Hidden in Plain Sight (Detective William Warwick 2)

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“In view of MM’s latest revelations,” said the Hawk when he chaired the next team meeting, “the commissioner has given us the green light. We can call on any resources within the Met’s remit, and we’ve even got a realistic budget. However, there’s one proviso.”

“There always is,” said Lamont.

“The commissioner insists that our priority is to catch Rashidi and his inner circle, while at the same time securing enough evidence to put them away until they’re old men. Simply closing down his drug factory and catching a few runners, even dealers, won’t be enough. Rashidi’s well capable of just walking away and opening up in another part of town within weeks, possibly days. He’s probably got a second factory already set up for just that purpose. Bring me up to date, DS Warwick, on where we are with the investigation.”

“DC Adaja and I have been working on the ground in Brixton for the past few weeks,” said William.

“That would explain why you’re both unshaven and look as if you’ve been dragged through a hedge backward.”

“Got to blend in with the locals,” said Paul.

“Not only have we confirmed the block where the slaughter is situated,” said William, “but thanks to MM’s detailed intel—and by the way, I apologize forever doubting him, sir, because if Jackie and I had arrested him and Tulip in Felixstowe, we’d still be picking up the pieces and—”

The commander waved a hand. “Let’s get on with the here and now, DS Warwick, and forget the past.” He winked at Jackie, before William continued. “I’ve visited a couple of local estate agents to find out if I can rent a flat in Block A, so I could come and go without raising suspicion. But it’s not possible, because it turns out that the building is registered in the name of a shell company, probably owned by Rashidi.”

“However, there are two unoccupied flats in Block B,” said Paul, “that are rented by Lambeth council. One of which would be ideal for what we have in mind.”

William got up from the table and walked over to a large whiteboard covered in diagrams, arrows, and photographs, one of which showed two tower blocks with a walkway running between them.

“The flat I have in mind is on the twenty-third floor, not far from the walkway.”

“Good work,” said the commander. “However, it should be DC Adaja, not you, DS Warwick, who rents the flat, because if he can sneak some of our men in unobserved, when Rashidi attempts to escape across the walkway, he’ll find a welcoming party waiting for him.”

“Unobserved could be a problem, sir,” said William. “We’d need at least half a dozen men to arrest Rashidi and take out his bodyguards, and it won’t be easy to get a full firearms division up to the twenty-third floor of Block B before Rashidi has time to escape. But I’ll come to that later.”

“What about the roof?” asked Jackie. “Is that another way he could escape?”

“Unlikely,” said Paul. “The only way he could get out would be via the fire escape and he’d meet us on the way up while he was coming down.”

“No,” said William, “the walkway will be his preferred escape route, because once he’s in his flat in Block B, there’ll be no way of linking him with anything that’s going on in the next-door building.”

“What about the thug who mans the lift in Block A?” said Hawksby, taking a closer look at the detailed diagram pinned to the wall. “Can we disarm him and take over the lift?”

“Pete Donoghue,” said William, pointing to a photograph of a man who could have played an extra in The Sweeney without bothering to use makeup.

“He’s served time for GBH and armed robbery,” said Lamont. “Last time he was arrested it took three officers to hold him down while I handcuffed him.”

“You can’t get anywhere near the lift without him checking you out,” said Paul. “Several of Rashidi’s workers would prefer to take the stairs rather than share a lift with that thug.”

“Even if you could make it to the lift, there are always lookouts posted here, here, here, and here,” said William, pointing t

o four crosses on the street plan. “If one of them has any doubts about you, the lift disappears to the twenty-third floor, and doesn’t return to the ground floor until the all-clear’s been given.”

“Like an air-raid siren during the last war,” said the Hawk, showing his age.

“I’ll take your word for that, sir,” said Paul.

“How did you manage to pick up so much information without being spotted by one of the lookouts?” asked the Hawk, ignoring the comment.

“Regular journeys on the top decks of buses, sir,” said William. “Numbers 3, 59, and 118 pass by the two blocks several times an hour.”

“In fact,” said Paul, “the number 118 stops right outside Block A, which is how we’ve been able to pinpoint where the lookouts are posted. I’ve also identified several dealers, because they are the only ones allowed to head for the lift without being questioned. But I still can’t risk getting off the bus in the close vicinity of what is virtually a fortress.”

“How long would it take for a unit of armed officers to reach the twenty-third floor if they couldn’t make it to the lift in time?” asked Lamont.

“MM did it in seven and a half minutes,” said Jackie, “but remember, the lift can get there in forty-two seconds, giving Rashidi more than enough time to escape across the walkway and be back in his flat long before the first officer would reach the front door.”