24: To Paradise

Summary:

Staff and students are taken hostage by an Islamic militant group that threatens its destruction unless certain Muslim prisoners are freed. But only one of the team can tell where the bomb is.

“Morning Lin,” Reinhard greeted the taller teen detective and fellow school mate.

Although it was summer break throughout the UK, their school in Croonford requested all students from Year 8 onwards to return for classes to ensure the school’s academic rating would remain stellar. Students of course complained but there was no clear opposition. Reinhard looked at Lin Ling and despite having seen her in her summer uniform many times, it now appeared to enhance her beauty. Her school blouse although wasn’t tight against her torso, seemed to push out her C-Cup breasts. Her skirt conformed to school regulations but her bare legs were firm with the skin slightly shining.

“About the last time…” He began.

“Thanks again for freeing me last time. For once, I thought I would suffer from that gag and boiling room,” She interrupted.

“Uh yes, I meant the dinner you cooked.” “Want another round?” “Well, perhaps somewhere else,” Reinhard could think where. He wasn’t a great cook and his own home was messy compared to her majestic place. He admitted the first part to her, mentioned they could go to some German or Jamaican eatery but couldn’t think of any.

“We’ll find…” Lin’s answer was interrupted when Michelle Summers appeared. “What were interrupted you two discussing?”

“Oh, nothing much,” Lin quickly replied then as Mark, Chelle’s boyfriend joined them, Chelle updated them on the last case. Those eco-terrorists were definitely also racists, affirming what Lin heard from one them just after they left. They authorities were still trying to find other hideouts with other kidnapped victims and other technologies they group may own. “Racists,” Lin remarked as the group reached the school gates.

“Hey, it’s the same repair van again. I thought the lighting in the hall was already fixed. Spotting the school’s longest serving security guard, she asked him. “Oh, yes, Miss Chan, they suddenly said want to check the wiring again.” Ted Wiggins was friendly to the East Asian student but was friendly still trying to figure out how to pronounce her name. While Lin partly accepted that answer, Chelle was wondering where the other girl detective, Jennifer Thompson was.

“Probably of finding adventure like you,” came one answer.

“She’s in the ladies, probably a bad breakfast,” came another.

That was partly true, Jenn had locked herself in a toilet cubicle. She didn’t have any food poisoning or relieving herself there but again just reading the regional and national debating results. The morning bell interrupted her reading and sighing, she got out but just she was about to pull open the door, she heard what she was the sound of fireworks. That’s strange, she thought as it was too early in the year. The crackling noise occurred again, then there were shouts and an explosion which almost caused her to fall down. After a sound like a small explosion was heard, Jenn slowly inched the door open and gasped. Students, teachers and staff were marched in lines with their hands over their heads. Men wearing uniforms that identified them as electricians were wearing balaclavas and armed with rifles shouting at students and staff in a foreign language also prodding random staff or students randomly with rifles she could not immediately identify.

She gently closed the door not before whipping out her mobile phone before snapping several pictures. Damn, damn, damn, Jenn thought. The school’s been taken over by armed men but why? Jenn knew guesses would wait as she had to call the police fast. Retreating back in the same stall, Jenn was about to do so until she found she had no signal on her phone. Shaking it, she still found a dead signal. Oh crap.

Meanwhile, the armed men separated the staff and students in different rooms. Staff were held in one corner of their own staff room while male students were held in the school hall while female students were kept in various classrooms with everyone still forced to keep their hands on their heads. Just after every one was separated the PA system crackled.

“Everyone, your attention. You should note the armed men surrounding all of you. Any silly heroes will be shot on sight. You may be freed only if we get what we want.” Jenn heard it and deduced it was either a North African or Middle Eastern accent. What do they want? Jenn was thinking extremely fast until she heard footsteps. She darted out of the stall, quickly closing the door and rushed into the cleaner’s closet. There was no internal lock so she quickly pushed the nearby hoover against the door. The room naturally stank so she held her breath and waited. The sounds of someone opening and closing the toilet stalls was heard then the footsteps were much louder. Jenn tensed up, ready to be captured or…suddenly the footsteps retreated, then a sound indicating the main toilet door was open and closed made her heave a sigh of relief.

Jenn suddenly knew she had to head to her locker where she kept the bulk of her gadgets. The two main gadgets she had was the identification device she sown onto her bra and the radio earrings. The main worry was that the girl’s locker room was one long corridor away from this girl’s loo she was in. Jenn waited for a minute and half, placing her left ear against the door. Hoping there was no hostage takers — they had to be, she deduced — she slowly pulled the door open and stepped out, grateful that no one was immediately in sight.

Jenn decided she would take an alternative route to the locker room which meant she travel one floor up, cross another shorter corridor, down another flight of stairs and across yet another corridor. Half tiptoeing and slowly walking she made it up the first flight of stairs then spotted a locked window that showed the outside street. I can signal someone if only…Jenn shook her head and reached the top only to quickly spot another armed masked man walking towards the stairwell. Quickly, she rushed back down, albeit halfway, pressing herself against the wall and waited for the dreadful grab. Once again, luck was with Jenn as the sound of footsteps faded. She confirmed this by peeking and noticing the guard heading the other way.

The first room on this new level was an empty Year 8 classroom. Jenn immediately spied and grabbed some permanent markers from the art table then headed back down to the window. Jenn tested a marker on the window and nothing much came out the suddenly a police officer in sight. Dropping the markers in her skirt pocket, she rapidly waved at the officer also tapping the glass. Initially, the officer did not look up and was about to move away then spotted Jenn. She wasn’t proficient in Morse Code but recalling learning it from a camp, she used her hands to signal twice ‘SCHOOL TAKEN OVER BY ARMED MEN, NEED URGENT HELP, JENNIFER THOMPSON.’ The officer stood still as Jenn sent the signal then walked off away in sight.

Did he get my signal? Did he send for further help? Jenn could only guess but still aimed to reach her locker. Kneeling on a stair, she noticed the armed man still patrol that corridor. She waited until he turned around then rushed into the classroom, drawing the door almost closed and peering out. The armed man turned around again, following a pattern. Jenn seized the chance to head into the second classroom then following the pattern, she moved into the other classrooms when the guard always turned his back and finally she reached the other stairwell, rushed down and enter the girls’ locker room.

While Jenn had successfully reached the locker room, the other teen detectives were trying to figure out how to harass the despite trio of armed guards guarding them and other students. Mark and Reinhard were thinking hard about that while Chelle and Lin glanced at each other to communicate silently with their eyes.

Jenn retrieve gadgets including the foundation kit which held a penknife, the pen torchlight – just in case the lights went out and exchanged her watch with the watch that had an in-built laser and finally the pen loaded with pepper spray. The other gadgets she had stashed back in the detective’s headquarters but decided these were sufficient. She further changed to her PE shorts and shirt definitely more practical and comfortable in this situation. Jenn found there was still no mobile phone signal on hr phone but activating the tracking app Lin invented. The signals from the other four detectives were active somewhere north east of her position but were all grouped together. A minute or so passed, and none of the signals moved with Jenn surmising it wasn’t where the others were – their phones were likely taken away.

Jenn pressed her left ear and spoke. “Hey gang,” she radioed in a soft voice and explained where she was for the past hour. “Don’t reply. I managed to signal a police officer and help should be on the way.” Jenn really wondered if that was true. Just as she decided to move, her shoe touched some object and she discovered it was a portable Wi-Fi router.

The police constable (PC) in fact did read Jenn’s broken morse code and thought it was a joke at first. He was off duty yet still after seeing her he headed to the school’s main gate attempting to enter. However, just as he was pressing the button for ‘Guest Entry’, a shot came from the school window striking him in his right chest. “Officer 732, status zero, Croonford road, outside the school gates.” He radioed.

That set off a huge chain of events. An Ambulance pulled up but as paramedics rushed up to him, more shot were fired, hitting a paramedic in his right arm. With cries of ‘fall back’ they all managed to move into the safety of the ambulance and the injured were in the local hospital in no time. Less than an hour, another police officer arrived, Detective Sergeant (DS) Bluebell Ransom. Ransom still had an open drug case but a shooting was even more serious. As she asked the injured officer to repeated the last part of the morse code, her eyes widened and turned to dial a number.

Jenn had only seen her father once with a portable Wi-Fi router but she was smart enough to figure out how to operate the device she found. She smiled once her phone caught the Wi-Fi signal and quickly sent a WhatsApp message to Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) Nikki Heath, the teen detective’s key police ally.

Nikki, armed men have taken over the school and held staff and students hostage. Please send help quickly.

Doubles ticks appeared then came the reply.

A PC saw a female student signalling this message in morse code signed off with your named and was shot at the school gates. Was that u who sent the signal?

Jenn typed ‘yes’.

Are u safe? What about the others?

Don’t know. Believe all their phones were taken. Think am safe. In the girl’s locker room.

Don’t try anything brave. Stay where you are. Help should arrive.

That last did not happen instantly. With the report of the shot police office and paramedic along with DCI Heath dubious report the decide came 11:50am to send it the region’s Counter Terrorism Special Firearms (CTSFO) team.

The bulk of UK police officers, except those in Northern Ireland. don’t carry firearms unlike most police forces globally so as not to act a threatening force to the community. Certain officers are trained and authorised to carry and discharge firearms ranging from pistols to sniper rifles. These fall generally under three classes: Authorised Firearms Officer, officers who carry firearms for escort duties, force protection and other related tasks. The next level is Specialist Firearms Officer, trained not just with firearms but building entry, hostage rescue and the like. The highest level is the Counter Terrorism Special Firearms Officer, naturally able to tackle terrorists.

The regional CTSFO team approached the school stealthily no sirens. Despites this, more shot rang out and several officers shouted into their personal radios. “Pull back!” The leader, Police Sergeant Anna Bulford ordered and checked on her team. After repeated replies ‘No Harm’, Bulford ordered her team to pull further back but still surround the school. “Julie, go find blueprints for this building fast.” PC Julie Hawkins, Bulford’s deputy and close friend – explaining the first name – acknowledged.

More police vehicles arrived and out of the first came a 180cm tall male officer, came to confer with Bulford. After hearing the update, Assistant Chief Constable (ACC) Marcus Rayson, the head of the region’s CTSFO command and Bulford’s higher superior first remark was, “You’ve got a lot of girls here.” Besides PS Bulford and PC Hawkins, there was Ellie Lindsay, a black PC born in the East Midlands, PC Grace Alexander and a former PS now PC Alison Mason who had left hen re-joined the police and trained as a CTSFO. There were a couple of other female PCs but and an almost equivalent of male CTSFO PCs.

“Is that problem sir?” Anna retorted.

“Oh, no,” he quickly replied. ACC Rayson wasn’t a misogynistic but still was of the kind that preferred male officers. Anna was an exception; he saw her as an excellent officer. Next to him was another black female PS, who introduced herself as the hostage and crisis negotiator. “Negotiator,” ACC Rayson muttered under his breath indicating his dislike but didn’t stop Jane Smyth from trying several of the school phone numbers but got engaged tones.

While the negotiator was trying to get contact, Jenn was still in the locker room, a little elated from Nikki’s last words. She was about to rest against a locker when she heard the automatic doors open. Immediately, Jenn got flat down on the floor and as she started to squirm, she heard a voice call out in some unknown language and instead got on her knees and crawled as fast as she could to the end of row between the sets of lockers. With her heart beating fast and the dreaded thought of being caught, she still raised and turned her head. She spotted legs encased in black jumpsuit and boots and rapidly weighed her options. The automatic doors to the room were now at the far end. The various set of lockers created four different rows all leading to the doors. Jenn was on the third row – the sets of lockers were arranged by surname. To head to the doors meant traversing back down the row she crawled and giving herself up. Or… there was the soft sound of air rushing in. Jenn then realised in was the sole window in the locker room, usually closed but partly open due to the scorching weather. That particular window was at the back of the first row.

As the legs started moving towards her, Jenn quickly crawled through the narrow gap, reaching the fourth row. Not daring to look back, Jenn crawled again then spotted the thug in full, waking down the second row. As he turned walked back and headed to the third row, Jenn had managed to reach the front of the first and pressed herself against the metal locker. Suddenly, she tip-toed, and finally reached the window. It was only partially opened and Jenn quickly tugged at the handle. In other situation, she might have extracted her gadgets, but she was now frantic. Come on, come on, the gap finally widened and Jenn held the sill with her hands, trying to ignore the pain and lifted herself over. Ow, ow, her torso now ached but she was now in on a shaded path. Peering over the sill, she spotted the armed man turning to exit and she managed to snape a picture of him before he left.

Jane Smyth was about to try one of the school numbers again when her phone – they had commandeered a shophouse – rang. “Hello,” Jane introduced herself as other officers listened in on deadlines. There was immediate silence on the other end, then a snigger and a dark voice spoke not in English.

“What’s that?” PS Bulford asked with Smyth holding up her hand and answering in the same language. The answer came back in the same harsh voice replied then the line closed.

With a no emotion on her face, Jane explained. “They want Palestinian prisoners in UK custody freed by 3:00pm this afternoon. If they aren’t, they’ll blow the whole school.” She then added she took a course in Farsi, a language from the Middle East.

Jenn re-entered the school then ensuring there wasn’t any armed thugs in the vicinity, she sent another message to DCI Heath.

You did what?! Nikki nearly typed back both shocked and admiring the teen’s escape. After seeing the images,

Jenn, stay where you are now, Nikki typed then rushed to her car.

“Hey, mister, hey I need to use the toilet,” Harriet Coy, one of Chelle and Lin’s classmates called. The trio of thugs didn’t respond.

“Hey, I need to go to the toilet. Toilet? Do you understand? Toilet?” Hattie called again. One turned at her then turn back.

“Hey, my friend needs go to escape. After the toilet, ” Lin added waving her hands. Suddenly one of the thugs growled and his hand gestures indicated all should keep their hands on their heads. Lin’s response was to glare at him which cause him to step over the other girls and yank the East Asian teen out. Lin’s struggle and Chelle’s attempt to assist was futile as a shot was fired, making all girls fall silent. Lin was march out hand gagged with a pistol trained at her back while another thug gestured for Hattie to get up.

“Shots fired, short fired inside,” one of the PCs radioed.

Shit, Anna Bulford swore. “Someone get me the fibre-optic robot now; I need eyes inside now!”

Jenn also heard the gunfire which jolted her. Did they just kill someone?! Staff or student? She knew the outline of the school extremely well and the shot came from just around the corner. She knew Nikki told her to stay put but curiosity got the better of her and headed off. Suddenly, she heard pretty loud footsteps and quickly shrunk back. Peering over, she spotted Lin hand gagged, held at gunpoint and being marched away while another terrorist was leading a rather distraught Hattie back down the corridor.

Jane Smyth was the calmest of the officers in response to the shot. She immediately tried the line again while the CTSO team was busy preparing their robot. As she found the line engaged again, the robot already reached one corner but before it could fully extend its arms, a couple of shots were fired at it instantly destroying it. Before the chorus of curses started, the phone rang.

“Salām,” she greeted but the response, despite the sharp accent was clear: You will pay!

Suddenly, a bruised Ted Wiggins walked out of the entrance and again just before he reached bullet strike his right leg.

Nothing, no one approaches us anymore! Get my people free! The voice screamed and the call stopped.

“We’ve got no eyes no ears inside, I’m not sending in my team blind,” PS Bulford whined, tapping the blueprint of the school. Just as she was about to repeat her rant, DCI Heath rushed in, declaring, “I’ve got something.”

“Hmm, ShAK-12,” PC Hawkins point at the first picture.

“AK-100,” Hawkins nodded at the second which was the terrorist checking out the girl’s locker room. “These won’t stop our armour and our MCXs and my team,” Bulford meant the SIG MCX carbine, which her team just acquired. She had also augmented her team with additional CTSFO officers. “It doesn’t tell me where the whole lot of terrorists are.”

“Well, these came from the only person who’s free inside,” Nikki added then wishing she didn’t say that.

“You mean asking a kid to help us get an idea of who’s inside?! I’ve heard about how close you are with those detective girls,” ACC Rayson remarked. The offices’ debated and finally PS Bulford activated the police’s WhatsApp signal.

Jennifer, my name’s Sergeant Anna Bulford. Are you still there?

Yes.

We need a clearer picture of the hostage takers inside. Can you move freely?

Jenn’s affirmative answer took time to arrive.

We’re not asking you to risk your life but your help would be much appreciated. Anna then typed a general summary what she required.

While Jenn now knew the risk for her had trembled, Lin was practically tight spot. She was thrown into a cleaner’s closet, electrical tape wrapped around her jaw many times, taped to the chair’s arms, and her legs similarly taped to the chair’s legs and spread out. One of the terrorists muttered to his colleague and Lin was left alone with the other. “Mmmph! Mmmph!” She cried through her gag as the terrorist started stroking her bare legs.

Find where the terrorists are patrolling, Jenn read the message over and over again. That’s harder than those games when you can’t solve the mysteries. Taking a sip from the nearby water cooler, she walked as silently as she could and down the stairs, she spotted two more terrorists. Quickly retreating, she updated the police. Jenn moved up another stairwell, finding another terrorist who walked away, back facing her and disappearing. This level was where another smaller hall was and Jenn surmised that guy had entered that hall. Muffled chatter arose and Jenn approached and knowing the hall outline extremely well, she eased open a side door. Inside four men were huddled over a device with wires sticking out. There was a fifth man huddled in one corner staring at some paper mounted on an easel. No, it a map, Jenn thought. Pulling out out her phone, took one picture of the four terrorists then tried to angle her phone to snap another picture. As she was typing….

Four men huddling over a device, one in a corner looking…

Jennifer, Jenn, you there? Anna typed then a only a single grey tick appeared.

“We’ve lost her,” she remarked after a second try. “Sorry,” she said to DCI Heath who only blinked hoping the teen wasn’t injured or worse, killed.

“Device,” PC Hawkins pointed. “It must be where the device is located. Can you trace where the last signal came from?” The track expert did and the team finalised their plans to assault the school.

Damn, damn, damn, Jenn shook her head as she saw her phone battery fall flat. I guess that the end of my spying for the police. As she tried to move, the front of her shoe was stuck to the door sill. She tugged wildly and it came free with the door slamming shut. Oh drats…

The perverted terrorist was still caressing Lin’s leg and was about to part her skirt and expose her knickers when another masked colleague called for his help in Farsi. Lin thought she it was a chance to struggle free but instead another but shorter thug facing her.

Jenn darted down another flight of stairs only to spot two more terrorists charging up at her and she heard shouts behind her. Making a wild choice, she raced down the stairs and slammed through both men, then rush as far as she could finding herself into the drama room. Now this my territory, she thought. Heading to the stage, she fixed the curtain and waited. The same duo she struck entered and just as they approached the stage, Jenn pulled a rope, causing the wooden pole and curtain to strike them. Two down, she thought spraying the pepper spray on one but as she wished to hide back stage, one of them stirred and Jenn was dragged off like a captured animal.

“The Home Secretary said no deals. Assault green light, critical shot authorised.” PS Bulford acknowledged the order. Critical shot meant the CTSFO officers would shoot at the head to ensure the targets would be killed. They only item that was prohibited was tear gas as it would cause adverse effects on both terrorists and hostage alike. After studying the blueprints and examining the whole building, they spotted a likely blind spot. One group would use grappling hooks and scale the wall, reaching the roof and enter via the skylight. Another would break down the wall – it had a weak structure – and enter simultaneously. Interference would be previously by activating the fire alarm for a short while – the CTSFOs decided so as they need to disorientate but needed clear communications. The fire sprinkler sprinklers would be also activated.

Negotiator Jane Smyth didn’t like her part in the plan. Just as the interference started, the call came shouting over the alarm and spray of water. Jane lied she knew nothing about that and the demands were trying to be met. Immediately, the grappling extended with Anna Bulford leading the climb. Simultaneously, Julie Hawkins and other CTSFOs used enhanced sledgehammers to break down the wall. The first shots from the rooftop section struck a pair of terrorists near the Year 13 classroom while the lower team moved and killed two more near the art rooms. Methodically, the CTSFOs together shot four more before the lower team first reached the staff room, first using a portable fibre-optic camera to determine if there were any hostage takers inside being entering.

“School staff found unharmed,” Hawkins radioed.

“Received. Get to that hall!” Bulford replied. Her group faced more resistance around the science labs. Throwing several stun grenades, she surprised two more and before they could get up, two shots each ensured they were dead. Hawkins found team found the male students by throwing smoke grenades inside before killing the terrorists with pin point accuracy. Two terrorists suddenly appeared shooting PC Alison Mason, but her Kevlar vest prevent any severe injury and PC Alexander shot them in response with her Glock 17. Turning the corner, the team freed the female students also using smoke grenades first before killing the guards.

Anna’s Bulford’s team only just reached that smaller hall when a masked terrorist stepped out, an arm locked around Jenn’s neck. He screamed in an unintelligible language and the threat was clear. “Weapons down,” Bulford ordered, but a second later two shots were fired and the terrorist dropped dead.

“Sorry I was late,” Julie Hawkins remarked, holstering her Glock. “The others are evacuating everyone now.”

It was mayhem with younger female students crying as they were escorted out and staff double-checked in case terrorists were masquerading as them. “Where’s Lin?!” Chelle cried amongst the shouting. Reinhard immediately heard that and rushed back inside, ignoring the cries of policeman. Judging from where he was held, he ran there, calling out his fellow detective’s name. Thankfully, he found the closet with the East Asian teen lying on the ground, struggling against the tape and her uniform soaked. With no knife or gadget, it took a while before he got her bonds free, “tha…nks!” she coughed, removing the gag.

The whole assault took twelve minutes following which a lone officer in a bomb suit entered. “I don’t it’s the actual device,” Jenn remarked. She was in a debrief with the CSFO officers and Jane Smyth. A screen showed the last pictures she took before her phone battery died. “The guy holding me captive was chatting on the phone and pointing at that map,” she pointed at the screen. In response, the officers didn’t think much about it and were about to dismiss her when Helen Barkson, the ‘Expo’ or Explosives Officer walked in.

“It’s a phony, I’ve seen worse fake IEDs in the toy stores,” Helen remarked. “Hey that’s the London Victoria Line,” she traced her finger across a faded line on the map.

Jane suddenly stood up. “And that says, in Farsi, ‘To Paradise’.

“I’ll warn SCO19,” Anna added.

The call came just in time. A SCO19 – Special Firearms Unit – of London’s team was patrolling Euston tube station where they spotted a hooded figure standing near one of the exits motionless. Just as officer called ‘armed..’ the figure turned around evident with explosives wrapped under his jacket, two shots were fired, killing him.

Epilogue:

The students and some staff were offered medical assistance and counselling from the whole ordeal. Ted Wiggins was hospitalised for many days but was making a recovery fast for his age. The real electricians were found murdered in a nearby rubbish heap and scores of counter-terrorism police were investigating how this unknown gang acquired their weapons and why Croonford school was chosen.

Reinhard made good on his offer, taking Lin to Jamaya, a Jamaican place in Birmingham’s City Centre. “Oh, this is sure therapy from being bound and gagged for hours,” she declared, eating a piece jerk chicken. Meanwhile, Jenn was awarded a police commendation plague, the citation reading, “for utmost bravery in a hostage situation and assisting the police selflessly’.

“Congratulations young lady,” the Deputy Chief Constable said. All I did was taking photographs and running like a hyena, she thought. And facing armed men. I don’t think I’ll dare it ever again.

“The doors open, come in,” Anna Bulford called and Julie Hawkins slowly entered.

“Gosh, it took me whole afternoon to avoid detection and find your place,” Julie said.

“Oh, it’s nothing to fuss about. Come here,” She brought her deputy into her bedroom.

“You sure about this? We could be separated on different teams or kicked out of the force.”

“Oh Julie, that would mean firing many others. Come on.”

“But…my boyfriend….”

“Forget him. Get out of your clothes.” Minutes later, with both officers down to their underwear and cuddling each other, Julie did.

Michelle, Lin Ling, Jennifer, Mark and Reinhard will return in’Racist Rabbles’.

14: Hostage

Summary:

Michelle’s birthday party is disrupted as she is taken hostage. What follows is a long ride across the UK and multiple failed attempts at escaping.

Author’s note: This story is inspired by, not a copycat, of Sleepover Hostages.

Michelle Summers’ fourteenth birthday was approaching and what should actually have been a joyful birthday was marred by the fact that it her father who was away in Russia. He did promise to return as soon as he could, but she wondered what exactly he was doing over there. As form of making up, her mum treated her and her younger sister Catherine or Kate to a meal at Croonford’s top Spanish restaurant. Checking her texts and WhatsApp messages afterwards, she squealed. “Oh wow. Stacey’s coming down to visit me this weekend. Excellent! I can’t wait to introduce her to all my new friends here; she would definitely mix well with them. Mum, do you think I could have a small party on Friday night? Have a few of my school mates over from school?”

“I don’t mind Stacey being here, she’s a sensible girl but I’m not too sure about you having a party, especially not when I won’t be around,” Mrs Margaret Summers replied.

In Chelle’s excitement, she’d forgotten that her mum had to go down to London Friday to sort out her previous job matters. She’d arranged to stay overnight with her dad’s sister and wouldn’t coming back until late Saturday afternoon. After much convincing and promising that she’ll look after Kate and not inviting any boys over, her mother finally agreed.

Stacey is Chelle’s cousin, the same age as her from her father’s side who moved to Telford, a town directly next to Croonford. Chelle hadn’t seen her cousin since she’d moved to Croonford and her to Telford, though she had e-mailed and texted her often and tried to chat up with her via WhatsApp call or Skype at least once a week and keep in touch regularly via Facebook. Stacey’s family lived in the same district as Chelle did when they were young and the two girls were totally inseparable. Stacey was also always an intellectual and also always been far more feminine than Chelle and was constantly experimenting with makeup and new hairstyles. Chelle checked her Facebook account to see what Stacey looked like yet she wondered idly what she’d look like in person on Friday in person.

Friday came and Chelle was extremely excited both about the mini-party and seeing Stacey. The guest list however was rather small besides Stacey. Chelle very much wished Mark Cadvish could come over but didn’t want to disobey her mum again. Julia Humes was the first to give a negative reply but promised to make it up later. Bethan and Harriet or Hattie both said they would arrive later. This meant Jenn and Lin Ling, her fellow detectives would definitely be there.

Chelle was kept at school until late afternoon and only managed to leave late in the afternoon. There was a bus stop round the corner from the school, and she scrape together just enough change for a single child’s fare to the local station; she decided to bring Stacey to her house via taxi. The train was just pulling away when she arrived there. Desperately, she searched through the crowds for the familiar face, but she couldn’t spot Stacey anywhere. Where could she be?

A voice in her ears made her jump. “How ya, Chelle?” She swung round and Stacey stood behind me holding a big black rucksack, a stupid grin on her face. They hugged and kissed each other on both cheeks, and then they both took a step back and looked at each other closely.

“Chelle, you better change out of this bland uniform the instant we’re at your house.” Stacey exclaimed, jabbing her finger.

Chelle blushed as she was still in her school uniform – a black blazer, white blouse, and pleated dark black knee length skirt along with 40 denier black tights since it was getting cold and black loafers – certainly she didn’t look anywhere near as cool or as beautiful as Stacey. She was wearing a stonewashed black denim jacket over a pink crew neck t-shirt with ‘Telford’ in white letters across the chest, a figure hugging dark blue lycra mini skirt, pattern translucent blue tights and red mid-calf boots. Her hair was a mass of golden blonde curls loose down to her shoulders and a floppy fringe hanging down over her eyes.

“You like?” she asked, twirling around. “I should hope so, this outfit cost me a small fortune. Feel my tights, go on, feel them.”

She lifted one leg and Chelle stroked it, finding so incredibly soft.

“I was stuck in my Literature and Media Club meeting,” Chelle explained. “Don’t worry; I’ll change into something pretty once we get to my home.”

“I haven’t got you a present,” She informed Chelle as they lined up at the Taxi stand. ” But I thought maybe tomorrow maybe we go on a little shopping spree and eating, my treat.”

They continued the usual talk and naturally Stacey asked Chelle how the detective work was going. “Challenging,” came the answer and Chelle described how Stacey might get along well with the others detectives, especially Lin. They finally entered a taxi and just two minutes later, Stacey suddenly asked, “Excuse me could you turn the radio up a moment please,” and the driver complied. Chelle raised her eyes but listened carefully to the news.”… The man who is believed to be armed and highly dangerous remains at large after robbing Croonford’s Bank in the early hours of this morning, stealing a guard’s firearm. He is described as Caucasian, over 1.8 metres tall with a sightly bald head and scarred left face to his left eye. He was last seen wearing blue jeans and a black t-shirt and has a tattoo of a heart across it on his lower right arm. Residents of Croonford are warned not to approach this man but to call the police immediately if they think they have spotted him. In other news….”

Stacey giggled nervously.

“Oh, great so there’s an armed maniac on the loose in Croonford? And to think people say Telford is dangerous,” She squealed. “A case for you and your detective gang Chelle,” she added.

Chelle shrugged. “It might be but this is my birthday, time to relax. The police will catch him…” She knew capable people like Detective Inspector (DI) Nicola Heath would be right after him but sill she couldn’t help wandering if he would be worth looking into.

Arriving home, she called out to Kate but she didn’t reply as she would usually. That’s strange, she wondered as she hung up outer coat in the hallway coat rack while Stacey also hung up hers and her branded handbag and pulled off her pink boots. Kate would usually be watching the Telly or creating sounds from the kitchen. Maybe Kate finished preparing for the party. Kicking off her own school shoes, Chelle prepared to go upstairs and change until Stacey asked for where she could find water. Chelle naturally gave her cousin directions but halfway up the stairs, she heard Stace shout. “Err…Chelle, come here!”

“What’s the problem, Stace?” Chelle asked. “Spider in the kitchen?”

“No!”

Chelle gave an involuntary gasp as she raced back down and entered the kitchen. In the far corner of the kitchen, half hidden behind the table was Kate. She lay on her side her back to Chelle and Stacey, lying and not moving. Kate was dressed in her black T-Shirt and matching jeans, white ankle socks on her feet. Chelle noted her sister was not just unconscious but her wrists and ankles were bound with parcel tape. She immediately rushed up and knelt down and saw that more tape had been wrapped around her head, trapping her long hair and her cheeks were swollen under the tape, indicating some object had been stuffed into her mouth before the gag were applied. Kate laid so still and Chelle was definitely worried she might have choked on her gag but the twelve-year-old let out a low moan. Chelle immediately felt and found the edge of the gag and slowly removed the tape. Just before she could pry open Kate’s mouth and pull out what was some serviette bought for the party, she heard a gruff voice behind her.

“Okay Miss student, that’s enough. Stuff it back in, tape it right back.”

Chelle turned and came face to face with a bald, bearded man wearing jeans and a black t-shirt. his left eye and cheek was scarred and his right arm locked around Stacey’s neck, an arm that revealed a tattoo. A semi-automatic pistol was pressed against her head and he had a full backpack on his back.

“You!” Chelle cried recognizing him straight away from the description earlier on. “You’re the man who robbed the local bank.”

“Yah, that’s me,” he announced proudly.

“What the hell you doing in our house?” She raised her voice, though she could guess why.

“Don’t sweat it kid, just found this place. I ain’t looking to hurt no-one, yet. “His words made her flinch and she hated people using double negatives like that. “Now stuff the serviette back, gag your sis.”

“She’s nearly choking on it!” Chelle protested.

“Lower your bloody tone! Ok, just stick the tape it back, all around her hair.” Chelle wanted to protest again but gave in. The tape didn’t stick well but he tossed her a roll of parcel tape and soon Kate was gagged again with a fresh piece of tape. “Sorry,” she mumbled to her sister who just nodded her head in return.

Releasing his hold on Stacey’s neck, the robber literally her towards Chelle. “Catch your friend.” Not my friend, Chelle wanted to shout but Stacey skidded across the kitchen, her branded tights slipping against the well-polished linoleum floor and tumbled into Chelle’s arms, nearly toppling both of them both over. She held her cousin tightly, looked at her frightened and started slowly crying.

“Catch,” the intruder repeated, and another roll of tape and an open pack of serviettes landed at her feet. “Tape and gag your friend like I did to the little one,” he ordered. Chelle considered defying him again but knew she had no chance both of them would probably be shot. At least while they were alive, they would have some chance of escaping. Stacey had now calmed down and as if to read her cousin’s mind, she whispered “Best do as he says Chelle.” Turning so her back was towards Chelle, she crossed her hands behind her back and offered them up to her. Reluctantly, Chelle wrapped the tape around her slender wrists. “No, another round,” he ordered, pushing the gun closer. Soon enough, Stacey’s hands were bound extremely tightly as were her ankles. She turned and obediently opened her mouth to receive the serviette.

“All the way in,” he ordered sharply. Chelle pasted a small piece of turned tape over Stacey’s lipstick-covered lips when he objected.

“Na, right around her head, just like I did with your sister there,” he indicated at Kate who was slowly sobbing through her gag. Chelle reluctantly wound the tape right round, trapping Stacey’s hair in it, then up onto her cheek again and across the first layer so her lips were covered not once but twice.

“Okay, that should be enough.” Chelle felt relieved when the intruder stopped her. “Now place her on the floor but not too near with your little sis.”

“Don’t call my sister little,” she snapped, although that statement was so obviously full of fear. “Of course, sweetheart; but it’s your turn, wait you’re the Croonford girl detective trying to all crimes here and nearby. Chelle Summers right?”

“You can call me Michelle. Only my friends call me Chelle,” she retorted. “How the hell do you….”

“I’ll call you what I want; I’m the one in charge here. You think there’s no news about you and your gang? Oh, throw your silly gadgets towards me. I know you have them on you, now!” Chelle still wondered who exactly he was but threw the fake makeup kit that held a pen knife, the laser pen, the pepper cum pin spray pen and the anti-rape device. “Mobile phone!” That too the thug caught and kept in his bag. “Hands behind your back.” She sighed and did as told but before he could finish binding her wrists, the doorbell rang and they both literally jumped.

“Who the hell is at the door?” he barked.

Chelle had a fairly good idea it would be either Jenn or Lin or both but she wasn’t going to tell him that. “I… I don’t know.”

“Bullshit!” The man grabbed her roughly by the arm and pressed the pistol against her back. “Don’t try anything stupid, girls, ” he called to Kate and Stacey. “Or Chelle gets a bullet.”

The intruder marched the teen detective back out into the hall and up to the front door. Through the peep hole they both could make out two familiar girls on the far side of the door.

“Ah, the other two junior detectives,” he declared. “What they here…oh for your birthday party?’

Chelle wanted to say ‘of course, silly’ but that would anger him so she nodded her head instead.

“Just these two plus that blonde and your sis?” Chelle nodded again, hoping Hattie and Bethan wouldn’t arrive just after.

Before she could talk, he whispered. “Let them in. Careful lass, no tricks. Remember I’ve got this gun and I will start hurt youngsters if I have to.” He removed the tape.

Forcing herself to smile, Chelle opened the door. “Hi babes, glad you could all make it.”

Jenn was the first through the door. She was wearing a white denim jacket, orange T-shirt, cropped navy-blue jeans and white trainers with white ankle socks. Behind her was Lin who had tied her hair in a French plait and was wearing a black leather jacket, a low-cut maroon spaghetti top and a red tartan mini skirt. Her legs were sheathed in matching shiny red nylons and a pair of black open toed heels added a good 10-15cm to her 170cm height.

“Why have you still got your uniform on Chelle?” Lin wondered. “I thought you’d be dressed up to the nines and ready to party.”

Chelle paused, wondering if she should give some danger signal. If her friends’ parents discovered that their daughters didn’t return home on time, they might worry and drive over. On the other hand, if she gave a signal, Lin or Jenn might give an excuse, turn back and alert the police. But…

“Chelle? Why are you stunned? Wait, why are there tape marks around your…”

A door slammed shut, cutting off Jenn’s question and making them all jump. “Hello girls,” he boomed. The girls spun around and Jenn screamed with fright as the man who stood behind them pointing his weapon at them. “Hello, Lin, right? Jenn? Good or rather bad notice, seeing the tape marks. Hand over your gadgets, girls.” Chelle looked at her fellow detectives and mouthed a silent ‘please, there’s no other choice.’ Soon enough, the same set of gadgets were kept in the intruder’s bag.

“Okay ladies, let’s move it, to the kitchen if you please and hands up.” That is so cliche, all three girls thought. With Chelle leading the way, they walked through the hall to the kitchen where they found Kate and Stacey back-to-back, with Stacey trying to peel off Kate’s gag.

“Thought you’ll be trying to do that. Bitch,” he swore, using his leg to kick them away, slightly bruising both girls. He then opened up his back pack and motioned to Jenn and Lin. “Ok, shortie and you, on the floor, hands flat down on the floor where I can see them.”

“I ask again, can I expect any more girlies this evening?” He snapped. Chelle shook her head, wondering if that was true. Would Hattie and Bethan suddenly arrive?

“Right… Michelle,” he said. “You look the perfect catch for me.”

“You mean hostage,” she replied, trying not to quiver.

He didn’t answer as her twisted her arms behind her again. Suddenly, he cried as Lin kicked his knees with both her legs. “Bloody C****,” he swore, swung and pointed his weapon at her.

“Nooo!” Chelle cried. “Please don’t shoot her!”

He tensed, then released the pressure on the trigger. “Right, both of you, bind her up. First, gag yourselves.” Chelle and Jenn obeyed, a serviette both in their mouths then a strip of tape all around their jaw. Lin was soon trussed up with not tape but cable ties he stole from the Summers’ back garden. “Sorry,” Chelle told her classmate as she un-did her plait and administered the wrap-around tape gag. “Wrap tape all under and above her boobs,” came the next order. “Nice,” he noted Lin’s black bra and protruding breasts. “Your turn,” Jenn’s wrists were also bound, albeit with tape. “No, no no, I want them all separate. Get up and take her in there,” he ordered. “The rest of you, any more tries to escape, someone will really be shot!”

Chelle reluctantly led Jenn into what was the washing area. “Perfect. Tape her ankles. Now, Jenn, crawl inside the that plastic tub.” She did so and all the clothes were thrown over her. They left, not before he wedged a chair against the door.

The robber cut off Stacey’s, then Lin’s ankle bonds then along with Chelle, they were force-marched upstairs, directly to Chelle’s parents’ room. Stacey was ordered to lie down again and not to move while Chelle and the captor pushed Lin into the bathroom and shower stall. Her ankles were re-bound but Chelle cried through her gag as she was told to switch on the shower.

“Enjoy it,” he cackled as the shower door was shut with a chair. Stacey was roughly dragged up and brought directly to Kate’s bedroom. The guy must have thoroughly examined my house, Chelle thought as she was ordered to open the wardrobe. Stacey’s ankles were tightly bound and she was left mmmphing as the doors were closed and a chair jammed against it.

“Your sis will be fine on the kitchen floor,” he muttered, pushing Chelle into her own room. “Change out of your uniform and put these on,” he picked up black trousers and matching long-sleeved shirt.

“Mmm not takmming ofmm my clothes im front of u!” She replied through her gag.

“Do it!” Chelle did so, turning around to hide her underwear as best as she could but as she pulled on the shirt, she felt a massive strike on the back of her neck.

Sometime later….

“Mmmpph….” Chelle wailed, realising she was still tape gagged. She also discovered it was a different tape; not wrapped around her head, less adhesive and couldn’t feel the stuffed serviette in her mouth. Her wrists were now bound in front of Sometime her, her ankles like wise. She was draped in the same coat she hung up which covered her bonds.

“Welcome back sweetheart,” she heard the familiar voice, heard a familiar rumble and knew immediately she was in her mother’s car. “Man, those coppers manning the cordon were damn blind.” He explained how he convinced them he was taking his ill daughter to a doctor. Chelle immediately murmured through her gag how the police didn’t recognise him, based on the description all over the news. “Oh, I’m a master of disguise,” she then noticed the lipstick stain on his cheek.

“Mmmmph!”

“A tad too loud. I’ll tighten that gag soon.”

Summers’ residence

Naturally, all the bound and gagged girls were struggling wildly despite the various confinements they were kept in. Jenn was twisting around on her bum, trying to get out of the washing tub and cut off the tape. Not far from her, Kate managed to crawl up to the kitchen drawer as she knew there were scissors but they were in the top drawer. She was trained in gymnastics but none of the moves involved her taped up. One, two, three she managed to stand up, but with bound ankles and arms behind her, she fell down within a few seconds. Upstairs, Stacey was in pitch darkness and constantly pushing against the wardrobe door with no success. She wailed through her gag, thinking how else to get free. Lin naturally was suffering the worst, with her clothes and tights fully soaked with the pouring water. She too managed to get up but constantly slipped down and failed to pry open the shower door. The only gadget she had left was the skeleton key hairpin and that couldn’t pick cable ties.

Some run-down house

The stolen car slowed to a halt. “Think that garage door is locked, Chelle?” The now-kidnapper asked, then lowered his right hand and it rolled up and he drove in. “Now, no tricks while I exit.” Chelle’s mind was racing but just as she silently drew up a plan, the door on her side open. She expected him to cut away the tapes binding her ankles, instead she was ordered to hop inside.

Back at the Summers’ residence, Jenn managed to get out of the tub after scratching her hands, elbows and bum. She too couldn’t stand but managed to shift and crawl over. Expecting the door to be jammed, she pushed many times as best as she could and the door finally inched open. Kate spotted her and cried happily through her gag, indicating there were scissors in the drawer. Still bound, it took Jenn, with Kate’s back holding her legs before she could successfully open the drawer, feel for the scissors, then drop back down on the floor. Soon enough, both girls were free and Kate yelled, “Got to pee!” Jenn instead ran around, calling for the others.

Simultaneously, Chelle was now bound to a chair, her ankles and legs secured to the chair’s legs with loads of tape. Another round of tape secured her torso to the chair, her wrists now secured with cable ties but her arms were left dangling.

“Cheers,” the captor toasted a warm can of Heineken at her. “Oh, my manners,” he turned and yanked out a mineral water bottle. “You utter a scream, you don’t get a drink but another strike on the head, got it?” Chelle nodded and only received a large sip before he stuffed a cloth in her mouth and wrapped tape around again. I’ll get free, she thought.

Jenn found Stacey, whose dress was now out of place and tights laddered. Jenn shook away the hug as she was freed and shouted, “Where’s Lin?”

“I… parent’s room…bathroom!” With Stacey leading, the raced there and pulled the heavy chair away. Entering the bathroom, they found Lin just managing to exit the shower stall. Before they could attempt to undo her gag, the doorbell rang and Jenn ran back down, telling Stacey to free Lin. Jenn encountered Bethan and Hattie but in response to their ‘did we miss the party’ she cried back, “Call the police!” But they heard Kate mention she already did. As if on time, sirens blared and the familiar face of DI Nikki Heath entered. “Looks like you girls will be here for a while. Start your work,” she motioned to the FSIs or Forensic scene investigators officers as she drew out her notepad.

“Mmmp! Mmy I usmm the luu?” Chelle called three times before the captor turned. “Toilet? K, don’t you dare remove that nice gag. Two minutes.” He freed her and she found herself in a smelly toilet. She spotted a closed window high up, and quickly flushed the bowl and ran the tap. She managed to climb up but as she touched the window’s handle, the door burst open.

“I knew you would try that!” He held up a mobile phone with a blinking light. “Get down!” He pointed the gun at her.

The girls were let off after intensive questioning by DI Heath. Stacey was driven home in a police car but asked to be kept in touch. Mr and Mrs Summers were notified and the latter took the first train back while there was a police guard around their house, with Kate already falling asleep. Lin and Jenn’s parents forbade them from meeting at their detective meeting place but that didn’t stop the two from starting a WhatsApp group call, including Mark.

“Hey, sorry to hear what happened,” the rugby player announced. “I did some research, that guy’s not simply a bank robber but the security guard himself.” Mark shared pictures from the local news report and an enlarged picture of the guard with the name tag reading ‘Ken.’ Lin immediately tried to contact DI Heath but her number was engaged. “My parents want me to sleep early,” Jenn commented. “Convene tomorrow?” They agreed, with Mark naturally worried for his girlfriend.

Croonford Police CID Headquarters

“No, you silly, that was a stolen car with kidnapper with a kidnappee!” DI Heath shouted to the junior Police Constable (PC) who manned the cordon and let the vehicle pass. “Where’s the India 99?” She referred to the police helicopter. “It’s searching the area boss,” DC Bluebell Ransom answered. The phone rang and Ransom passed it over to her superior. “Heath, I know you’re pulled virtually all units on this case,” came the deep voice of Detective Chief Superintendent (DSU) Robert Gates, Nikki’s superior. “The kidnapper has moved way the Croonford region which you don’t cover. Call the helicopter back and let the other regions handle.”

“Sir, it’s a serious case and I’ve…”

“Do it Heath. Conduct your normal duties, Night.”

Seething, she turned to her colleague, “Call your boyfriend Ransom, we’re spending an all-nighter.”

The run-down house

“Hey you’re late,” Chelle, now lying hogtied with cable ties and tightly taped gagged with cloth in her mouth heard. The new person, a dark brown curly-haired man, around more than 185 or 186cm, entered.

“Not too late…well you brought more than your stated share,” Chelle heard the new voice.

“Couldn’t be helped… and some collateral will help us cross,” she heard the captor reply and looked up. He was now wearing a wig and a tight rubber face mask.

“Whatever, she’s your care. Let’s go.” Chelle, despite her struggles, was dragged and thrown into a van and cover on loads of blankets. She immediately smelt the foul stench of frozen fish, knowing what sort of vehicle she was in and kept in but continued to think how to escape.

Back at Croonford CID HQ, the two police detectives spent the night unofficially calling their colleagues across nearby Territorial Police Forces. “Hey Das, thanks, I’ll buy you a meal sometime.” DC Ransom terminated the call. “That was my old friend at the Midlands Force, Das Sharma. He got authorisation to get an India 99 up and this appeared,” she opened up a new tab on her screen with a two-minute video showing the stolen car travelling past the cordon south-west to a deserted area with only one residence in view.

“Great, alert your friend’s team to raid that residence, used armed officers; the guy has a firearm,” Ransom replied it was happened and the pair finally called a night.

As coincidences go, the team that approached the run-down house approached just after the disguised van left. In typical fashion, they covered all possible exits and the Operational Firearms Commander (OFC) yelled the usual ‘Armed police! Surrender!” An OFC has tactical command of the team of Authorised Firearms Officers (AFOs). He yelled those words three times before the team stormed in and then there was a loud explosion.

Detectives’ meeting place
The next morning

“Wow, this guy is an expert in explosives,” Lin commented as the teenagers read how the Midlands police officers were severely injured in the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) fitted to Mrs Summers’ car, using the petrol as part of the detonator source. “Or maybe he’s got an explosive-trained accomplice.”

“Uhm, more importantly, Chelle was not in that house when it detonated,” Jenn read the news report and Mark nodded, thankfully.

“Let’s see, this Ken is petrol as a generic disgruntled employee. He took not massive amounts of money but some from the cashier and locked deposit boxes. Those can be traced. He’s originally from, hey, Ireland. Maybe that’s where’s he’s headed.” Jenn regretfully stated her parents didn’t wish her to leave the town, leaving Lin and Mark to head down to that location.

Despite the bumpy ride and restraints she was kept in, Chelle managed to successfully shift and kick the nearest boxes. It took two tremendous kicks before the boxes pushed the back door open and fell out.

“What?!” the two goons in front brought the van to a halt and turned it to a side. “Shit,” Ken swore. “I thought you secure them.”

“Whatever, let’s get them back in.” Chelle waited until both men back were turn and slowly shifted herself on her bum out of the van. She thought she had managed to escape until two hands lifted her.

“Don’t you dare try!’ Ken shouted as she was literally thrown back inside.

“Told ya we need to dump her,” she heard the other guy call.

“When we cross the border.” The two men continue to argue with Ken made to sit and watch the bound and gagged captive.

Lin and Mark rented bicycles and cycled towards the bombed house. There was nothing unusual to spot until Mark spotting a shiny object.

“That’s Chelle’s watch!”

A police car coincidentally drove by and luckily the officer, a blonde female PC with the name tag S. Knowles stopped. “Charlie Four Six, update on the Summers abduction case, victim’s watch found on middle of Southwood Road.”

Inside the van, Ken and Chelle stared at each other before the former started boasting how easy it was to grab to money and safe deposit boxes and how he would escape any police. Chelle could only give now irate glares at him since the cloth stuffing soaked most of her saliva. Her hogtie had been removed but more tape was secured below and above her knees.

“Aw, don’t worry…”

“Coppers cordon! Shut up back there!” The yell came from the front and Ken dragged her face down on the even smellier floor, pressing the grip of his weapon against her, warning her not to make the slightest sound. Chelle now decided not to aggravate him further and listened as the other criminal sweet-talked with the police. Suddenly there was silence then the back doors were unlocked. Finally, they’ll check thoroughly, find me and I’ll be home. All of a sudden, there was a loud thud on the doors and two shots. “Couldn’t convince them, had to end it there,” the other criminal called as he re-started the engine. “Looks like a collateral is a good idea.” No, Chelle wailed.

“Status Zero…” PC Sarah Haynes heard on her radio as she drove Lin and Mark back to Croonford. “No!” She slammed the wheel. “That was my sister!” Status zero meant officer in life-threatening situation. She calmed down as she heard the radio say she was injured not killed. Lin immediately wanted her to turn around, however, the radio announcer mentioned cordons were tightened, with more air support searching for the vehicle since all police forces had a description of the van. “My people will handle, best for you two to stay home.” Lin wanted to further argue

The van was jolting wildly now off-road now something it was never built for. Chelle, the only one gagged gave continuous muffled cries as the van sped and turn wildly through the plains and into a wildly wooden area. Chelle thought it would be long ride until the car jerked to a stop.

“Freaking set of rocks!” The criminal cum driver swore and just as he wanted to exit, a series sirens blared and there was a loud shout, “Armed Police! You are surrounded! Do not harm the minor and drop all your weapons!”

The van doors flung open but the area was filled with anti-infrared smoke cutting the vision off the AFOs.

The lead commander swore. “TFC to SFC, heavy smoke obscuring subjects and victim. Unable to execute critical shot.” A critical shot in British policing ensured subjects were definitely incapacitated and prevented threat to civilian life. A SFC or Strategic Firearms Commander has overall strategic command of firearms operations, with responsibility and accountability for directions given. Lower down was a Tactical Firearms Commander who developed the strategy for AFOs to deploy.

The smoke actually dispersed faster than expected revealing Chelle held at gunpoint by the other captor, now really scared. She didn’t want to end her fourteenth birthday this way.

“Armed Police! Drop your weapons!” The call came but this was opposed as Ken emerged, his weapon also trained on Chelle.

“All AFOs, SFC, critical shot rescinded!” the urgent call came.

“You drop your guns or the girl gets it!” The second yelled, unflinching. The situation was definitely beyond tense until a squirrel crawled on Ken’s foot, causing him to cry out and discharge his weapon, the shot thankfully didn’t strike anyone. Chelle risked it and used both of her bound legs to kick her captor and more shots rang out, knocking out both thugs.

The lead TFC ran over, shouting the required, ‘shots fired’ in his radio, finding Ken wounded while the other was succumbing to his wounds. “Subjects down, victim freed” he further radioed as he undid Chelle’s gag and binding.

Epilogue:

“There’s the saying ‘saved by the bell,’ maybe now we should have ‘saved by the squirrel,” Lin laughed. The girls, along with Mark and Stacey had gathered at an eatery a week after whole events. The second criminal was revealed as Chris Longcross, a former member of an Organised Crime Group (OCG) who specialised with IEDs and weapons proliferations. Ken, full name Ken Danson, was remanded in custody but acquired a solicitor who put a remaindered fierce defence.

“Just risk and luck, part of all of our work,” Chelle said, smearing moisturiser over her sore wrists and cheeks.

“You detective work is definitely risky but sounds fun,” Stacey added, smearing lip balm on her cheeks. “Anyway, cut your cake, make a wish!” They were all carefully not to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in public and violate copyright laws.

“Wish for safer cases!” Jenn added and Chelle did wishing her dad would be home more often.

“Anything can happen in the future. Thankfully, I’ve got you lot,” she hugged them all, especially her boyfriend, not knowing they were being watched.

Michelle, Lin Ling, Jennifer and Mark will return in ‘Gone West.’

The End