‘We should be fine,’ replied David. ‘They’re just slowly working people away from the freighter so they’re out of danger. The only ones anywhere near it are going to be police posing as dock workers.’
Dan slouched back in the leather seat and watched the city go by. He turned the wire for his microphone between his fingers, unable to keep still. He blinked as the cityscape faded to desert and quickly shook his head to clear the image.
‘You okay?’
Dan glanced at the man sitting next to him and nodded. ‘Sure.’
The driver switched off the van’s lights as they approached the dock. The vehicle slowly crept forward, staying in the shadows.
Dan glanced behind him and saw the other three vehicles following. He tapped his microphone on. ‘Don’t use your brakes,’ he said. ‘Make sure you stay in a low gear and use the handbrake.’
A series of double clicks over the radio signified the other drivers’ confirmation. Dan shifted in his seat, satisfied the brake lights wouldn’t now give the team away. The mini-vans cruised to a stop under the awning of a building.
Dan looked ahead at the dock in the distance. ‘Okay, the hijacked ship is the one you can see the bow of,’ he explained in a low voice to the team in his van. ‘We wait until David confirms the aquatic team is in place.’
He glanced at David who was staring at his watch intently with his finger on his earpiece, waiting for confirmation that the assault boat had approached the freighter. The aquatic team was approaching the ship without an engine. Sound travelled further over water and the team was communicating through a series of pre-ordained clicks and taps on their microphones, not saying a word in case they jeopardised the assault.
Dan looked up as David lowered his watch and nodded at him.
‘That’s it, we have a go,’ said Dan, and gently slid the car door open.
He stood in the shadows and stared at the freighter. Somewhere inside, Delaney’s white gold weapon was waiting for him. Arc lights along the wharf illuminated parts of the ship. Dan realised how much brighter it would have been if the police hadn’t ensured that as little light as possible was used around the ship to help the assault, while at the same time trying to avoid arousing suspicion on the ship itself.
David joined him. ‘Almost like old times. You remember how to do this?’
Dan nodded. ‘Yeah. Second nature. It’s almost like the last few years never happened.’
David nodded. ‘I noticed – you’re a natural leader, Dan. It’s good to have you back.’
Dan watched him walk away to the mini-van behind theirs and begin issuing last-minute instructions before his voice came over the headset.
‘Let’s get busy.’
Dan signalled his team to follow him. Using the shadows of the buildings for cover, they edged closer to the ship. Dan stopped at the last building and looked over to the gangway leading up to the bow. He could see two figures walking along but they appeared to be engrossed in conversation and weren’t watching the dockside activity. The enormous stern loading doors hung open, a ramp leading down into the bowels of the ship. The police had done a good job posing as stevedores and stalling the unloading process as long as they dared without arousing suspicion.
Dan detected a salty tang in the air, a cold breeze whipping off the estuary waters outside the dock area.
David’s voice came low over the radio. ‘All in position?’
Dan tapped his microphone twice. He heard repeat responses from the rest of the team.
‘On my count,’ said David. ‘Three. Two. One. Go!’
Dan ran fast and low, keeping his team in the shadows between the arc lights, his gun drawn. As he reached the gangway, he released the safety catch and quickly checked behind him to make sure the team was ready. He nodded, turned and began to run up the gangway.
His heart raced, not from exertion but adrenaline coursing through his veins. He wanted to be the one to find Terry, to find out why.
He reached the top of the gangway at the same time David’s team reached theirs at the stern. The entry up to the ship’s bridge was to his left. Dan peered up at the windows as his team fanned out behind him. Suddenly a shout emanated from further along the deck and Dan ducked instinctively as a bullet embedded itself in the metalwork above his head. His team opened fire – careful concise shots to avoid any stray bullets hitting the wrong person.
The two men he’d seen further along the deck fell to the ground.
‘Two down,’ he said over the radio. ‘Don’t fire unless you’re fired at. We want to talk to some of these people if we can. Aim low to injure, not kill, if you can.’
A series of double-clicks sounded over the radio in response.
Dan edged further along the deck until he found a doorway to his right. He signalled to his team to stand clear, and then he slowly twisted the handle and gently pulled the door towards him. A metal staircase led upwards.
Dan concentrated on his breathing, pushing his heart rate down. He pulled the door outwards and risked a glance up the staircase. He leapt back as a bullet hit the floor next to him, the sound ringing in his ears a split second later.
Dan looked at the man to his right. ‘Have you got any of those flash bangs?’
The man nodded and handed Dan one of the stun grenades.
Dan grinned. ‘Let’s get the bastard.’
He pulled the pin, opened the door and tossed the grenade into the stairwell. He slammed the door shut and held it closed, turned his head away and closed his eyes. A loud explosion moved the door in its frame, followed by the sound of something metallic falling down the stairs.
Dan opened the door and peered in. An assault rifle lay at the bottom of the stairs. Dan stepped in through the door, glanced upwards and snatched up the rifle.
‘Go, go!’ he yelled to the team and led them up the metal staircase.