Special Unit- The Mean Streets of London: Chapter 1

[Silent Hunter]

Tuesday 15 July 2008, 0600

The heatwave showed clear signs of breaking. All the weather forecasts were for a thunderstorm at some point that day.

The morning news broadcasts focussed on the murders in Barking and Brick Lane. The Mayor had said that tourists should not be put off visiting London and used his statement to lambaste the Government for not being tough on knife crime.

At 0615, a text message arrived in the phones of all of Special Unit Bravo. It was from DCI Nelson.

Morning. Rashid's skipped town. Last sighting was at Paddington station, heading on a train for Bath. Have contacted the locals.

A second message arrived in Gainsbourg and Tattershall's phones from DCI Carlton.

Fancy a trip to Kiev? Tell me when you get in. Alex.

Everyone got the third at 0810.

Special Unit Bravo- Priority Message. IC3 male, 16, severely beaten up by IC1 males, early 20s. at West Ham Station on way to school. Racially motivated. In hospital, currently unfit to talk.

That meant that a black teenager had been attacked by a white gang. Things were getting more serious.

[Voshkod]

Tattershall

0615. The first message came in. With a semiconscious swipe, Ian knocked the phone to the floor, along with a tumbler of booze, which shattered. His arm pawed at the empty side of the bed for a moment and with a sigh he went back to sleep.

0710. The phone buzzed again as Ian showered, a long hot shower, burning away the booze and the late night. At least in part.

0810. The phone buzzed a third time and Tattershall, choking on a piece of toast, walked over, stepping on a shard from the tumbler. With a monumental string of curses, he sat on the bed, blood pouring from the arch of his foot. He began to review his messages.

Give them the man on a plate, and they lose him. Should have gone to get him myself.

Reply to Nelson: Pity. Airports and ferries on the watch?

Kiev. What a hellhole.

Reply to Carlton: If ordered.

A thin smile. Reply to third message: On the way.

He wrapped his foot in a washcloth, got dressed, shoved his feet in his shoes and went out into the city for West Ham Station.