by Roger Rapel
Braxton shouted ‘right last run through, time is getting close,’ he then reiterated the plan and emphasised ‘any sniff of the old bill then we abort, everyone understand?’ There was an agreement; he then said ‘the signal for old bill is right hand straight up in the air full stretch you all understand.’ The consensus was ‘yes.’ Then they all put their hands in the middle one on top of the other as Braxton said ‘okay let’s do it.’ They all put overalls on got into the white transit and made their way to the bank, waiting at the bottom of the main street.
Chris had given his briefing at 6 am; ‘Okay listen up, this is a hurry up job, so here goes. We have with us a firearms team who will be deployed in our cars, there job is to take out the bad guys so don’t you be getting in their way especially if they try and take out the security vehicle elsewhere.’ He then gave out the briefing and the locations, he also warned about the guy dressed in drag pushing a pram, emphasising there was no better cover than a woman pushing a pram, so be mindful he/she will be searching the streets looking for the old bill, so keep your eyes open for her, I mean him; which caused a ripple of laughter. ‘Okay guys get ready for the off, happy hunting, and remember to act on my command to strike and get the firearms team in close. Right lets go.’
The firearms team then loaded and holstered there weapons and then joined the squad guys.
That was it the clock was ticking; so a quick round of bacon sandwiches and on the road. The eyeball of the bank was from an office block overlooking the bank. The venetian blinds gave good cover. Firearms op manned the location with one of the crime squad guys as they waited. They were supplied coffee by the office staff who had been given some cock and bull story about a team of fraudsters who were in town hitting banks with fraudulent cheque books and cards.
The clock ticked towards 10.15 when the pram pushing villain turned up and walked up and down, with no one taking a blind bit of notice. As it neared to 10.30 he stood outside of the bank. Just then the Security van began making its way towards the bank with the transit a couple of cars behind. Chris had been giving a commentary to Jim on the surveillance and the location of the transit. This was heart thumping time as the security van got closer the adrenalin pumped more sending the senses into hyper mode.
The security van pulled up outside of the bank as the passenger got out and took the trolley out from the rear, then through the side serving hatch as the cases of money were removed and piled onto the trolley where they were secured with chains interlocking each one to the body of the trolley, then the guard began to pull the trolley towards the bank entrance.
Braxton was watching this and as soon as the guard had finished chaining the cases he was out of the tranny with the sawn off under his coat, he was making ground on the guard from behind when Graham pulled out his sawn off from the pram and rammed it under the guards chin, at the same time Braxton let rip with a couple of rounds from his pump action. This caused mayhem amongst shoppers who scattered everywhere; this caused problems with the tranny as it was hampered by shoppers as were the crime squad vehicles trying to get in close. Then all of a sudden an off duty copper came out of the bank; seeing the mayhem he waded in and was shot by Braxton at near on point blank range. The officer saw the flash and heard the bang which deafened him, fortunately the officer had pushed the weapon away as the trigger was pulled; the shot glanced off his clothing hitting the wall of the bank. The firearms team had a sniper on the roof who took out Braxton and Sexton with two quick shots, both dead within two clicks of each other.
The transit was boxed in by the squad cars as the firearms team surrounded it; the remainder of those in the tranny came out with hands in the air having seen Braxton and Sexton shot and the overwhelming firepower. The firearms team took over making the arrests and making safe the weapons found in the transit.
The off duty officer was seriously hurt, but fortunate for him it had been a cold sharp frosty morning; he was wearing a thick Barbour coat with a quilt lined fleece underneath. The cartridges that Braxton had used were number 8 shot, the type used in clay pigeon shooting, although still deadly, they didn’t pack the same punch as number 4 or 5 shot would have done; having said that he was still badly injured and was rushed to hospital.
The news reached Jim and Langton at HQ’s where they were waiting with baited breath, Langton having received the news contacted ACC Ops. Who came down to Langton’s office where he obtained a full debrief or as much as he could. They both concurred that no one could not have foreseen an off duty officer being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The press were going to have a field day, with headlines; ‘bungled police operation places members of the public at risk.’ Therefore he called the force press officer in to try to reduce the impact by releasing a statement saying ‘that in the highest traditions of the British Police, an off duty officer being confronted with the scene of an armed robbery as he exited the bank had tried to intervene and had been shot, fortunately not fatally. His family have been informed and we will be supporting them during this tragic time. Due to the lethal force used by the criminals the police had no option, but to shoot two of them which is sad, as they both died at the scene; three other criminals were arrested at the scene without injury or any more shots being fired.’ Ops asked the press officer to release the statement.
Braxton’s wife Carol arrived at Malaga airport and was met by her friend Julie who was crying as they hugged at the arrivals gate. ‘What’s wrong with you Julie, I haven’t been away that long.’ Then Carol saw the tears were not tears of joy as she put her hand to her mouth, as she said ‘oh no!’ Julie nodded ‘The old bill have shot two armed robbers and just named Colin as one of the dead.’ Carol just sank to her knees and cried. Julie helped her to her car then drove the journey to Carols home. The journey was difficult due to Carol crying and becoming at times hysterical. They arrived at the villa. Julie unlocked the gates, then entered and opened the doors and windows to air the villa.
Carol said ‘you know Colin mentioned that this was his last job and he wouldn’t go back inside again; oh my god, I think I’ll sell the house in the UK and move out here in the sun.’ ‘Come on out, it’s lovely here Carol, we can have good times again.’ Carol said ‘call me later or perhaps tomorrow, ta, ta for now’ Julie then left, as Carol busied herself, starting the BMW and dropping the roof. Then went out for groceries and came back and went to bed crying herself to sleep.
Langton got Jim to organise a car around to the off duty officer’s home to take his wife to hospital and arranged with a policewoman to get the kids from school.
Joey was sat in the bar of the Blind Beggar drinking coffee, listening to the radio. The landlord Mickey was doing normal bar work replenishing shelves, and washing glasses. Then all of a sudden there was an announcement on the local radio ‘we bring you a news flash, there has been an armed robbery in the High Street outside of Barclay’s bank, an off duty police officer has been severely injured and two of the armed robbers have been shot dead by the police. The police appear to have been waiting for the robbery to take place. We will bring you more when we know it.’ Joey said ‘Fucking hell Mickey that has got to be Colin.’ ‘Fuck me you better get a move on, what are you supposed to do?’ ‘Nothing I’ve done it all although I better move the change-over motor, or just leave it, no fuck it I’ll leave it, it’s clean anyway.’ They chatted for a while then Joey left getting a cab to the lock up to get his car. Once collected he called Jim. ‘Hi Jim I heard on the news, fuck me that wasn’t supposed to happen was it?’ ‘No mate; can’t talk at the moment just keep your head down there will be people looking for the snout.’ ‘Okay the change-over tranny is at the lorry park.’ ‘I will be in touch in a couple of weeks; cheers Joey, remember keep your head down.’
The three villains from the tranny were taken to Central Police station and interviewed, although as anticipated, it was a no comment interview.
Jim knowing the change-over vehicle was at the lorry park. He went to a news agents
without any CCTV and bought a local map he put on a pair of plastic gloves opened it up whilst sat in his car. He marked the High Street outside of Barclays bank with a red X, then a blue X with Graham on it. He said to him-self ‘fucking got you, you bastards.’ He then nipped up to the lorry park and made sure no one was about, he found the key, using his gloves he opened the door and slid the map onto the passenger seat; he left the transit unlocked with the key under the sun visor. He then went to the café and had a cup of coffee. He used the payphone and called the police station saying he was a lorry driver; reporting a transit was parked in the lorry park, it was in the way, it had been there all day, he declined his name, but he knew the switch board would record the phone number confirming its location.
He sat down and finished his coffee, then drove back to HQ’s. He spoke with Langton and discussed the interview and how the Central Station CID had done a good job albeit as anticipated they had to contend with no comment interviews, which had only hampered them a little; it was quite a clear-cut an open and shut case; as they had found tickets to Malaga in Braxton’s house. Langton nodded as he opened his bottom drawer. He poured a couple of fingers in each glass, then chinked them together, Jim then said ‘what were the chances of an off duty copper being there at the time the robbery went down. Have you heard how he is?’ ‘Fucking bad luck, it was good job it was cold and he pushed the sawn off away as it went off, his clothes deflected the worst. The last I heard was he was out of any serious danger but had serious wounds.’ Jim raised his glass in recognition. The phone in Langton’s office rang he answered and said ‘okay thanks.’ He then said to Jim ‘they have discovered a suspected change-over vehicle in the lorry park near the motorway intersection and discovered a map in it which had the high street bank marked on it, that’s a bit careless,’ he looked at Jim as he smiled. ‘The map has been taken to Central CID and van for fingerprinting.’ Jim smiled as he said ‘that’s the icing on the cake then.’
The case was presented at crown court some months later where guilty pleas were entered as the evidence was overwhelming. The sentences reflected the guilty pleas with the judge handing down 10 years a piece stating if the pleas had been not guilty he would have handed down far heavier terms of imprisonment.
The injured officer recovered although he bore the scars; he was eventually fit for duty. He was thankful for his luck and although not religious, thanked god for looking after him.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
The murder and rape cases were opened with the dock full of the accused. Vicky sat next to the CPS representative behind the prosecuting QC, once the pleas of guilt had been received. The prosecuting QC gave a very eloquent opening speech, then he gave in detail the circumstances of each person’s involvement in the offences outlined. Each defendant had their own QC who attempted to give a mitigating speech for each of their clients. The judge in his red robes and wig which showed the signs of many years of wear sat looking over the top his half-moon glasses as he made notes nodding to the QC’s to continue once he had finished recording each note.
The speeches over, the judge looked at the defendants as the clerk said to those in the dock ‘stand.’ The stern face of the judge as he looked at each white faced defendant who were all shaking anticipating what was coming, they all knew it was imprisonment, and also knew it was going to be for a long time as well.
Stuart Small you are an evil depraved man and the sentence I give you will reflect the seriousness; conspiracy to murder all the victims you are sentenced to life imprisonment on each count, conspiracy to rape 15 years on each count, false imprisonment 5 years imprisonment all to run concurrently. Smalls face dropped as he shook his head.
Lynda Small, for your involvement in this sordid affair, you are sentenced; conspiracy to murder, life imprisonment on each count, for rape and conspiracy to rape 10 years on each count, sexual assault 2 years on each count, all to run concurrently. He then gave similar sentences to the others, leaving Prentice till last; he then lashed into him for bringing the profession into disrepute and sentenced him for conspiracy to murder to life imprisonment on each count with a minimum time to be served 18 years, rape 15 years and conspiracy to rape on each count 15 years to run concurrently. He then boomed take them down out of my sight. Lynda Small had to be helped down as she was almost feinting, as were the other two women.
Vicky thanked the QC and the CPS representative who were complimentary of the way the case had been handled and put together.
Vicky called Jim and gave him the result as she could hardly contain herself. ‘Okay Nags Head tonight Vic?’ ‘Too right Jim; what a great result.’
Jim informed Langton of the result, who was equally as pleased as he said ‘Vicky is a good girl she did a good job.’ ‘She has a lot of potential; we are in Nags Head later, you coming.’ Langton checked his diary and said ‘Can’t stop long have an important meeting tomorrow, but yes be there for just after 6.’ Jim nodded as he punched the air. Then said to himself ‘I Just want Sumner now.’
Jim called Jackie, ‘hey babe’s great result today, you coming for a beer at Nags Head later?’ ‘Yes could do with a couple beers, I’ll go home first and get a cab, then we can cab it home then I can drop you off in the morning to pick your car up.’ ‘Great see you there later.’
Jim walked into the Nags Head, just before 6, Langton and Vicky were already there deep in conversation. Vicky could hardly contain herself as she punched the air. Langton said ‘I have just been talking with Vicky, I need someone else to work alongside you especially when you get called away; I think I can pursued the Chief to get Vicky on the team, what do you think?’ ‘Magic that would be great; what about Central do you think they will let her go?’ ‘Just leave that to me.’ The old team from Central began to drift in, this was going to be a heavy night; the beer was flowing well. Then Jackie arrived to raucous shouts as she kissed Jim.
Jackie and Vicky chatted together with girl talk as Jim was downing his beer the whole pub was alive with banter, jibes and laughter. Langton had slipped away not before slipping Jim fifty quid to buy a round for the lads.
Jim woke up in the morning with a banging head; his mouth was like the bottom of a budgie cage. He looked at Jackie who was equally as spaced out. He got up and went to bathroom and looked in the mirror trying to focus on the image looking back at him. God you look rough Broadbent he said to himself as he dragged himself into the shower. The water cascaded onto his head as he looked up letting the warmth pound his face. Once finished he began to wake up. He then cleaned the condensation from the mirror and shaved, he saw the reflection behind him of Jackie rubbing her hair as she walked into the bathroom ‘fuck you Broadbent don’t you ever invite me to one of those nights again, you arsehole.’ She sat on the toilet with her head in her hands moaning. Jim finished shaving and splashed on his after shave, then turned the shower on and guided Jackie in sliding the glass door closed. He dressed and put some bread in the toaster and made coffee. Jackie came into the kitchen with her turban and dressing gown on. She was getting there, although Jim knew from old, to say nothing till she had a coffee. She had such a vipers tongue in morning until awake, even more so, when suffering from the night before.
Slowly like a blotting paper absorbing liquid the colour was rising in her face, then as if the lights had been switched on she spoke ‘oh Jim I feel rough, I’ve never drunk that much for a long time I can’t take those nights anymore.’ ‘I know babes I feel the same, we have been away from those nights for so long.’ ‘What’s this I her from Vicky you want her on your team?’ ‘Not my idea Jack, Langton’s, she did such a good job, he wants her to work for him so when I’m not there she can carry on the work.’ ‘Makes sense but, don’t you go trying to get in her knickers?’ ‘Not my type Jack, anyway I haven enough on my plate with you.’ ‘Yes you do, and don’t you forget it.’ They ate more toast then looked at their watches and double timed in getting ready. Jackie dropped Jim off at the Nags Head to collect his car then he
went to HQ’s.
Langton was not at his desk so he cracked on with his paperwork he still had a jackhammer in his head pounding so hard it hurt. He went to see Langton’s secretary. ‘Oh Jim; rough night was it? No dict. from you today then?’ As she smiled; ‘have you got an Aspirin or similar for a thumping head?’ She opened her drawer and handed him a couple of tablets saying ‘they are extra strength; it looks like you need a lie down somewhere?’ She jibed at him knowing for the moment she had the upper hand. Jim smiled as he thanked her then took the tablets. It took about twenty minutes to work but, slowly they started to kick in.
Langton arrived at midday and said ‘you look rough.’ ‘You should have seen me earlier.’ ‘Okay I think I have got the go-ahead for Vicky, I should know by tomorrow.’ Jim nodded as he drank more coffee.
The day dragged on he was just about to go home when his phone went he saw the display it was Yvonne. He was going to ignore it, but had to answer. ‘Hi Jim I need to debrief you on your last job I can now tell you the truth, and get you to carry on where you left off.’ ‘What when?’ ‘Next week in Birmingham again, I will let you know for sure, probably Wednesday.’ Jim thought fuck me not again. But she is such a good fuck and really very grateful too.
Jim got home to the sight of Jackie bopping as usual in the kitchen wearing one of his shirts as he crept up behind her lifting the shirt tail, patting her bum, she had heard him, but played along pretending she hadn’t. He then slid his hands under the shirt cupping her free flowing breasts in each hand. She pushed her head back as he kissed her throat then breathed warm air into her ear, pursing his lips as he blew gently so his breath tumbled deeply, as his warmth excited her inner ear stimulating the sensitive nerve endings, sending signals rushing to her brain, which caused sensations to race down her spine to her vagina. She sighed deeply feeling herself moisten as she moaned softly as his hands roamed over her body. He knew all the right places to excite her inner feelings. This was heaven for Jackie she was a sexual animal; Jim brought out the beast in her and she loved it. Jackie turned the dinner down then circled around and looked into his eyes, then kissed him deeply, as she licked his ear and said ‘take me now, anywhere just take me.’ She unzipped his trousers releasing him as she walked him backwards to the bedroom where they indulged in their favourite sexual preferences. Jim lay back panting and said ‘wow babes that was good you were ready willing and able,’ he laughed as she smiled and looked at him ‘no complaints this side either.’