke " You must have some idea...come on Thomas make an educated guess."

Thomas was finding Robert's relentless questions uncomfortable. Yes, he had listened to all the tapes and was convinced that Dempsey was Harry's love interest, but whether they were having a proper relationship was still open for debate...not that Thomas wanted to have that particular debate with Robert. He didn't see how opening up a potential can of worms would benefit anyone and it was unprofessional. Dragging someone's personal life into the spotlight was what tabloid newspapers did, not top notch lawyers.

"I'm waiting." Robert fixed Thomas with an expectant glare.

Thomas chose his words carefully. "There is a hint...but only a hint."

"Go on, which dirty dog has had his mits on her?"

"As I say.." Thomas grounded "There is only a hint of a relationship and not for definite, but she is close to her partner Dempsey...that's all I could find."

"HA!" Robert laughed triumphantly "Well I never, she has sunk into the gutter with that thuggish Yank. I never knew she liked it rough and ready."

"Sir it is merely a suggestion." Thomas warned.

"Priceless!" he exclaimed completely ignoring Thomas's comments, " This will bury her career had her social standing forever...she's finished...ha, what a trollop."

Thomas gawped at his boss in gobsmacked surprise, this was a vendetta. He knew Robert could be callous, he'd seen many a witness in the box reduced to quivering wrecks and he had certainly ruined quite a few careers along the way, but to do this to his wife whose only crimes had to been to dump him because of his infidelity and fall in love with an American...it was sick. Thomas felt his blood boil; the more he learnt about Robert Makepeace the less he liked him.

"Robert! We don't have any evidence of them being a couple...and as far as I am aware it is not a crime for police officers to be one."

Robert cocked his head and studied his protégé with wry amusement, "Oh Thomas," the patronising tone rang out "You really have a great deal to learn. You go out and find me evidence asap."

"and what happens if I don't?" challenged the younger man.

"You might be joining the dole queue...just remember who got you this position... I could so easily arrange for someone to take your place."

Thomas felt his fingers curl into a ball, he had been a loyal, hardworking servant of Robert, he didn't deserve to be spoken to like this.

"Off you go then!" Robert dismissed.

Thomas scowled and headed for the door.

"Oh and just a word warning..." Robert called after him.

Thomas stopped just as his hand touched the door knob and turned to face his boss.

"Pipa will be joining us soon; George is going to give her the filing to do...keep her occupied. She is not to learn anything of this inquest...do you hear me? If I find out a dicky bird has filled her in on the details...well, God help them."

Thomas didn't reply, he had had enough threats for one day. He flung open the door and marched out seething with anger.

"Chief Superintendant!" The fire chief hurried to catch up with Spikings, "You can't do this without written authority!" he blustered.

"Watch me!" the Guv challenged.

"This is madness, you're putting officers from two divisions at risk, not to mention the public!" he squeaked.

"These officers aren't scared of a few barrels of gunk, they're scared of losing their colleagues...we stand together." Spikings was defiant "You've evacuated the residents, set up road blocks...now it's down to me and Hunt. I suggest you stay out of our way."

The fire officer bridled, he wasn't used to being bossed around by hard-nosed Policeman and as he caught a glimpse of Gene briefing his team, he added the DCI to that list also. He couldn't win; he had been well and truly ganged up against. "I won't be held responsible for this insanity."

"Get out of my way," Spikings all but shouldered the stunned Fireman aside.

"Well, at least wait for some protective clothing to arrive..." he called after him.

"No time!" he gruffed back with a 'let it be' wave of an arm, stomping off towards his detectives.

Gene stood before his team "We are going to form a chain with Spikings's men, I need two volunteers to be at the front at the sharp end.."

"I'll do it." offered Leroy without question.

"An' me Guv." Ray raised his hand.

"Good men, Alex, Shaz you two will be at the end of the line so you can roll the barrels to safety, Chris you help in the middle with the SI10 lot..got it?"

"Yes Guv!" they all chorused apart from Alex.

"Mush!" Gene gave the order with a single hand swoop. Ray, Chris , Shaz and Leroy sprang into action joining their fellow SI10 colleagues. They wasted no time organising themselves into a chain with Spikings's men...the clock was ticking.

Alex hung back in indecision. She was desperate to help, but she was being held back by a nagging thought.

"Bolls?" Gene questioned his dithering DI as she shuffled from on foot to the other. "Come on Bolls, we can't 'ang about, get stuck in. What's up with yer?"

"I...I...er.." she stammered unsure how to put into words what she was feeling.

"Scared of getting your hands dirty or breaking a nail are we?" Gene was finding her hesitance both puzzling and irritating.

"No, it's not that...it's...I can't." She tried to explain.

"Eh? What do yer mean you can't...get a shifty on. That's an order." Alex could sense the anger building in his voice, "Don't you want to 'elp rescue your friend?"

"Gene, please..." she pleaded with a wobble in her voice "I can't go near those chemicals, let alone lift anything heavy."

Gene couldn't understand "Alex!" he growled a warning "Get your pert little arse over there and help your teammates, you keep on telling me how women can do just same as men...Shaz isn't complaining so you'd better having a bloody good reason..."

Alex recognised the signs of a volcano starting to bubble under Gene's facade.

She lowered her voice so only he could hear her as she came clean "I'm pregnant." She braced herself, Gene looked like he had just been punched in the stomach then the volcano erupted.

"YOUR WHAT?!

"I was going to tell you..."

"When were you going to tell me...eh? When you looked like an over-stuffed mattress?"

"Gene...please, I was going to tell you tonight when we got home and were snuggled up on the sofa...just you and me..." she implored, searching for any hint of joy in his icy blue eyes.

"You picked a fine time Alex.." he growled, his anger still rising.

She stammered "I...I'm sorry, I had no choice.."

"Go wait in the car." He dismissed her.

"I will not..."

He cut her off brusquely "You're no bloody good to me stood there woman are ye?"

"I want to help, but I ..."

"Well, go brew the tea then...surely you can lift the kettle, not too hard is it?" he sneered sarcastically "...and don't forget the biccies." With that he marched off to join the others leaving Alex feeling dejected and utterly useless.

She felt the tears threaten, but she sniffed them back determined she wasn't going to make a fool of herself. She hadn't wanted to tell him like this, but she had been left with no choice, there was no way she could help with the barrels..it was far too risky. Maybe she should have told him when she found out herself on Jersey, but she wasn't sure how Gene would react, they had only been married five minutes after all. Now it had been revealed in the worst possible moment. 'Pull yourself together Alex' she told herself wiping away a tear with her sleeve 'He'll calm down once he's had a chance to think about it.' She tried to convince herself.

As she slunk off in the direction of the car showroom she watched her colleagues desperately trying to shift the barrels as quickly and as gently as possible. Ray and Leroy on the front line balanced precariously on top of the mountain, shirt sleeves rolled up, working together manoeuvring drum after drum from the pile and handing them down to Gene and Chas. The task was painstakingly slow, one false move and there could be more injured.

Alex feared for her baby's father, her colleagues and her friends, if the chemicals were volatile she could lose all of them in one go...

The fireman watched on from a safe distance as had been ordered, frustration rippled amongst the ranks as they powerless to help. The police officers, to their minds, were crazy for tackling such a dangerous situation without any safety equipment, but if it been one of theirs buried, they had to admit, they would be tempted to do the same. They may be crazy, but their bravery had earned the respect of the other emergency services.

I think you all guessed that one...very obvious lol.

Just a note about health and safety before anyone picks it out. The 80s saw the start of the health & safety madness although ordinary people didn't notice it, it was creeping it's way into the likes of Police and Fire service. When questioned by my mum, I googled it and found that in 1984 a EU directive came in which covered the storage, disposal, labelling and handling of dangerous substances! How about that then? lolol D&M have just become victims of one of the first EU directives.