Series 5 Episode 'Straw Dog'
Gunpoint
The moment I realised Charles Hoyle was the person responsible, time was of the essence. I knew Grace had gone to visit Charles so getting hold of her was priority. She was in danger, she just didn't know it.
"Call SO19, tell them to hold off until we're there." I shouted at Spence.
The three of us jump into my car, I reved up the engine and before long we are hurtling down the road. Stella was trying to get hold of Grace.
"Any luck at contacting Grace?" I said as I manoeuvred in and out of traffic, sirens blaring and lights flashing.
"No, it keeps going to voicemail." Stella replied from the back.
"Well, keep trying." I told her.
We screeched up to the house, SO19 already there. Stella and Spence already geared up, guns at the ready. Charles had picked up the phone after Stella tried to ring Grace again. I grabbed the phone from her.
"Dr. Hoyle, can I speak to Grace."
"I'm armed, so don't coming running in here like the calvary" His answered informed me Grace had discovered his part in the kidnapping.
"Tell me what you want." I demanded, fear rising.
"Come and find out." He challenged me.
A part of me knew I shouldn't rise to the challenge, however, I couldn't do nothing. He had a gun and he had Grace. SO19 was ready but, I didn't want them charging in. Who knows what might happen if they did. I had to see for myself if Grace was alright and still alive. As SIO, I made the call to go inside the house, unarmed and unprotected. I know it was a stupid thing to do. God knows Grace would shout at me for being rash. At least she'd be alive. Spence and Stella both expressed their concerns too, each saying they should come with me. I insisted they did no such thing, instead they agreed to stay outside to cover me.
I quietly walked up to the front door that was wide open. Charles had suspected I would accept his challenge. I stepped into the hallway and I froze. Only for a small second. Charles had the gun pointed right at the door. I knew Grace was in there.
"Charles?" I called out.
Charles heard my voice and turned around, gun still pointing inside the room. "I have them, I have them point blank." He told me. "I want you to watch."
He wanted an audience and he'd got one. I was the audience. I cautiously stepped further into the front room. "Here I am."
His words echoed in my brain. "I want you to watch." He expected me to watch him pull the trigger. An action that would cause harm to someone he cared about. I attempted to move further inside, but Charles heard my footsteps. He suddenly turned around, one finger pointed towards me while his other hand was on the gun.
"Stop! Stop walking. Don't move, stay where you are." He demanded before turning back and placing his finger back on the trigger.
I agreed to stay where I was. I stood calm and continued to converse with Charles.
"Are Grace and Kevin still alive?" I asked, hoping it was true.
"Yes." Charles said.
"Grace!" I shouted not believing Charle's response.
"Boyd!" Hearing her voice, a cry edged with fear in it, I felt somewhat relieved that she was okay.
It was short lived when Charles added, "but that could all change."
I needed to find a way to de-escalate the situation. I needed to ensure Grace's safety and to make sure Charles put down his gun.
"Alright, then." I began to negotiate. "Let's talk about what you want, Charles."
Charles chuckled. He was a psychologist, he understood what I was trying to do. "Let's not play these silly games. You trying to understand me, trying to get me to open up about my feelings. I know what you're trying to do."
"Is that what you think I'm trying to do? I'm just trying to have a conversation with you."
"You think you know what this is about? I have watched this legal system put innocent men in prison my whole career."
"That has nothing to do with Grace or Kevin."
"So I sent you one that would blow up in your face." Charles was taunting me, I could see it in his eyes. He was enjoying this back and forth he had going with me.
Out of nowhere the atmosphere in the room changed. I don't how it happened but all of a sudden gunshots were ringing out. My instinct at first was to duck and I was sure I felt something fly pass over my head. The next thing I knew it was silent, gunshot smoke filled the air and I couldn't see. Fear set in once the smoke had cleared.
"Grace?! Grace!" I shouted, fear coming through.
No response. The fear had definitely settled within in my stomach as my cries were met with nothing. I pulled myself off the floor, my legs running one step ahead of my upper body. I collapsed by the door frame and saw the horror in front of me. Charles had managed to damage the door creating a hole just big enough to fit the rifle through. In that moment, he had pulled the trigger.
"Spence! Get the medics in here now!" I charged my full weight onto the door, feeling it give way as I stumbled into the room. I gave a quick glance towards Kevin, but at that moment my only concern was Grace. I ran around to the other side of the bed and was met with something I didn't imagine I would ever see in my life. Not when it was someone close to me. I dropped to my knees and gently turned Grace over. I swallowed hard, my throat dry. Her eyes were closed, but I could see her chest rising and falling. Though not how I would have liked it. I cast my eyes over her body to see where she was hit. That's was when I saw the dark pooling of blood covering her abdomen. My hand swiftly went to where the bleeding was, putting pressure on it to stop the blood flow.
"I'm sorry, Grace." I whisper, knowing that applying pressure was hurting her even though I didn't think she could feel it.
I hadn't heard anyone else enter the room. I was so lost in making sure Grace would survive until I head Spence's familiar voice break.
"Sir, paramedics are here."
I was frozen to the spot.
"Sir? You've got to let them through." Spence urged.
Still I couldn't move. Fear had rooted me where I was kneeling on the floor. My body was trembling with concern and guilt. Spence somehow managed to pull me away so the medics could work on Grace.