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Chapter 12

Chris had just collected her change when she heard the shots. She looked at where she thought they came from and saw Sam on the floor. She ran over to her, saw the blood and screamed.

In the security control room, the shooting was seen on a cctv monitor. The controller pressed a button and spoke into a microphone, “All units, shooting outside M & S east entrance. I repeat shooting outside M & S east entrance. Instigate plan delta.” He then pressed another button and dialled triple nine.

In a British Telecom operator centre an alarm went off, an operator stopped what she was doing, pressed a button and said, “Emergency, which service do you require?”

“Ambulance and police.”

“Putting you through.”

The controller heard ring tone followed by, “Ambulance.”

“This is Westbourne shopping centre, we have had a shooting outside the east entrance of M & S. Security is attending and one person appears injured. We are using rendezvous point 2.”

“Ambulance is on the way.”

The ambulance controller looked at her board, pressed the ‘press to talk’ switch and said, “Units eight one one and two three, shooting at Westbourne shopping centre. Rendezvous point 2 is to be used. We have one casualty.”

“Eight one one attending.”

“Two three on route.”

Back in the security control room the operator had put the call through to the police where the same message had been passed.

In the police control room the radio operator spoke into her mike, “All units, all units, shooting at Westbourne shopping centre outside M & S. ARU three and six, Inspector five eta please?”

“ARU three, two minutes.”

“Thank you ARU three.”

“Inspector five, four minutes.”

“Thank you Inspector five.”

“ARU six, three minutes.”

“Thank you ARU six.”

“All units, RVP2 will be used and Inspector five will assume operational control when on site.”

ARU’s were the armed response units and were dispatched to any shooting.

Back at the shopping centre Chris took her phone out of her bag and hit a speed dial number. The security guards had assured her that the emergency services were on the way and one was working on Sam trying to keep her alive.

“Steve Broadfield.”

“Steve, Chris. Sam’s been shot and Gina is missing.”

“Shit, how’s Sam?”

“Bad. She’s losing a lot of blood.”

“Where are you?”

“Westbourne shopping centre.”

“Well the only hospital with an emergency department is the General so I’ll meet you there and Chris; Sam will make it.”

Steve pressed the red button on his mobile and then hit one of his speed dial numbers.

“Wilkinson.”

“Clive, Steve.”

“Hi Steve.”

“Sam has been shot at Westbourne shopping centre, Chris sounds almost hysterical and Gina is missing.”

“Bugger. Make sure Sam gets the best. I’ll light a fire and Steve, keep me informed.”

Clive then consulted the phone book on his mobile and hit the dial button.

“Cunningham”

“Charles, Clive Wilkinson. How are you? Looking forward to Sunday?”

“Clive, I’m fine and yes, I’m looking forward to beating you at golf.”

“That will be the day. Charles, I have a problem and I need your help. A very, very close friend of mine has just been shot at Westbourne shopping centre and a child in her care is missing. I’d like you to assign one of your best people to oversee the case.”

“Just been shot you say. You don’t waste time. Okay, I’ll make sure the case gets the best person available.”

“Thanks Charles and Clive hung up.

Charles Cunningham, Chief Constable, pressed the intercom button and said, “Jean, get me DCI Waters on the phone immediately.”

Two minutes later the phone on his desk rung.

“Cunningham.”

“DCI Waters, Sir.”

“Waters, there’s just been a shooting at Westbourne and a child is missing. I want you to handle the case.”

“Yes sir.”

“Keep me informed and Waters, the victim is a very, very close friend of a very, very important person.”

“I understand, sir.”

Detective Chief Inspector Josephine Waters depressed the switchooks on the phone and dialled a number.

“Come on, come on…Gene, Jo. We’ve just been handed a special by the Chief.”

“A special?”

“A shooting and a disappearance.”

“What’s special about those?”

“Someone who knows the victim knows the Chief and we’ve been handed the case. Get the team together and get someone over to meet me at the General. I want you and the team to go to the Westbourne shopping centre. I’ll contact ops to get the info.”

“Will do.”

DCI Waters repeated the action on the phone and dialled the operations room.

“This is DCI Waters; there’s been a shooting at Westbourne. I’ve been handed the case by the Chief and I’d like to know what’s happening?”

“We have two ARU’s, an inspector and seven other units on scene, ma’am.”

“Has the ambulance left yet?”

“No, ma'am. They are still stabilising the victim.”

“This is to be treated as a level four incident and I want that ambulance escorted and nothing allowed to get in its way.”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Do we know anything about the missing child?”

“Missing child?”

“There is also a missing child. I want Soco down there and I have a team on route.”

“Yes ma’am.”

The ops controller spoke into his radio, “Control to Inspector five, urgent over.”

“Inspector five, go ahead control.”

“Inspector five, this has been elevated to a level four incident, DCI Waters has taken charge and her team are on route. There appears to be a missing child and the ambulance is to be escorted to hospital with a rolling block preceding it, over.”

“Control, understood. I’ll need at least four solos for the rolling road block and I’ll instigate a search for the missing child. Over.”

“Inspector five all understood. Control out.”

“Control to all solo units in sectors three, five and six. All available solo units in those sectors to contact Inspector five for ambulance escort duties.”

Meanwhile back at Westbourne, Sam was being stabilised so that she would survive the ten minute journey to the General.

“Two three to control,” the paramedic said.

“Control go ahead two three.”

“Control, patient has three gunshot wounds, two in the chest and one in the groin. We are still trying to stabilise her and will be transporting her to the General as soon as we can. Please advise the General that she will need immediate surgery and has lost a lot of blood.”

“Two three, General has been notified and they advise that theatre is on standby. Do you require helilift?”

“Negative control, casualty is too unstable for helilift.”

“Understood two three. What is your eta?”

“Control, about ten minutes when we leave, but it’ll take us at least another five or ten minutes to make sure she will survive the journey. We’ve managed to stop the main blood loss, but it’s only temporary. Two three out.”

“Acknowledged. Control out.”

Ten minutes later Sam was placed in the back of an ambulance and, with sirens screaming and motorcycles providing the rolling road block, it left the Westbourne preceded by a police car. A second police car carrying a sobbing Chris closely followed the ambulance. Along the route police officers and cars had blocked major intersections making the job of the solo units that much easier. The leading police car kept the control room informed of their progress.

At the hospital, Sam was rushed straight into theatre and Chris was met by Steve.

“You alright?” Steve asked.

“Oh Steve, it was horrible. I’m sure Sam’s going to die.”

“No she’s not. I’ve got the best surgeon around here doing the operation. She’s tough, she’ll pull through.”

“I hope so, Steve. I just don’t know what I’d do without her.”

“Excuse me miss, sir. DCI Waters. Can I have a word?”

“How can we help you?” Steve answered.

We’ve pulled the surveillance tapes from the shopping centre and it seems that once the shooter had shot Miss Wright, he took the child with him. I’m having the face of the shooter checked so that we can identify him. Now what is your relationship with the victim?”

“Steve Broadfield, Sam’s business partner,” Steve answered.

“And I am Sam’s wife Chris,” Chris added.

“Ah, and what about the missing child?”

“His name is George Mead and he is on the at risk register. We are looking after him,” Chris answered

“At risk register?” DCI Waters asked.

“He was abused by his step father,” Steve added.

DCI Waters phone rang and she answered the call.

“Waters… Good. The missing child is George Mead and he’s on the at risk register and with what you’ve just told me then we have a serious problem. Issue a Red Alert, step up the search, use all resources and alert all ports and agencies, finding that boy is top priority.”

“I don’t like the sound of that,” Steve said once DCI Waters had ended the call.

“Call me Jo. It appears that Sam’s attacker was the boys step father, Jeffry Foakes.”

“Oh my god,” Chris exclaimed.

“Jo, do you mind if I get some help in the search?” Steve asked.

“As long as they stay out of our way,” Jo answered.

Steve called Two Jays.

“Juliet, Sam’s been shot and George is missing.”

“Dear god, is Sam alright?”

“She’s in theatre at present, but it looks like George has been abducted by his step father, one Jeffry Foakes. I want you to coordinate a search alongside the police. Make it your number one priority.”

“Will do Steve and let us know how Sam’s getting on.”

DCI Waters left to coordinate the search for George whilst Steve and Chris settled down to a long wait.

A couple of hours later a doctor came looking for them.

“How’s Sam doing, Doctor?” Chris asked.

“Holding her own at present. However, we have a problem. One of the bullets has damaged one of her testicles and penis. We have had to remove the testicle and we now need to decide what to do now.”

“How bad is the penis damaged?” Chris asked.

“Very bad. It’s been almost severed near the base and is only attached by a small portion of skin and a lot of it is missing. It was fortunate that she was wearing that device as it restricted blood loss. We are unable to reattach the penis and that means that normal function would be impossible. The only real solution is to complete her reassignment surgery.”

“Sam never really wanted to do that, but if that is the only solution?” Chris questioned.

“Realistically, it is. As I’ve said, the bullet has destroyed some of her penis and that means that it would be impossible to perform as a male. Although, given her appearance, that may not have been her main priority.”

“It wasn’t, but she wasn’t truly transgendered.”

“Well I would recommend that we complete the surgery as it would be easier to live as a full woman than have a mutilated genital.”

“Okay go ahead and give Sam a vagina,” Chris said after a few minutes thought.

“But make sure the surgery is performed by the best. Cost is no problem,” Steve added.

The surgeon headed back to the theatre and Chris started to cry. Steve comforted her as best he could.

Steve excused himself and went to update Clive.

“The bastard’s shot Sam’s penis off and has got Gina. Two Jays and the police are looking for both of them.”

“Poor Sam, how is she doing?”

“Don’t know, she’s still in surgery.”

“Let me know the minute she’s out.”

“Will do.”

Steve hung up and went back to Chris.

Chapter 13

It was a further six hours before a nurse came over to them.

“Miss Wright is out of surgery and is on her way to ICU.”

“How is she?” Chris asked.

“Touch and go. The next twenty four to forty eight hours will be critical.”

“But she’s going to make it?” Chris asked.

“Hopefully.”

“Hopefully,” Chris repeated and started to cry.

“Follow me and I’ll take you to ICU.”

They followed the nurse. Besides Sam there were two other patients. All the tubes and wires coming out of Sam frightened Chris. There were two nurses fusing over Sam.

In the room where Chris and Steve were waiting were chairs and a table and had a window looking into the unit. Chris had collapsed into a chair and was quietly sobbing. One of the nurses came into the room and was talking with Steve. She was talking for about two minutes when an alarm went off. She dashed back into the unit.

“Crash team to ICU code blue,” a nurse shouted into an intercom.

The monitor connected to Sam was showing that she was flat lining. One nurse was administering CPR. The crash team burst into the room and grabbed the defibrillator.

“Charging to one hundred joules,” a technician called.

The machine beeped.

“Clear,” called the doctor as he placed the pads on Sam’s chest and pressed the trigger. Sam’s body convulsed, but she continued to flat line.

“Charging.”

Another beep.

“Clear.”

Another jolt and another convulsion. Flat line.

“Two hundred joules,” the doctored said.

“Charging to two hundred joules.”

Beep said the machine.

“Clear.”

Another jolt and another convulsion. Flat line.

“Come on Sam, I’m not going to let you go again,” a nurse said.

“Go to four hundred joules,” the doctor said.

“Charging to four hundred joules.”

Beep.

“Clear.”

A bigger jolt and a bigger convulsion.

“We’ve got a pulse.”

“Come on Sam.”

“Pulse is getting stronger.”

“Don’t you dare do that to me again young man or I will be very pissed. You and I are going to have a long talk when you come round,” the nurse said.

“Sister, I’ve never seen you get so involved before. What’s different with this one?” the doctor asked.

“Sam’s my long lost brother,” Sister Wright answered.

“I’m sorry,” the doctor said.

“Thanks.”

Sister Wright turned to a nurse. “Stella, look after this one, he’s special. I’m going to talk to his friends.”

The Sister entered the viewing room.

“What happened?” Chris asked.

“His heart stopped, we got it going again. What is your relationship with the patient?”

“I’m her wife,” Chris answered.

“Wife?”

“Yes, we’ve been married for over ten years and I don’t want to lose her,” Chris added.

“Neither do I,” Sister Wright said.

“Sorry?” Chris asked.

“I don’t want to lose Sam again. You see I’m his sister.”

“But didn’t you reject her all those years ago?” Chris asked.

“No, I was at medical school and when I got home I found that Sam had left home and disappeared. It was mainly our father who rejected him.”

“But what about all the publicity over Peter five years ago?”

“I was working in Edinburgh at the time; I only recently came back here. Our father has died and I wanted to be near mother.”

“I’m sorry about your father,” Chris said.

“Don’t be, I never forgave him for throwing my brother out, that’s why I went to Edinburgh. Well I can’t call Sam my brother any more. How did you meet him, what’s he been doing all these years?”

“Look, call me Chris; since we’re sisters in law, and that’s Steve Broadfield, he works with us.”

“Charlotte.”

“Well Charlotte, it’s a long story.”

“If it’s a long story I’d better hear it after my shift finishes. I need to get back to Sam and the other patients. You staying here?”

“I’m not leaving Sam until I know she’s okay,” Chris answered.

“Okay Chris and don’t worry, he’s…sorry she’s in good hands.”

“Still doesn’t stop me worrying though,” Chris said as Charlotte left the room.

“Chris, do you mind if I get back, I need to make sure Gina is found,” Steve asked.

“No Steve, I’ll be okay.”

Steve leaves Chris alone and heads back home.

Charlotte goes to the nurses station, picks up a phone and dials a number from memory. After a few rings it is answered.

“Mom, I’ve found Sam…No mom, he’s not okay, he’s in ICU. He’s been shot… No you stay there, I’ll be home in an hour and I’ll be bringing someone. See you later.”

The next thirty minutes until Charlotte’s shift ends passes uneventfully and she hands over to her relief.

“Debbie, the patient in bed four is a special case. He’s my brother. He’s had one heart failure during surgery and another on the ward. Keep a very close eye on him and call me if anything changes,” Charlotte said.

“Your brother. Okay, we’ll keep a close eye on him.”

Debbie looks at bed four, “I thought you said the patient in bed four is your brother?”

“He is.”

“But she’s a woman.”

“He is now.”

“Ah. Anyway, see you tomorrow.”

Charlotte enters the waiting room and goes over to Chris.

“Chris, I’ve finished for the night and I’ve made sure that Sam will be looked after. Now I want you to come home with me.”

“No, I’m staying here,” Chris answered.

“Chris, there is nothing you can do and I live five minutes away and there is someone I want you to meet.”

“I’m staying here.”

“No you are not. You will not be helping Sam and all you will do is make yourself ill. Now be sensible and come with me. The team are under strict instructions to call me if anything changes. I understand that you want to be near him, I would, but you have to be realistic.”

“Sod realistic, that’s my husband in there. She could die, she’s already died once, I’m not leaving her.”

“Chris, he’s my long lost brother and I’ve found him again after twelve years. I don’t want to leave him in the state he’s in, but I’m also a nurse and I know that if I stay here then my health could deteriorate because I know I will probably not get enough sleep or nourishment. I will not allow you to become a patient as well.”

“Chris, how’s Sam?” Tracey asked as she entered the room.

“Oh Trace, she’s in a bad way, she’s going to die, I know it.”

“He is not going to die, I’ve already told you that,” Charlotte said.

“What’s the prognosis, sister?” Tracey asked.

“And you are?” Charlotte asked.

“Dr. Tracey Neuman. I’m Chris and Sam’s doctor.”

“Well doctor, he was shot three times, two ended up in the chest cavity and the third destroyed a testicle and his penis. One of the chest bullets nicked a major artery and lodged very close to the heart. He has suffered severe blood loss, one lung was hit and his genitalia were damaged beyond repair, but other than that no other major organs were severely damaged. They have completed his SRS. During his surgery his heart stopped. It stopped again on the ward. If he gets through the next forty eight hours then the prognosis is good.” Charlotte said.

“Thank you sister,” Tracey replied.

“Now can you convince Chris to accompany me home?”

Tracey looked at Chris and said, “I’ll stay here tonight, you go and have a rest. Grab a bath, if anything happens, I’ll call you.”

“You promise?”

“I promise Chris.”

“Who do you want me to meet, Charlotte?”

“Our mother.”

“Didn’t she throw Sam out?”

“She was upset and didn’t understand what was going on with Sam, but it was Dad that threw Sam out. Dad was a military man and had a very narrow range of normality. Now are you going to come quietly or do I have to drag you.”

“I don’t want to leave…”

“Chris!”

“Okay, okay. As long as we can get back if anything happens.”

“We will.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be here looking after Sam.”

Chapter 14

Chris followed Charlotte to her car and collapsed into the front passenger seat. True to her word, the drive was only five minutes. Charlotte led Chris into the house.

“Mom, we’re home,” Charlotte called.

Kettle’s on and I’m in the living room,” a soft voice called.

Chris followed Charlotte into the living room.

“How’s Sam?”

“In a bad way, he was shot three times, has undergone eight hours of surgery and had two heart failures. He’s holding his own, just, and is being cared for by the best. Debbie is under strict instructions to call me anything happens. If he gets through the night then his chances of survival get better.”

“Take me back.”

“Sorry?” Charlotte asked.

“I said take me back. You make it sound like Sam’s going to die tonight and I don’t want to be separated from her.”

“Sam is not going to die tonight.”

“You said ‘if she gets through the night’ that sounds to me like you expect her to die,” Chris was close to hysteria.

“Chris, I’m being realistic. Sam may die, there is a small chance of that, but it’s small and Debbie knows that I will be very upset with her if that happens on her watch. Also, Sam wouldn’t dare do that to me.”

“Charlotte?”

“Oh sorry mom. Mom, this is Chris, Sam’s wife. Chris, this is Angela, our mother.”

“Sam’s married and I never knew. Tell me, are there any children?”

“No, we haven’t got kids. Sam is unable to have any. Her testies don’t produce sperm or testosterone.”

“I’m so sorry, but you keep referring to Sam as she.”

“That’s because she is a she. Even more so now. We’ve been living as lesbian lovers for ten years, ever since we got married. She is the sweetest, beautifullest, most caring person I have ever met and now I’m going to lose her.”

“Chris, listen to me. Sam is not going to die. I have told him that if he does, he is in big trouble. And he doesn’t get me angry anymore. Not since the first time he did and I swacked him,” Charlotte stated forcefully. “Now, mom, the kettle’s whistling and I want to hear Chris’s story over a nice cup of tea.”

Ten minutes later, after taking a sip of her tea, Chris began her story.

“You have to remember that this is how I remember it and it is only Sam’s side. I worked for the Samaritans and I took a call from a person who was threatening to kill himself. It was Sam.”

Angela gasped and had a look of horror on her face.

“I managed to talk her out of it, met her and took her to our office where she told me her tale. She told me of her need to dress in female clothes and that she had been doing so from the age of ten. How she use to model himself on you Charlotte and how she saved your cast offs from being thrown away.”

Charlotte was nodding.

“She told me of being discovered and that her father called her a faggot and that she disgusted him and that you, Angela, looked like you had just been told of her son’s death in a road accident.”

“Gerald was always the moral one. He was of Scottish decent and had a Presbyterian upbringing which made him intolerant of anything out of the norm. I was shocked to see Sam wearing women’s clothes and I suppose that I did feel that part of what I loved about Sam had died,” Angela injected.

“Anyway, Sam said that she left the next morning and that was the last she saw of any of you. She also said that she lost her job and her friends and ended up living in her car.”

“That would have been Gerald’s doing. He must have told people of what he’d seen.”

“Sam lasted about six or eight months before she reached rock bottom and decided to end it all. Just before she committed the act, she called us and that’s where I came onto the scene. I don’t know what it was about her, I mean she looked a real mess with her unkempt hair, dirty face and torn clothes, but I really liked her and after I took her home and cleaned her up, well…”

Chris paused, took another sip of tea and continued.

“She stayed at my place and I got her checked out the next morning. It seems she was incapable of testosterone production and, although we didn’t find out till later, was sterile. Her brain sex was biased more female than male, but she wasn’t transgendered. She just liked looking like a woman. We fell in love and were married. Sam began hormone replacement therapy and lived and worked as a woman. You know, she has the most gorgeous blonde hair…”

Chris began to cry at this point.

After a few minutes, Chris pulled herself together and continued, “I’m sorry. We worked together at the Samaritans and, about five or so years ago she took a call from a fourteen year old boy who, like Sam had years before, was threatening to kill himself. It seems that Peter, the boy, had a twin sister and that they used to dress up as sisters. His sister died suddenly and he took over her personality. Sam and I got him calmed down, but we had to hand him over to Social Services where he was forgotten and later found dead. Sam lost it when she found out. She had a breakdown and was in therapy for months. You know she still visits his grave.”

Angela was quietly sobbing and Charlotte was only just holding back the tears.

“We found that Sam needed to help people and so we planned to run a foster home for problem kids like Peter. We both have had some training and were just about to open the home when we met Clive Wilkinson, the multi-billionaire. He told us about his brother and that he wanted to back us. It was whilst we were at the meeting with Clive that we found out about George. Clive took us to our workplace where we found that George had been the subject of physical and sexual abuse.”

“Dear God,” Angela said.

“George became the first member of our foster home and everything was going well until today when Sam was shot by George’s abuser. That is a potted history of the last ten years.”

“Chris, you probably believe that I should have disobeyed my husband and kept in touch with Sam, but the truth is that Gerald moved us abroad almost immediately. He was in the armed forces and arranged a posting overseas. Charlotte told him in no uncertain terms what she thought of him and that she would never speak to him again.”

“And I didn’t. I kept in touch with mum though.”

“A year ago Gerald died and I returned here and asked Charlotte to keep me company and see if we could find Sam. I was overjoyed when she called to say she had found him, but then she told me he had been shot and I became concerned. I hope I have a chance to speak with him.”

“I think both of you had better start using the correct pronoun. Sam is a woman. She’s your sister Charlotte and your daughter Angela. She used to be my husband, but I don’t know what she is now.”

Charlotte disappeared and Chris finished off her tea, Angela seemed wrapped up in her own thoughts.

“Sam is still okay and has improved slightly. Now I suggest we all go to bed and I’ll take both of you to visit Sam tomorrow. Chris, I’ve got a few things that may fit you.” Charlotte said, re-entering the room.

Chapter 15

Chris had an awful night, not getting any refreshment from her sleep. Charlotte woke her up and, after finding some clothes that fitted and breakfast, a relieved Chris arrived back at the hospital.

“Tracey, how is she?” Chris asked.

“Better. She’s a lot more stable than yesterday.”

“Thanks for being here. This is Angela, Sam’s mother,” Chris said.

“Hello Angela, nice to meet you. I’m Tracey, Chris and Sam’s doctor and friend.”

“I’m glad Sam has good friends,” Angela replied.

“Both Chris and Sam are well liked by everyone that know them,” Tracey said.

Charlotte walked into the room and said, “Sam has had a comfortable night and her condition has improved.

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to get some sleep. I’ll see you later Chris,” Tracey said as she left the room.

Charlotte went about her duties and Angela kept Chris company.

Around midday Clive and Steve came in, both of them hugged Chris.

“Steve, Clive nice to see you. This is Angela, Sam’s mother,” Chris said.

“Angela. Chris any change in Sam?” Clive asks.

“She’s improving slowly. Any news on George?”

“Nothing as yet, but everyone’s looking,” Steve said.

“I take it you ladies haven’t eaten yet?” Clive asked.

Both Chris and Angela shook their heads.

“Angela, how about you and I getting some food. I’d really like to know where Sam gets her caring side from,” Clive said and then added. “Sandwiches okay?”

It wasn’t long after Clive and Angela had left that Steve’s pager went off. He looked at the message.

“Chris, I’ve got to make a phone call.”

After five minutes Steve came back into the room and knocked on the window. Once Charlotte looked at him, he motioned her to come in.

“Sam is improving, Steve,” Charlotte said when she entered.

“Charlotte that’s not what I wanted to ask you. There’s a patient in Ward 2C name of Linda Foakes. She’s George’s mother and I wonder if I could ask you for a couple of favours?”

“If it’s in my power.”

“Can you find out why she’s in hospital and if you could arrange for me to have a quick word. It’s important, she may know where George is being hidden.”

Charlotte went back into ICU and checked on a computer terminal. She was back in very quick time.

“She’s been severely beaten up and if you want I will take to the ward and introduce you.”

They left Chris alone for half an hour, by which time Clive and Angela had returned.

“I’ve got a couple of addresses where George may be hidden. I’ve told Two Jays and they will keep the places under surveillance and they will let the police know if they find anything,” Steve said.

“That’s good news,” Clive said.

“Also George’s mother is here. I think we ought to do something for her, she’s been hard done by,” Steve added.

“Get her back to the hall when she’s ready to be released,” Clive said.

“Thanks Clive,” Chris said.

“What for?”

“Being nice.”

“Grab a sandwich everyone,” Angela interrupted.

The rest of the day passed without incident. Sam’s condition improved and Clive took Angela home. Charlotte took Chris to get some clothes and then they went home.

Chapter 16

Over the next two days Sam’s condition slowly improved. Chris was happier at the news and was getting close to both Angela and Charlotte. Both of them kept Chris occupied at night and during the day either Angela, when she wasn’t with Clive, or Steve kept Chris company.

It was on the third day when Steve burst into the room. He’d just called Two Jays in answer to a page he had received.

“Chris, We may have found George,” Steve said.

“Really?”

“Yes, the police are going to do a dawn raid tomorrow.”

“Why tomorrow?”

“Foakes used a gun and the police want to be careful.”

Back at Police headquarters DCI Waters was meeting with the Chief Constable.

“Jeffry Foakes has been found, but we don’t know whether the child is there. I would like the firearms team to do a dig out tomorrow.”

“Good idea,” the chief picked up a phone, dialled a number then spoke, “Warren, my office now please.”

Assistant Chief Constable Warren Jones entered the room a few minutes later.

“Warren, DCI Waters needs the firearms team tomorrow morning. I’ll let her brief you, but this is a very high profile case and nothing must be allowed to go wrong,” the Chief Constable said.

“Yes sir.”

Meanwhile Clive was on the phone.

“Gerald, I’d like you to have your best paediatric team on standby tomorrow morning. Also I’d like a surgical team ready. I would like them to be at the hospital from two in the morning.”

“Any reason why?”

“This is to go no farther. A child in our care was kidnapped recently. That may change soon and as he was abused and may have been again I would like to have a team ready in case he needs it.”

“No problems Clive, I’ve have a team ready for you.”

“Thanks Gerald, just send me the bill.”

“Will do.”

Clive was a little happier, Tracey and Sally would be on hand if George was found and a hospital would be ready. He hoped that George wasn’t too badly injured.

By midday DCI Waters was briefing the firearms team.

“As far as we know there are two adults at the property and one of them may be armed. A weapon has been used by one of the adults. There is also an abused child that may also be in the house. The first priority is to take the adults into custody and make the site safe, the second is to locate the child. Drs Neuman and Stone will be accompanying us and if the child is found then he is to be handed to the doctors who will take him to the Alexandria. Gene you are responsible for the location and transportation of the child.”

“I’ll have a traffic car standing by,” Gene answered.

ACC Jones added, “Gentlemen, this is a very high profile job. There is a very important person involved so I’d like to reiterate that no shots are to be fired unless absolutely necessary. Do I make myself clear?”

The team all answered, “Yes sir.”

“We will all arrive here at midnight for a final briefing and the dig out will be at zero two hundred,” Jo Waters added. “Any questions?... See you at midnight.”

All through the afternoon preparations continued to be made for the dig out. Staff at the Alexandria were told about being required on site. Tracey and Sally grabbed some sleep whilst Two Jays kept the address under surveillance.

Chapter 17

Midnight arrived and Tracey and Sally were at the briefing.

“The firearms team will go in first, when they are happy that the site is secure the search team goes in. Drs Neuman and Stone will stay in the car until the child is found and will accompany him to the hospital. Oscar two three will be used to get them to the Alexandria.” DCI Waters turned to the traffic cops and added, “Make it quick and safe.”

She then continued, “ACC Jones has already spoken to the firearms team and my team know how high profile this is. I will reiterate that there can be no mistakes and the doctors are here to help and to ensure that the child sees someone he knows and trusts. Any questions?”

There were none.

“Everyone check their gear, we leave at one thirty.”

At the appointed time the convoy left the police station and arrived at the address. With a final equipment check and everyone in position, the firearms team effected entrance to the property.

The front door crashed open and an officer shouted “Armed police.”

The premises were quickly secured with two suspects taken into custody. The search team went about their task and George was found tethered in a garden shed. Tracey was quickly fetched and was horrified to see fresh bruises. George was barely conscious and she asked an officer to get him to the car. She pulled out her mobile and called Clive.

“We’ve found him, but he needs urgent attention. Tell the team we are on our way and get them ready.”

“No problem Tracey. Everything is ready.”

Oscar two three followed the DCI’s instructions in getting to the Alexandria as fast and as safely as possible and Tracey thanked the driver for his efforts. The car was met at the hospital entrance and George rushed inside.

“Girls, I’ve arranged a room for you to get some sleep. Thank you for tonight,” Clive said to them in the hospital lobby.

“Anything for George and thanks for the room. Nice to see you again Angela,” Tracey said.

“As my daughter cannot be here, I see it as my duty to both her and her obligations to be here in her place,” Angela said.

“I can see where Sam gets her caring side from,” Sally added.

“They are both remarkable women,” Clive said. Tracey looked at Sally and they both smiled.

The news about George wasn’t good, but the he was being cared for and had begun the healing process. It was agreed that Sally would continue as his shrink and Tracey would oversee the physical healing.

Chapter 18

The ringing awoke Charlotte with a start.

“What’s up? That’s great, we’ll be there in fifteen.”

Charlotte jumped out of bed and ran to Chris’s room shouting as she ran.

“Chris, Chris, wake up. Sam’s regained consciousness. We’ve got to go.”

Chris sat bolt upright, pulled herself together and also jumped out of bed. She dressed in record time and was at the front door waiting for Charlotte.

“Come on Charlotte, where are you?”

“Keep your knickers on dear, you ring mom and let her know.”

Chris rang Angela whilst Charlotte drove and gave her the news.