During their two-hour stake out of the restaurant, Katy had been organising her team from the car, receiving regular updates from Graham about the comings and goings at the warehouse. Charlie had reported that things were all quiet as far as Dan Williams was concerned, leading Katy to believe she may have done the man an injustice, thinking he was involved in the setup.
In between calls, Roberts was in regular contact with the commanding officer of the ART. Everything was in place and ready to rock and roll. Butterflies had taken flight in Katy’s stomach and were dive-bombing each other judging by the sensation she was feeling.
Anderton and Thatcham left the restaurant and entered the back of his limo.
“They seem all loved up,” she stated, bitterness entering her tone.
“Hard to think she’s a grieving widow, right?”
“Yeah, that part has never washed with me. She was too quick to accuse the other woman when I spoke to her about her husband’s death. Shame on her if she was in on it.”
“It definitely seems that way to me. She’ll get what’s coming to her, they all will. They can’t cause the disruption they have in this city and not expect to suffer the consequences.”
She nodded and slotted the car into gear as the limo set off. “Let’s hope we can pull this off tonight and nothing major goes wrong.”
“Have faith. If we were dealing with the bastards ourselves then I would have my doubts, knowing the weapons they have at their disposal. But having the backup we have in place should put our minds at ease when the time arises to swoop on the bastards.”
“I hope you’re right. I hate not being in control.”
“I don’t get it, you are in control. I haven’t taken over at all.”
She shrugged. “I wasn’t getting at you. I was referring to the response team. They’ll strip me of control once they get involved.”
“You just have to accept that, Katy. We’re not armed. These guys are the most dangerous we’ve come across in years, it’s the only way to deal with them, believe me.”
“I know, it’s me being silly, ignore me.”
They followed the limo through the lit streets of the capital out to the port.
“Are you ready for it all to kick off?” she asked Roberts.
“We’ll see. Hold back, we don’t want to alert them, and the traffic is thinning now we’re this far out.”
“Thanks for the advice. Maybe you hadn’t noticed the engine die down a little about two miles back.”
“Sarcastic bitch. I heard, I was merely pointing out the obvious.”
“You don’t say.” She faced him and grinned.
The limo slowed down and stopped in front of her.
She switched off her lights, pulled over and surveyed her surroundings. “I’m not liking this. Do you think they spotted us?”
“Who knows? Right, don’t panic. Let’s get things in place. You call Charlie and Graham, see if there’s any movement there, and I’ll get in touch with the commander.”
Katy made the calls, her gaze glued to the limo. The way it was sitting there made her jittery. Graham told her that there was no other news to add except that the Range Rover had left thirty minutes before. He’d already informed her of that detail, however.
Charlie sounded bored when she rang her. “Nothing. All the lights are on in his flat, he’s not stepped foot outside since he arrived home.”
“Okay, thanks. We’re at the port now, waiting on the ART to join us. The boss is organising that now. Hold fire and stay alert. I’ve got a strange feeling about this that I just can’t put my finger on.”
“I hear you,” Charlie replied. “Stay safe.”
“You, too. Don’t worry about us. I’m in safe hands with the boss nearby.” She ended the call and grinned at Sean.
He sniggered. “You reckon.”
Just then the door flew open, and Sean was dragged from the car. Katy scrabbled for her phone but dropped it in her haste before she, too, was wrenched out of the driver’s seat. They were both marched by two of Anderton’s henchmen towards the limo. Katy glanced over her shoulder and spotted the Range Rover sitting behind her car off to the left. She’d taken her eye off the ball, distracted by the phone calls she’d made. Checking in with the damn team had allowed the bastards to sneak up on her.
Roberts grunted ahead of her as the bloke manhandling him punched him in the gut and leaned in to issue a threat.
“Leave him alone, you bastard,” she shouted, engaging her mouth before her damn brain.
The goon holding her arm jabbed her in the solar plexus. She doubled over and groaned.
“Now are you gonna keep your mouth shut?” her assailant demanded.
She stood upright, summoning up her courage and strength and narrowed her eyes at the thug. “Screw you.”
He swiped her face, sending her head ricocheting first off to the left and then the right. “Mouth shut, bitch, or you’ll get more of the same. We don’t hold back just ’cos you’re a cop. If anything, we’ll treat you worse, so my advice would be to button it.”
Shit! I’d better do as he says. Fuck, where are the team? They should be here by now.
Her gaze darted around the area, discreetly searching for any sign. Over to the right she sensed movement, but nothing came of it. They were within spitting distance of the limo now. The driver left his seat and opened the back door. A smug-looking Anderton emerged and glared at them.
“Well, well, well, what do we have here? Two nosy officers of the law. What do you know, guys? Maybe we can have some fun with them before…”
Thankfully, Roberts remained quiet, as did Katy. Her thoughts were with her team, willing them to come to their rescue. A sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach told her the odds were against her, and she couldn’t help wondering what Anderton had meant by
