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Chapter 82

North London

Theaddress on Frederick Beck’s driving licence was straight out of the dodgy-part-of-town starter pack. Pawn shops, derelict factories, sketchy pubs, and takeaways with names like Bob’s Burgers, Quick Wings and A Slice of Heaven. Beck was renting both flats above a fried chicken shop. SCO19 had named them Alpha and Bravo. Checks with the landlord confirmed Beck was up to date with his payments. The flats were accessed through a keypad-controlled door at street level.

Poe followed Mathers out of the vehicle but hung back. This part of the operation was all hers and he didn’t want to prove a distraction. Henning Stahl joined him.

‘Get back in the car,’ Poe said. ‘These are armed police. The last thing they need is you stumbling into their line of sight.’

‘The agreement was that I’d have full access.’

‘Access, yes. Being part of the breach team, no. Now, do as you’re told and sit in the bloody car.’

Mathers beckoned Poe over. ‘Anything you want to say before I give the order, Poe?’ she asked.

‘Hazmat is on standby?’

‘They are. We’ll record the scene, but we won’t move or touch anything, not until it’s been declared safe.’

‘Is he in there?’ Poe asked.

‘We can’t see him, but it’s late. He could be in bed.’

‘Nothing more from me then.’

Mathers turned to the armed cop standing next to her. He was wearing a black baseball cap with white chequered banding and Police written on the front. He had a Heckler & Koch MP5 slungacross his chest and a Glock strapped to his thigh. He was chewing gum and seemed calm.

‘We ready, Sergeant Holder?’ Mathers asked.

‘Just waiting for your order, ma’am.’

‘I’m handing you temporary control then,’ she said. ‘Please go when you’re ready.’

Poe made his way back to the Range Rover. By the time he’d opened the door the shouting had started.

Frederick Beck wasn’t in bed. SCO19 cleared both flats in seconds. Poe listened on Cat Baker’s radio. They opened the front door using the keycode the landlord had provided, then sprinted up the stairs screaming ‘Armed police!’ They simultaneously smashed open the doors to Alpha and Bravo and started clearing them. Two bedrooms, two living rooms/kitchenettes and two bathrooms – six rooms in total. SCO19 went through them in thirty seconds.

‘Anything, Sergeant Holder?’ Mathers said when the noise had subsided.

A pause.

‘I think you’d better come and see for yourself, ma’am.’