Tested by Fire by David Costa (the little red hen read aloud TXT) 📗

one hundred per cent, but at the most they’ll be confused. Mobile coverage has been closed down with no signals going in or out. If they do try to run, we’ll be ready for them.’

The Prime Minister stood and shook the hand of both men.

‘Thank you, gentlemen, I hope our next meeting sees the end of this. If you’ll excuse me, I have meetings to get to. I’ll also be briefing them regarding the operation in Irlam and the upcoming one here, under the strict embargo that they’re sworn to secrecy until it’s over.’

Bryant and Fraser shared the lift down to the foyer.

‘You have my mobile number, Sir Ian. Keep me informed every step of the way. I’ll be here in the hotel holding meetings with the police, and members of the Intelligence Committee and Cobra to update them on your progress.’

Sir Ian Fraser left by the rear entrance to the hotel. His driver spotted him and pulled up at the door. Sir Ian got into the rear seat behind his bodyguard sitting in the front passenger seat. Sir Ian always thought it less dangerous to him if he got into the car himself instead of someone having to hold the door open for him.

‘Take me to the hanger at Irlam please.’

No more needed saying. He phoned Jim Broad and told him he was on his way.

Reece and Steve Harrison had arrived at the hotel a few minutes after 6 a.m. Mike was waiting in the reception area and smiled when she saw Reece come through the door.

‘Ready?’ asked Reece.

‘As always,’ she replied.

Reece was pleased that she’d dressed sensibly for the day, dark blue jeans, black trainers, and a blue hooded top with a white coloured blouse underneath. Reece thought no matter what she wore, she always looked beautiful.

‘Steve is outside in the car. We will have to go near the apartments to keep up a surveillance presence for the minute. Are you OK with that?’

‘Yes, no problem, let’s go.’

By the time they got back to the Square, the troop assault on the house had started. Reece waited in the car with Mary and Harrison. From the little they could hear over the communications with the hanger, they knew that there had been deaths at the Irlam house. Reece knew not to radio the hanger or phone Jim Broad. There would be no answer while they were busy with the ongoing assault operation.

He waited in silence with the others until his phone buzzed with a call coming in from Broad. Reece listened without comment as Broad brought him up to date with the operation in Irlam.

‘Where are you now?’ Broad asked when he’d finished.

‘We’re waiting for the caretaker to arrive with eyes on the building as we speak.’

‘Great, I’ll try to get Middleton’s people there after we’ve debriefed them.’

‘Thanks, let me know when they’re on their way. What about the police cordon?’

‘I’ve spoken to our friend Mr Lockwood personally. He’s been told from on high to give us any support we ask for. I know they have the equivalent of SO19 uniform police trained in building assaults, but I’ve told him we have enough people of our own to deal with this, so no mistakes, David.’

‘No pressure there then. We have it covered for now and with any troop backup well covered. I just hope you can keep a tight blackout on the Irlam operation until at least 8 a.m. and we get the chance to speak to the caretaker and identify exactly where these people are in the building.’

‘That’s just over an hour away so I hope we can keep the lid on it until then. GCHQ are keeping all Internet and mobile phone communications closed down in the area until eight at least. They will also be doing the same around the apartment once you find out where they are.’

‘Any name for the caretaker yet?’ Reece asked.

‘Oh, yes, I forgot to say, it’s Kevin Williams. He lives in Salford but has been out at a party all night not known where not answering his phones.’

‘No problem, we’ll keep an eye out for him, will let you know when he’s here.’

 

 

Chapter Sixty-three

Inside apartment C12, in the Great Northern Tower block, all three terrorists had been up for about an hour. Coffee had been made in the pot twice and the conversation had gone over the plans for the day. The clock on the wall said it was 7.45 a.m. There was no TV, but the radio was tuned into Radio Manchester and the usual traffic report stated the usual traffic jams around the approaches to Manchester City Centre on a working weekday morning. Mohammad was dressed in his suit and getting ready to leave for the Conference after the eight o’clock news.

They had gone over the plan for the day a number of times. Mohammad would go to the Conference then, at around 9 a.m. make his way to the Midland Hotel and from inside hopefully give a heads up to Costello that the target was on his way to the rear exit. Lyndsey laid out the plan of attack at the same time as the attack would be going down, she would be sitting in the van in the NCP car park ready to move to the front of the Great Northern Tower to pick up Costello. All would then get out of the area in the confusion when Imtaz and Waheed detonated their bombs.

Costello had looked through the scope of the rifle three times already since the light had improved. He could easily pick out people walking between the hotel and the main Conference building. It was still too early for the delegates, so they had to be Party workers or security. There was little or no wind and as the light became stronger, he had