“Dad, I don’t want you climbing out of the window! Why have you got to go?” Emily says upset, her voice cracking. I fear she will turn hysterical and lose us time.
“He hasn’t, Emily, I’m going to go,” Dan says quickly. “No arguments, Boss.”
“Okay. mate, thanks.”
Putting the holdall down and unzipping it, I take out the small-sized body armour for Emily and a fresh one for me, which I put on deliberately for everyone to see. Emily gives me a quizzical look.
“There are enough body armours here for everyone, and everyone needs to put one on, no exceptions. Anyone not wearing their armour or not wearing it the correct way will be left behind. I will not repeat this, so do it now. I’ve got a special small one for you, Emily. Stan, can you sort everyone else out, please, while I help Emily? And can you get the backpack from the kitchen for me, for us to take?”
Emily soon has her armour on. It is still way too big for her, but it will do. “You look like a soldier now,” I joke to her. “Now you stay with Stacey while I go with Dan to help him get out of the window, is that alright?”
“Yes, Dad, as long as you don’t go out there.”
“I won’t, sweetie,” I tell her and kiss the top of her head.
“Ready, Dan?”
“Yep; let’s go.”
“Catherine, can you help us for a minute please?” I need to tell her something.
I grab my M4 and the three of us go through to Sir Malcolm’s office, as Dan goes straight over to the windows looking for the best climbing position.
“Dan, hold on a minute; I need to talk to you too, quickly.”
Dan comes over and Catherine turns to look at me.
“I need to ask you both a big favour. I’m not coming with you to the safe area, I’m going to find Josh and I need you two to look after Emily for me until I get back. Will you do that for me?”
“Are you completely mad?” Catherine snaps at me. “Don’t you mean if you get back and that’s a big if! He could be anywhere. He is almost certainly right in the middle of this hell and I’m sorry to say it Andy, but that is…if he is even still alive!”
“I know the dangers, Catherine, and the odds. But he is my son and I’ve got to try and find him, it’s as simple as that. Now we haven’t got time to argue this; the decision is made, so will you look after Emily for me, or not? She is going to be extremely upset when I go?”
Catherine’s face calms. “You know I will, Andy, but it should be you looking after her. I’m not paid to be a glorified babysitter.” I pick up the irritation in her voice but thank her anyway, as if I didn’t hear her caustic words.
“What’s your plan?” Dan asks.
“When the first helicopter leaves with you all, instead of getting the safe, I’ll commandeer the second. Get the pilot out and take it to find Josh. So, after ten minutes you need to tell your pilot to turn around and pick up the other pilot.”
“Sounds like a good plan, I’m in,” Dan says. I do love this guy.
“No, Dan. This isn’t on you; it’s my call and I can’t put you in that kind of danger because of me, and that is final.”
“Boss.”
“No, Dan,” I insist. “Now we are running out of time, let’s get moving.”
We soon find the best route for Dan to climb; it should be quite straightforward taking into account he will be free-climbing eight floors up, including the ground floor. Catherine goes back out to the others, shutting the door behind her, off to warn them that there’ll be some gunfire and explosions when we break through, so they don’t worry too much.
“Once you’re satisfied it’s secure up there, let me know and I’ll blow a hole through. A grenade should do the trick. Oh, and make sure you stand back.”
“Thanks, Boss, I’ll make sure,” he laughs.
We both move back from the window that Dan is going to climb out of, and I aim my rifle into the corner of the glass and shoot. The corner is the most effective point to break a window’s glass as it doesn’t flex as much as in the middle. The first shot shatters the glass completely, but it doesn’t fall out. We go over and as Dan crashes the butt of his rifle through the shattered glass, it caves outwards, falling like rain down onto to the ground below. Air breezes onto our faces and the smell of burning and smoke is strong from the numerous fires gripping the city.
“Be careful out there, Dan. Check your footing.”
Okay, I’ve got this. I’ll be on the radio ASAP, Boss.”
Dan then climbs out, his M4 on his back. And I have complete confidence and no doubt that I will be hearing from him in no time.
As soon as he is out, I get on top of the sideboard that contains the safe and start ripping down the suspended ceiling directly above the safe in preparation for breaching through to the roof with the grenade. Thankfully, there are no surprises above the suspended ceiling, and I find it clear apart from a few wires. And while the ceiling above looks solid, it won’t be a match for the grenade. There is a recess between the wall and the ceiling which will be an ideal place for me to put the grenade once I’ve pulled the pin. I’m just waiting for Dan to give me the go ahead. I can’t see him now so that can’t be far off.
I jump back down and go pick up the body
