Chapter 27
Into the Still of the Night
0045 – London, UK
Laura wandered the platform after the last train emptied its passengers at midnight. She had heard the overhead announcement that service will not be resuming at 5 AM and patrons will need to find an alternative means of transportation. She did not know what that meant, but by the responses she saw from the people scurrying past her, it seemed this was a serious matter. She adjusted the straps on the ruck sack against her back, deciding she should heed Georgie's advise and go home. As much as her feet were set to do just that, inside she felt a wave of fear. Her mother was surely upset with her and Reginald may refuse her return.
She began the flight up the first set of steps, gripping the hand rail tightly as she went. When she reached the top, she heard the mobile ringing in the ruck sack. She scooted off to the side and slid the pack off. After digging through her cache she located Elvis' phone. She startled when she saw the caller ID was her mother. Throwing caution to the wind she swiped the screen.
"Mummy!?"
"Laura! Honey! Where are you? I am worried sick!" Debbie's voice comforted Laura, but also ignited a twist of guilt.
"I'm coming home mummy. I'm sorry. But I have to hurry before they close the gate."
"Where are you? I will come and pick you up."
"I'll be on…"
"Where? Laura? Laura?!"
Debbie's eyes flared when she saw the call ended. She redialed. The call went to voicemail.
"Hello? Mummy?" Laura shook the phone, then noticed the screen was black. "Shit!" she said. "I have no way to charge it. Now what am I gonna do?"
She noticed people hurrying up the steps to street level. She had to get from underground. She stuffed the phone away and hoisted the pack onto her back and joined them. Half-way up someone from behind tried to pull the pack away from her. Laura fell and twisted around finding herself face to face with a bearded man with dirty hands.
"Get off me!" she screamed.
He stood tall but was two steps below her. He reached again and she kicked out hard, striking him squarely in the groin. He grunted and collapsed to his knees. Laura shimmied away from him and ran up the stairs, slipping when she reached the top. Not thinking twice, she launched herself onto the wet sidewalk. She had no idea it had rained. She pushed past people near the tube entrance and ran. Her attacker hobbled to the sidewalk and watched her blonde ponytail erratically bounce behind her. Laura glanced back and saw him, hunched over with clenched fists. She kept running, oblivious to where she was going. A group of people were huddled on a corner talking. She stopped and tried to hide among them to see if he was following her. Her heart flipped when she saw him approaching under the street lights.
"Shit!" she said. "Shit, shit shit!"
Taking a quick look around she checked traffic and sprinted across the street, not looking back until she reached the other side. Her pursuer was stranded at the corner when an influx of oncoming cars made it impossible for him to cross. Laura paused only long enough to see how angry he was. Another rush of cars passed by and she took advantage. She ran, all the while wondering how her father would escape.
Xxxxx
0130
Debriefs were not one of Elvis' favorite engagements. Get the job done, submit an after action report and move on. That is the way he liked it. Not rehashing his actions in front of a panel of advisors who really had no insight as to what it takes to get results in the field. Military action was over. Further inquiry was MI5's responsibility, but the brass kept asking questions and Jason Speers kept answering on behalf of MI5's intelligence.
All Elvis wanted to do was go home. He wanted to call Georgie again, and Debbie. In fact, Debbie deserved some explanation as to his whereabouts. But, no phone. He rolled his wrist on his lap to view the time. Would it even be worth waking Debbie at this hour and getting Laura going?
"Captain Harte. Were you ordered to pursue Ms. Bowers and her accomplice?" Lieutenant Colonel Saul Jessop said.
Elvis looked up. Not expecting to repeat his accounting of the events. "Ordered sir?"
"That is correct. Did a Commanding Officer give you a direct order to pursue?"
Elvis never blinked. "Negative sir."
Jessop scratched the side of his nose. "Then what possessed you to do so Captain?"
Dave Warner squirmed in his seat but remained silent. Speers politely sat back. Elvis straightened his spine, unconsciously adopting his military posture and said,
"In all due respect sir, the situation presented itself and I engaged."
Jessop sniffed and said, "the situation presented itself."
"Yes sir."
"Did it ever occur to you Captain, that it was Metro's responsibility to engage and pursue?"
Colonel Thornton frowned. He knew where this line of questioning was headed and he would have none of it. Before Elvis could respond he interjected.
"By all accounts Metro personnel were not privy to the goings on at that particular scene prior to the ambulance's departure."
Jessop tapped his pen, clearly annoyed that his interrogation was interrupted. His eyes never left Elvis' face though.
"Noted," Jessop said. "However, I wish to hear Captain Harte's answer."
Dave Warner glanced at Elvis. He saw no reaction except for a methodical picking at a thumb nail with an index finger.
"We had reason to believe an asset, pretending to be a victim, was on board the fleeing ambulance. Metro personnel were peripheral to the immediate area. It was my decision to engage," Elvis said.
Jessop moistened his lips. "You seized a Metro motorcycle."
"Indeed."
"And…..you – "
"Enough." Thornton said, squarely making eye contact with Jessop. "I think we all know how the story ends. Captain Harte had not been relieved of duty prior to his actions."
"Additionally, take into account that I was present. This was by no means a rogue action on Captain Harte's part." Warner said.
"Agreed," Jason Speers added.
Elvis felt like he was submitting to Selection all over again. What the hell was Jessop trying to prove?
One by one Colonel Thornton queried the other advisors. All were in agreement that Elvis acted appropriately.
"Gentlemen. Thank you for your input," Thornton said closing the folder in front of him. "I believe we are finished here. You are dismissed Captain Harte."