Condemned, R.C. Bridgestock [most romantic novels TXT] 📗

‘Not available; we will have to work with what we have,’ said Tim.

Steve nodded.

Silence was once again observed.

‘Targets now approaching temporary traffic lights at location of intercept. Targets now approaching temporary traffic lights at location of intercept. Targets slowing down as they approach red light, targets slowing down at red light.’

Charley found it difficult not being inside one of the pursuit cars with visible contact, but she knew from the radio commentary exactly what was happening. She found herself holding her breath. It was almost time to act.

The commentary started again, almost immediately.

‘Target not stopping at red light. Repeat target not stopping at red light. They have continued through the red light. We are in pursuit.’

The distance through the traffic lights was short, but the route took a right-hand bend which resulted in the drivers not being able to see what was ahead of them.

‘Strike! Strike!’ ordered Steve.

Armed response vehicles now sped forwards at both sides of the traffic lights, blocking the road in front and behind the target’s vehicle.

‘The bike has broadsided. The bike has broadsided!’ The engine could be heard revving.

‘Armed challenges now being made.’

‘Armed police! You on the motorbike, turn off the engine and step off the machine!’

‘They’re not thinking they can escape, are they?’ asked Charley.

More police units were now in position, physically blocking any possible exit.

The challenges were still being made and getting no response.

‘Target is still revving engine. A passenger has dismounted, taking steps away from the bike. Passenger now kneeling on one knee.’ The running commentary continued.

‘Put your hands above your head,’ came the shout loud and clear, along with the continuous instructions to the rider to turn off the engine.

‘Passenger not complying. Handgun produced, held in both hands, rested on knee. Three shots fired!’ was the relay, as came the noise of the weapon being discharged.

Chapter 35

The police returned the gunfire, and the shooter slumped to the ground. As still as a snake, watchful and unseeing at the same time, Charley prayed.

‘One target neutralised,’ were the next impassive words by the commentator.

The passenger lay motionless, spread-eagled on the tarmac. The police had blocked the rider’s path in both directions as their shouted warnings went unheeded.

‘Rider, turn off the engine, and dismount with your hands above your head,’ was the command from the armed officers, as they moved forwards from the cover of their vehicles.

‘The rider remains on the bike, revving the engine, looking for a way out,’ said the observer.

Within a fraction of a second, Charley heard the motorbike’s high-revving engine.

‘Rider attempting to go off-road. Off-road police rider in pursuit.’

The Kawasaki engine reached its peak, Charley could hear, and she could sense the power of it.

Charley could feel, not see, the bike in mid-air, the wheels spinning. The engine was noisily whining, as the rider instinctively throttled back. She closed her eyes and cringed, imagining the inevitable impact on the turf.

The commentator gave an immediate update, with his controlled breaths coming in short, sharp gasps. ‘Target has lost control!’ he cried. ‘Now he’s off the bike in a ditch, motionless.’

Armed officers pointed their weapons directly at the body that was face down in the dirt, twisted in pain.

‘Target two neutralised. First aid to both suspects, paramedics required immediately. Weapon of suspect secured.’

Emergency life-saving treatment was quickly given to the shooter, while the team were waiting for the paramedics. ‘Two bullets to the chest, one to the cheek. Person confirmed as the female partner,’ reported the observer.

‘That’ll do,’ Tim said out loud, as he readjusted his sitting position.

Meanwhile, the other suspect, who was identified as Brad Dixon, was quickly hoisted to his feet and arrested, his sore and bloodied hands handcuffed together behind his back. The bike, rocking and thrusting on the ground, was finally silenced.

The sound of the paramedics’ siren could be heard, wailing louder and louder, as the ambulance approached the scene, from the nearby service-station car park, where they had been waiting on standby, for the call to move forward.

Within minutes of their arrival, they had pronounced Brittany Dixon dead at the scene.

The silence in the command vehicle was broken as it also moved at speed.

Tim Watson’s face was grave. ‘Have you had many dealings with the Independent Office for Police Conduct, because I suspect that’s where this case is going.’

Charley nodded. ‘I worked in the Met for a few years, and was involved in several incidents that were referred to the IOPC, as the police watchdog.’

‘Everything was being videoed and recorded, so my main concern is that we allowed three shots to be fired before the target was neutralised, that could have been three dead police officers… thankfully none were hurt, but everything will come out in the debrief,’ Tim said.

An investigation, on top of an investigation was not something Charley looked forward to, but the positive side was that the incident was in the domain of the North Yorkshire Police, which meant that it was one less investigation that she would have to take charge of, leaving her to continue with the murder investigation. It was an excellent piece of police work, and the inevitable confrontation was one that was always around the corner for violent assailants such as the Dixons.

The door of Enterprise was opened, and Charley could hear voices coming from outside, all demanding attention from the command team. Just then the uniformed duty inspector pulled up alongside in a marked car; he was the person with whom it was her job to liaise. He was the officer who would ensure the road was kept closed in both directions and that the scene was preserved whilst a homicide investigation commenced, but Charley knew already that the outcome would be a lawful killing. She felt for the officers who had discharged their weapons. Whilst the team constantly practiced for armed confrontations like this, they never wanted to have to use firearms.

‘The on-duty Assistant Chief Constables from both forces have been informed of the fatal shooting,’ he told Charley. ‘Professional Standards