Jack called the team together and informed them of the news, the warrant being the highlight of the past few days. Nathan was absent from the briefing, he scurried around the building searching for the relevant people that Jack needed on the task. He worked down the list given to him, marking off each name as he spoke to them. Jack prepared the team, informing them of the procedure they will undergo. The briefing room door opened and one by one the people on the list began to enter. Nathan closed the door behind him and found a place to sit.
‘Listen in. I’ll make this brief, time is short. Sargent Logan and myself are the command positions on this search, I don’t want a cluster of voices on the net when it’s going down. Our words of command are gospel, you listen….you do’ he paused for a slight intake of air.
‘The surveillance team are still in position, they will report any changes on the approach. I want a cordon to seal the area for a one hundred metre radius, no one comes in and no one goes out. Cordon control will be task team one, you know who you are. Under your command will be a twenty man patrol unit, use them at the barriers as a block, your team will not be required at the scene’ task team one nodded their confirmation on the instruction.
‘Team two will act as the Quick Reaction Force. You have a small team of five PC’s attached and will be the outer security for the building of interest. We are unsure of the current occupants state, if there are any people in the building they may be armed. Team three, you are assigned to assist Sargent Logan and the Armed Response Unit. We will be first into the building, stay behind Logan’s men whilst they secure the location, once satisfied we will begin the thorough search. You find anything at all that you may deem as evidence, then bag it and tag it for collection. Myself and Nathan will be on scene so no fuck ups. Ladies and gentlemen this is a huge break for the case, we could nail the bastard as long as things go to plan’ he scanned the room, no questions were fired back.
‘Grab your equipment and head to the relevant teams vehicles. Radio channels will be on seven, ensure you check your equipment before leaving this location…..we leave in thirty minutes’ still no questions.
‘Good…..get ready to move’ the class erupted with noise as the teams separated and moved to their assigned locations. Pete Logan met with Jack at the front of the room, Nathan joined them as the last of the teams left.
‘Good luck Jack’
‘Thanks Pete. I’ll ride with you in the truck, once my surveillance team have confirmed the status and we are in position, we’ll hit the place hard and fast. If you can, and there are personnel inside the building, try to keep them alive for questioning’
‘No problem, I’ll see you outside’ they shook hands and Pete departed to control his unit.
‘This is it mate’ Nathan braced his friends shoulder. Jack exhaled sharply, the nerves beginning to get the better of him.
‘Just another day mate……just another day!’
Lime read through the details before him. His eyes leapt from side to side as he absorbed the information. Firstly, Nathan’s personal file had appeared, hidden within one of Jack’s folders. It offered specific criteria and his current place of lodging. He scrolled down, bored by what he was seeing.
‘Where are you…..come on….’ He stopped suddenly as the details he wanted had appeared. The page was titled as Patient Psychological Assessment.
‘Bingo’ he smiled.
Chapter Sixteen
The static bellowed from the vehicle fit radio. Jack held the handset in a sweaty palm. The police van had been parked out of sight from the house, they sat patiently as the cordon team emplaced themselves. He began to fidget, tapping his thigh rapidly as he waited for the call. Nathan observed the Armed Response team as they sat in the rear. Their helmets pulled tight, the visors moved down to cover the face. They appeared larger with the bullet proof vests strapped to their torsos. Nathan tapped his vest with his knuckles; he felt the dull thud deep in the pit of his stomach.
‘Team One……Cordon in place, over’ the voice cackled from the speaker. Jack sat forward as the news alerted him.
‘Roger that Team One, out to you, Team Two send your sitrep, over’ silence…..
Seconds passed and the out of breathe voice whispered through the radio.
‘Team Two in position. I have eyes on to the perimeter, looks all clear, over’
‘Roger, wait out’
Jack removed the mobile phone from his pocket and searched the address book for the surveillance team. He selected call as their number was highlighted. It was answered quickly and the team confirmed no change to the situation. Jack prepared himself mentally.
‘All teams….stand by, stand by’ he turned to Logan who sat directly behind him. He was met by a slow nod of the head.
‘Okay boys, last checks’ Logan ordered and the team shuffled as they checked their personal equipment. Armed with MP5’s and Glock pistols, they confirmed their weapons were at the ready. Safety catches were applied and fitted magazines were removed to confirm they were loaded with the 9mm rounds. Nathan watched the men prepare for the battle, he felt as though they were going to war….he felt naked holding no weapon. The last man gave a thumb up and Logan tapped Jack’s shoulder, confirming their readiness. Heavy breathing filled the van, the sweat ran down their faces and accumulated around the neck. Nathan felt the drips snaking their way down his chest from his arm pits. The weather was mild and the snow still held its cool texture, but the heat in the van was unbearable; each man was eager to disembark the mobile oven.
‘All teams stand by….stand by…….GO GO GO, GO GO GO’ he had barely finished issuing the order when the man dismounted the van and ran along the brick wall that hand railed the house. They stopped and knelt in line by the iron gates. Jack and Nathan pushed up to the front where Pete had held the team. Pete pointed at the first four men and signalled them to move to the house and head around the back. They floated silently like ghosts, making sure to stay out of sight. The last man approached the wall and turned giving a thumb up.
‘Okay, Jack…..you ready?’ he asked from behind the transparent visor.
‘Let’s go’
They moved quickly to the front door, the last man held a large metal tool.
‘Hooligan in place’
The crowbar type object known as the Hooligan was inserted where the door meets the frame, he placed the large teeth just above the door handle. Pete Logan raised three fingers to the man holding the tool, his grip clamped tighter like a vice. He began the countdown, from three fingers to two…..to one…..he nodded. The crack shook the frame and wood splintered in all directions, the words GO, GO, GO rang in Nathans ears once again as they entered. The team at the rear of the house smashed their way into the kitchen, the hooligan destroyed the door. One by one the rooms were cleared and Jack stood with Nathan by the front door. They watched and admired the fluidity of the strike, the rooms checked and cleared in a smooth professional motion. The adrenalin surged through every man, the sweat pouring from their brows.
‘All clear….the house is all clear’ shouted Pete from the top floor.
‘All teams that’s an All Clear, I say again All Clear’ Jack repeated into the handheld radio. The task teams outside confirmed his last message as he walked through the building. There was no sign of life.
Nathan walked alone, the top floor being searched by the assigned team. Each room he entered was followed with a shake of the head. The individuals searched through wardrobes and cabinets, finding nothing or relevance to The Wolf. Jack stood in the living room, his fingers secretly crossed out of sight.