He finally managed to press the nine buttons two or three times, he could not recall which, there was no need to bother for a voice instantly said.
“Emergency, which service please, police, fire, ambulance?”
“Police and ambulance”, blurted out Ted.
In the next instant another female voice but much deeper, came on the line.
“Police, is this life and death”? Said the police operator.
“Death”, it is death, your death,” shouted Ted.
“I beg your pardon you do appreciate who you are speaking to” Said the woman on the other end of the call and obviously agitated
Then demanded, “Give me your name?”
“”My name is Ted Salmon I am on the lay-by on the A41 at Broxton, there are two dead cops in a patrol car can’t you hear the bloody siren?”
Momentarily there was silence, then, a male voice came on
“This is Inspector Shannon, please repeat your message?”
Ted ever more trembling replied “I am parked with my meals van on the A41 in the large lay-by near Broxton there is a police patrol car parked here the lights are all on and the siren is sounding; both the cops inside are dead”.
“Keep calm Ted help is on its way. Stay at the scene, do not touch anything".
“Don’t worry there is no chance of that”.
“Chester control to Juliet X-ray 52 receiving over?"
“Juliet X-ray, receiving, go ahead. Over”.
“Juliet X-ray 52 code red, I repeat code red, A41 Broxton report of two officers found dead in patrol car, person reporting is Mr Ted Salmon, owner of a meals van, he is remaining at the scene. Ambulance is being called”.
“Juliet X-ray 52 to Chester control Red call received we are on our way, I seem to recall it was Bob Friday and Sid Upton covering that area”.
“Affirmative”, replied the control operator adding “I confirm there is no reply to calls to their vehicle, be sure to update immediately on arrival”.
“Will co”
“Ambulance emergency”.
“Ah yes, this is Inspector Shannon of the Cheshire Constabulary control room, we have a report that two of our officers are dead in a patrol car on the lay-by on the A41 road near Broxton. We have despatched a mobile would you please respond?” A code red, please.
“Hello, Sir I confirm a full response unit is being despatched as I speak”
The patrol car touching 90mph was only minutes before it reached the lay-by but it seemed an eternity to the two young officers Constables Joe Grimshaw and Alex Gilbert inside.
Both officers were out of the vehicle and reaching inside the patrol car on the lay-by and soon confirmed it was Bob Friday and Sid Upton and although they had, no medical qualifications save for the basic first aid certificate, it was clear both their colleagues were dead.
A further siren was now clearly heard and a look confirmed the word Paramedic Response Unit, which also came to an abrupt halt.
Joe switched off the siren and lights on the police car leaving the paramedics to do their work.
Alex meanwhile was calling in that they had arrived and informed control there was no sign of this Ted Salmon or his meals van.
“Inspector Shannon here, forget Salmon, update us as soon as the paramedics report, did you see any immediate sign of violence?”
“Sir, from Constable Grimshaw no sign of anything untoward looks as if they both just fell asleep”.
“Excuse me officer”. Said Jim Edwards, one of the paramedics
“To be frank, if there had not been two of them and they were not fit and healthy cops, I would swear they both died of a heart attack, certainly no immediate signs of foul play.
We will take them to the hospital mortuary if you wish, as they haven’t officially been certificated dead, we can still take them and get the hospital doctor to certify”.
“Control from Constable Grimshaw, ambulance medics have confirmed it appears no foul play, it will have to be checked out of course, they are offering to remove the bodies for certification at the hospital.”
“Inspector Shannon here, yes, let the ambulance crew take the officers to hospital you remain at the scene to await a scenes of crime photographer, just in case. I will also arrange for the vehicle to be sheeted and removed on a trailer, again just in case”.
“Will do”, replied officer Grimshaw, adding “What about Salmon?”
“Forget him, it’s in hand”.
Both officers stood by at the scene whilst their dead colleagues were removed by the ambulance crew, it would only be moments before scenes of crime arrived and the traffic department Land Rover and trailer, but it would seem hours.
“That bastard Salmon, leaving them”, said Joe.
“I am sure we will meet up with him before long, oh I don’t see Shannon leaving it at that”, replied Alex.
Speeding along the side roads deep into Cheshire Ted Salmon was wondering if his panic was the correct thing to do, after all he had given his name if not his address.
It was only moments when his wandering mind was brought to reality.
“Attention, attention you in the meals van, this is the police helicopter flying above you, pull into the side immediately”.
With that, before he could look up, Ted saw the helicopter hovering in front of him, then more or less instantly two men dressed in black jumped from it, in spite of his panic he could clearly see both officers were not only armed with what appeared to be rifles but they were pointing them at him”.
At any moment he anticipated the white round light flashing on his chest reminiscent of all those Hollywood movies he had seen, never thinking one day he would be the target.
He stopped and the next thing he heard
“Driver, leave your vehicle hold you hands in the air”
He did exactly, as he was told.
“Now walk four steps from your vehicle and lie face down on the floor, arms and legs spread apart.
He responded exactly as he was instructed thinking how foolish he had been driving off and how wise old Eric had been scampering away at once.
He didn’t have much time to ponder for in a moment there were two armed officers standing over him one with a rifle pointing at him and about 3 inches from his head, a boot on his neck.
The other officer was now placing handcuffs on his wrists both arms then unceremoniously forced them behind his back.
He was lifted and semi carried, dragged call it what you may to the waiting helicopter and unceremoniously thrown inside. He was sure he heard the pilot calling in.
“We got this bastard on board sir, bringing him in, who is the custody sergeant today?
“Tom Striker”, came the reply
“Ideal” was the reply to that.
“Who the hell, Tom Striker” was he had no idea, in moments they were airborne and his wonderings would soon be answered.
Arriving at the car park of Chester City Police Station the chopper came to a stop though its rota blades still continued to rotate at that the same steady pace and the whirling and wind almost blew Ted Salmon off his feet as he was unceremoniously assisted to the ground.
A uniformed sergeant arrived and took hold of Ted from the officer in the helicopter. The officers called out something, which Ted had not the slightest idea what it was, due to deafening noise and swirling wind.
It appeared to make little difference for in moment, the helicopter rose and was away and poor Ted still in a daze was ushered through various doors inside the building.
Interview room was the first thing he recalled seeing and once inside the Sergeant who so far had not spoken removed the handcuffs.
Ted could see the name badge “”Sergeant Striker, Custody Officer”.
“Sit there you bastard” were the first words Striker spoke. “You shit head” were the next.
“What have I done wrong?” Were Ted’s initial words, “Why have I been arrested?” his second.