Part One
It had been a long hard Rugby match, The South Wales Police Service 15 or simply The Swipes against The MAWWFRS aka the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service. These were two teams that did not like to be beaten but beaten they were
The Swipes lost 32-10 and a very despondent police rugby team sat in the changing rooms after the game. Some sat around glum faced while the others got cleaned off and dressed. Standing in the shower there was a slightly older man his name was Commander Dai Jones he stood next to a younger player Constable Davey Mathews. Dai looked over to Davey and then down he pointed and said curiously
“What’s that?”
Davey quickly answered back “What?”
Dai again pointed down “What’s that?”
Davey “What?”
Dai; “That!!!!”
Davey; “What do you think it is?”
Dai; “Don’t be cheeky! I know what it is. I mean what’s on it?”
Davey, “It’s a birth mark”
Dai; “Well I’ve never noticed it before: Hey Doc Come here and have a look at this will you?”
Doctor Barry Evans; by now fully dressed and ready for a pint came to the edge of the washroom.
“What’s that then Dai?”
Dai; “ Its Davey’s todger. Its looks a bit funny”
Davey;” Stop it Sir! They’ll all want a look “
Suddenly the room was filled was the sound of many voices and too many footsteps coming towards to the showers;
“Too right we will, what’s occurring? “
“Let’s have butchers “
The whole team come into the shower room to look at Davey’s penis.
A now very embarrassed and suddenly very shy Davey protested
“Go away the lot of you there’s nothing to see here”
Constable Simon Hughes piped up
“Too right there boyo”
Dai; “Keep it down lads Let the dog see the rabbit.”
Mickey Davis decided that it was his turn to speak
“You mean the bird see the worm”
Davey; “I’ll have you lovely boy.”
Doctor Barry beckoned Davey to come out of the shower and pointed to a bench;
“Let me see it then and I’ll call Cyril over here as well he’s seen plenty of cocks on his adventures”
Davey replied
“No disrespect Cyril, but you’re not going anywhere near my cock.”
Cyril smiled and tried to be a voice of comfort
“Calm down my lovely you’re not my type.”
Doctor Barry took a magnifying glass out of his bag and then went over to wait by the bench
“Are you taking the piss?”
Protested Davie in the strongest of terms
Whilst feigning offence and trying to cover his obvious smile Doctor Barry answered him
“No it’s just so I can have a closer look, come over here and lie on the bench I don’t like getting my instruments wet”.
Davey by this time feeling more than just a little uncomfortable entreated the good doctor
“Is this really necessary? “
Dai; “It’s an order from your superior officer don’t be such a baby you’ve got nothing we haven’t seen before.”
Davey answered
“Yes; well I’m not use to having mine studied under a microscope”
Doctor Barry did try to show a little compassion and empathy as he spoke to Davey in his normal day at work he wasn’t use talking with his clients
“Don’t be silly boy it’s only a magnifying glass; that looks interesting! Hey come here Dai have a look at this”
Doctor Barry’s outburst was quickly followed by a chorus of
“Let’s have a look as well”
Dai walked calmly over to Davey;
“Now then my lovely’s privileges of rank and all that, I’ll have a look and I’ll you tell you about it.”
An indignant voice came from the onlookers
“He’s been with that Nelly hasn’t he? We’ve all been warned about Nelly and her girls.”
One Voice was quickly followed by another
“Yes things hasn’t been the same since the pit closed”
Suddenly Mickey chipped in, in a very disapproving voice
“I thought you were engaged to Mary, she’s nice girl, Chapel family she won’t approve of this carrying on”
Davey; ” I haven’t been with Nelly, alright?”
Nathanial Williams could stay silent no longer
“Who have you been with, then?”
Davey “No one, Just Mary and only Mary “
Nathanial’s tone changed to that of sympathy
“Oh I’m sorry mate. Mary must have given it to you I’ve never trusted those Chapel folk. They all look alike and that can’t be a coincidence”
Davey; “Mary hasn’t been putting it about and I haven’t been putting it about”
Nathanial; “So why have you got the clap?”
Davey; “I haven’t got the bloody clap”
By this time Doctor Barry had finished his thorough examination
“No he hasn’t got the clap it is a birth mark Dai! You’re a rubbish detective you are, haven’t you noticed it before? “
“Well the old eyesight not what it used to be” explained Dai somewhat apologetically
Michael confessed to the group
“Come to think of it I’ve noticed it before, but I didn’t want to tell anyone. It’s private see?”
Nathanial added unrelentingly
“Well I still think it might be the clap those Chapel girls are far too easy”
Doctor Barry still 100% sure of his diagnosis proclaimed;
“It’s not the clap I’ll tell you what, all of you have a look and put your minds at rest”
Everyone in the changing room surrounded the naked body of Davey Mathews Davey tried to get off the bench but he wasn’t quick enough
“Will you lot give over?” protested Davey
It wasn’t clear who said this but it reflected the mood of the room
“Commander Dai had a look Barry had a look and Nathanial. It’s not fair!”
Dai who was now trying to protect his constable from the fuss he had caused
“Now lads get over it and get dressed all of you. We’ve got to talk some strategy for our next match. We’re in the proper police league and we’re one game down”
“Where are we going next week then sir? “
Enquired Nathanial
Dai gave a wry smile and proclaimed
“We’re going to Aidensfield “
“Where’s that then? “
Dai answered the question quickly and with a tone of pride and nostalgia
“Yorkshire me lado! Yorkshire. I have fond memories of Aidensfield my old mate Oscar Blaketon was a sergeant there. It wouldn’t surprise me if he wasn’t a super now. He was a good man with a good crew. I remember Nick and his lovely wife, there was young Phil he was always after that barmaid Gina down The Aidensfeild Arms and Old Alf he was a lazy bugger but a good plod. It’ll l be good to see them all again. It’s been nearly twenty years, but I bet the old place hasn’t changed.
“Who’s had the bloody toilet paper? “
Came a disgruntled voice from the back of the changing rooms
At around the same time actually in Yorkshire and during the inspection of young Davey’s penis, a car pulled up at a cemetery, a stone’s throw from Aidensfield. A middle aged man stepped out; he wore dark glasses and supported a short beard and was dressed in a fine long grey coat. He took some flowers from the car and went in through the cemetery gates. The man walked up to a grave marked Kate Rowan he laid down the flowers pinned with photographs one was of little girl and another of a teenager and finally a photograph of a university graduate, he then began to weep. The man then dried his face and his nose composed himself a little and proceeded to speak softly to the gravestone
“Sorry I’ve been away so long Kate. I’ve always missed you. This is our little Katie is all grown up you’d be proud of her. I know I am and now she’s got a little brother Ozzy Its Oscar actually. Well Yes and no! Jo had an Uncle Oscar and also after Oscar Blaketon Oh yes! Jo Yes we’re happy. She’s not you, but I was so lonely when you left me. I’m back here looking for Ozzy. It’s a long story I’ll tell you before I go back to Canada, you remember don’t you? I brought Katie here to say goodbye before we left. It was hard leaving you but I had to start again somewhere fresh there were too many memories here”
He blew a kiss and left Kate’s grave and moved along a few rows until he came to the grave of PC Philip “Phil” Montgomery Bellamy Loved and missed
“How are you mate? Sorry I wasn’t there for you. I’m so sorry, so very sorry”
He began to began to cry again only this time with more vigour he had managed before to hold back the tears to hold back his grief but now he couldn’t control his emotions he broke down and wept
“I’m alright look at me it’s so stupid I’m not buried there, you are! Policemen are not supposed to get shot in little rural villages It’s not fair. I’ve got so much to tell you and Kate I just don’t have time I’ve got to find Ozzy”
Part Two
At that moment his mobile phone rang he took it from his pocket and answered it. He didn’t speak at first he just listened as a familiar voice said
“Hey Nicco It’s me. It’s me”
The man ended the call, a moment later it rang again
It was the same voice
“Nicco pick up say something it’s me Mickey Shit! I’ve forgotten the code um! Go Yankees Go. Rule Britannia. Cricket Sucks Oh yer Got it! Tomorrow’s Mileys birthday”
The man answered
“Goldfish don’t have birthday’s stupid and the code is your own telephone number. Remember?”
Mickey quickly rolled off his telephone number
“Oh yes 60613322. Ok Mr. Rowan Can we talk now? Where the hell are you? Why don’t you answer your calls? Why are not at home or work? Why did we have to play one man short at bowling? We were nearly disqualified. Not good form old boy!”
Nick; “I’m taking a leave of absence”
Mickey; “Now? Where are you?”
Nick: “I’ll call you back!”
(Nick ended the call and then called him straight back)
Mickey; “What! Do you think I’m trying to trace your call? Shame on you Nicholas Do you know how hard it is to trace a mobile telephone? With all those roaming signals it’s like trying to trace air. Where are you? And what’s wrong? And where’s Jo? Is she with you? I know you guys, have been having problems lately”
Nick; “I can’t tell you anything right now I’ll be in touch”
Nick ended the call
Nick Rowan then took one last look around the cemetery and got into his car and drove into Aidensfield. It wasn’t long before he saw the Aidensfield Arms and the shops around the village it all seemed to be the same until he drove slowly past the pub and noticed that Bernie Scripps Garage and Undertakers was no longer there. There was a sign now that read DS Transport Petrol Station, Taxi Service, Car, Van and Bus rental. Nick stopped the car at the garage, as he pulled in he was greeted by Tracey a cheerful young woman who came out onto the forecourt. Nick also spotted a small sign above the door of the office that said Proprietors David and Tracey Stockwell
Tracey began to speak as Nick rolled down his window
“Good evening sir can I help you?”
Nick;“Yes Mam! I mean yes love fill her up!”
Tracey “Sorry?”
Nick; “No it’s me who should be sorry, wrong Continent. 10 gallons should do it, is David around?”
Tracey; “Do you know my husband?”
Nick suddenly somewhat taking aback stuttered
“No it doesn’t matter now”
Tracey frowned a little but started to putting petrol in the car she then enquired
“If you’re trying to sell us something we don’t need it. I must also inform you that I deal with all the buying in this company. I have done since Mr. Scripps sold my husband and I the business 15 years ago. David is a sweet hard working man but he trusts everyone and that’s not always good for business. This is why he has me to protect him from dodgy salesman, so if that’s all you want then that will be £ 19 please and I’ll bid you good day. We only buy from people we know and trust.”
Nick “Alright Mrs. Stockwell thank you!”
Nick paid for his petrol rolled up his window and drove away, as he maneuvered his way out of the garage and along the main road he felt a smile come to his face he couldn’t remember the last time he smiled
Over the road from DS Transport the lights were still on at The Aidensfield Arms the fire was still lit as it always had been and the locals were still popping in after a hard day’s work. There were two men sitting at a table together these men were Alf Ventress and Oscar Blaketon and they were playing cards. There was a young man serving behind the bar it was Philip Bellamy Junior. Gina his mother walked in to the bar and smiled at young Philip saying
“Are you alright love? Oscar, did you remember to tell the brewery that we’ve got enough Real Ale for the time being it’s just not selling I think we could do with another lager on tap”
Oscar replied without taking his eyes of Alf or his cards
“Yes Gina and you know what day it is today don’t you?”
Gina ; “Yes Oscar It’s Saturday night and Jeremy Beadle is on the telly so I am going to put my feet up go upstairs and watch him, you and Phillip can run the bar.”
Oscar; “No I think that you forgotten about the rugby match tomorrow. We’re making the food and supplying the drinks and they’re all coming back her afterwards and I’ve applied for and been granted a late license.”
Gina, “No Oscar I didn’t forget the Rugby match, because, you forgot to tell me!”
Oscar; “I’m sure I did”
Gina; “Phil? Where’s the book?”
Phil; “Here you are mum”
Gina; “Now let’s see. Friday, Saturday, Sunday. No, nothing. What rugby match, Oscar?”
Oscar; “I wrote it in my diary, Look!”
Gina; “It’s not in here Oscar, so they are not coming!”
By now Oscar was getting a little het up he spoke in as forceful manner as he felt he could, given that this was after all his mistake
“But Gina it’s all arranged. It’s the Police League. They are driving down from Glamorgan. They’re playing The Aidensfield 15’s tomorrow and then the Ashfordly Raiders Wednesday and then Friday they’re playing the big boys over in Whitby, so they’ll be here for three nights”
Gina; “Not here, they won’t Oscar. We haven’t got the rooms or the room.”
Oscar; “I know that! They will be sleeping and training at the old Ashfordly School and eating their meals here. It’s all been arranged.”
Gina “Not by me Oscar”
Oscar. “Gina, think of the business. Think of the village”
Gina, “Just think what a Rugby team will do to this pub. What’s going to pay for the damage after they’ve gone?”
Oscar; “There will be no trouble, they’re all coppers. It’s the Police league “
Gina, “Alright Oscar I’ll cook the food but I’m not standing behind the bar all day serving pints, they’re your responsibility you serve them”
Oscar; “We’ll all help, won’t we Alf?”
Alf; “What?”
Oscar; “Alf”.
Alf; “Yes Oscar”
Oscar, “Is that your Second?”
Alf; “Yes it is why?”
Oscar; “You can drive me to the Cash and Carry”
Alf; “You’ve got a nerve Oscar”
Oscar, “Come on Ventress It’s for the Honour of Aidensfield”
Alf; “Come on then, if you’re coming”
It is early afternoon in Toronto Mickey is sitting at his desk he picked up the phone and dialed a number.
“Hello Mr. Montgomery. It’s Mickey Kelly. I’ve spoken to Nick I don’t know where he is right now. He could be anywhere I’ve checked his apartment, his friends and all the hotels in the area. I just can’t find him. He’s where? Where’s that? I’ve never heard of Aidensfield, Durham, Ontario?. Oh! England! You want me to go to England Why? You have Nick’s son and I didn’t agree to any of this. You said you’d wipe my slate clean for some information. I can’t get involved in Kidnapping. How did you get his son over there? Hendon, Police training school! Nick didn’t say anything about his son going to England. Ok! Ok! I’ll go over there but I don’t want anything to happen to Ozzy or Nick I’m one of Nick’s oldest friends he must never know”
Back in The Aidensfield Arms as Gina was pouring pints and serving customers a coach pulled up in the car park and there was the sound of loud singing
Gina; “Oh God they’re early Where’s Oscar?”
Young Phil; “And where’s Alf?”
The pub doors opened and 22 men came filing in Dai was first at the bar holding a large wad of cash
“22 pints please love and have one for yourself”
Gina; “22 pints of what?”
Dai; “Bitter what else? You won’t catch us drinking lager maybe Cyril might want a Pint of The Amber liquid”
Cyril; “That’s victimisation that is!”
Dai;” Lager’s a poof’s drink”
Cyril;” I’m not a poof I’m a Gay man and I’m fine with a pint of bitter, thank you!”
Dai: “Ok then love 22 pints of bitter and 22 pork pies we’re all good Christian Lads Where’s Oscar are you his missus? He always had an eye for the ladies and you look like his type a pretty a girl like you”
Gina replied without hesitation
“I’m not his wife I’m his partner”
Dai “Oh like that is it?”
Gina “It’s not like anything we run the pub together nothing else”
Young Phil tried to stifle a smile Gina glared at him
“And you can wipe that silly grin off your face and get pouring”
Nick had decided that staying in Aidensfield was not the best idea so he’d booked a room at The Bull in Ashfordly. An aide to Mr. Montgomery had contacted Nick in Toronto telling him that they had taken Ozzy. All Mr. Montgomery wanted was for Nick and the Corp to take their investigations in another direction. Nick was still a serving Mountie but had been on a short secondment to The Canadian Security Intelligence Service or The CSIS in Toronto. It was meant to be routine surveillance. Nicks local force was trying to apprehend some illegal loggers and fur traders. The CSIS had a lot more resources than they did The problem was that during an innocent investigation carried out from his borrowed office Nick discovered a paper trail that led straight back to Mr. Montgomery and all his associates. This simple and at first seemingly unimportant discovery could effectively bring down an entire Canadian Crime family. Nick just had to lose a file and then everybody would be happy Mickey would have his gambling debt cancelled, Nick would get his son back. The family could carry on in business and nobody would mention any of this again for fear of incrimination. No one wanted to bring attention to themselves and killing a Mountie or a member of his family was not the kind of publicity Mr. Montgomery craved and Mickey was being sent over to England to reason with Nick
Part Three
Nick arrived at The Bull he checked in at the bar and went straight to his room. A room in a pub is much like any other room in any pub. A bed, a wardrobe, a mirror and a chair. this wasn’t a holiday it was a rescue mission. Nick was 250 miles from Hendon but according to the information he had gathered from the papers he had read, the crime family had close links with North Yorkshire. There was a big port in Scarborough and The Docks in Hull were a perfect gateway for European opperations Scarborough was to be Nick’s first Port of Call it was just 35 miles from Whitby. It wasn’t far away and it was a good place to start. Nick hoped that some of his contacts would still be around even after nearly twenty years.
The next day he could check the local telephone directories and call into Asfordly police station and file a missing persons report. This would give him a chance to meet the local police. Nick didn’t think anyone at the station would know who he was after so many years. Nick lay down on the bed he didn’t want to sleep but he knew he had to; it was going to be a long day tomorrow
In Toronto Mickey Kelly was trying to make a reservation for a flight to Manchester. It was a twelve hour flight and he knew that it wasn’t going to be cheap. He had just got off the phone to the Airline when suddenly his office door opened two men grabbed him threw him to the floor and handcuffed him.
“Mickey: What’s going on? Who are you people? ”
The two men without speaking dragged Mickey up and sat him at his desk, presently there came to Mickey’s door a familiar face, his boss Inspector Leo Lapointe or LaLa to his friends
Mickey was relieved to see a friend standing at the door
Mickey: “La la what’s happening?”
Leo : “Sergeant Kelly I’m arresting you on the charges of Bribery, Corruption and Racketeering. You have the right to retain and instruct counsel without delay. You also have the right to free and immediate legal advice from duty counsel by making free telephone calls to a toll-free phone number during business hours and to a toll-free phone number during non-business hours. Do you understand? Do you wish to call a lawyer? You also have the right to apply for legal assistance through the provincial legal aid program. Do you understand?”
Mickey: “No La la I do not understand”
Leo: “It’s Inspector Lapointe! Would you like me to repeat the charges and your rights?”
Mickey: “No I don’t want you to repeat the charges I want you to release me and let me get to the airport. I need to take a plane to Britain Nick’s son has been kidnapped he needs my help he needs our help.”
Leo: “We know the whole story we’ve been watching you for weeks and monitoring your calls Nick Rowan is a first class officer. He sent in daily reports into our office on all his findings and on all aspects of his investigation. Nick thought he could trust you! You’ve let him down and the whole of The Corp. Guys take him away. I need to phone Hendon, London and Manchester, we need to find Nick I also need to arrange to put Jo and Katie into protective custody. You and The Montgomery Family are going down Mickey”
Back at The Aidensfield Arms Oscar and Dai were getting acquainted again. Oscar had been down to the Cellar to retrieve his own private stock of single malt whisky and he, Dai and Alf were about to open their second bottle. The rest of the team was happily drinking the local brew. There was noise, singing, arm wrestling and drinking games going on the pub was busy but there was no trouble. Dai spoke to Oscar
Dai: “So you never became an inspector then? And did that wild son of yours ever join the police force?
Oscar replied slowly, trying to sound as sober as he could. This was a trick that he had learned very quickly and to great effect during the war whilst on guard duty
Oscar “No and no. I found out quite by accident during a police chase that I have a dodgy heart so I was invalided out of the force. My son Graham was a badun at first but he straightened himself out in the end. He moved to London and became a taxi driver I don’t hear from him much he talks to Joan but she never talks to me”
Before Dai had a chance to console his old friend there came an all too familiar sound and vibration from his jacket
Dai: “Bloody Thing! In this new microchip age they can always track you down! Commander Jones here and I hope this is important for your sake! Oh sorry Sir Yes Sir How can I help you Sir? It’s a bit late to go out on a hunt now sir but I’ll make sure my lads are ready and up for duty early. Oscar Do you have a Fax?”
Oscar’s face went blank as he tried to answer a question that he had no idea how to answer but Gina came quickly to the rescue
Gina “Yes we do Dai the number is on the wall in front of you and on your beer mat”
Dai “Thanks Gina”
Dai read out the Fax number ended the call and then made an announcement to the team
“Listen up lads the party is over! We’re all off to bed because we’re all on duty tomorrow. The team bus has just become our Mobile Headquarters. One of our brother police officers is need of our help his son has been kidnapped and he’s on his own trying to find him Silly Bugger! Tomorrow is going to be a hunt and help operation in cooperation with The Canadian Mounted Police and The North Yorkshire Constabulary. There is an officer in distress and we you lovely boys are going to help him Operation Find Nick Rowan starts first thing tomorrow so get your heads down and meet up here in the morning for a full English and a briefing So Bugger Off and get your heads down”
Part Four
The name Nick Rowan reverberated through the pub Gina began voicing everyone else’s thoughts
“Nick is here in Yorkshire”
Oscar also piped in
“ Nick Rowan, here and in need of help, he was one of my finest officers if Nick needs our help then I want in on this operation”
Dai; “It’s kind of you Oscar and I mean no disrespect to an ex-officer of your standing and reputation but it might be dangerous. These are not your normal British scrotes they could be armed Canadian Gangsters and we’re trained to deal with this kind of thing”
Oscar; “I seen my fair share of guns in my time and I never flinched nor did any of the men under my command. Did we Alf? Alf, Alf “
Alf had dozed off in the corner after taking part in a game of whisky spoof with some of the team he stirred after the third call of his name
Alf: “Yes, what? Yes of course “
Oscar; “See we’re ready”
Dai: “It’s too risky Oscar”
Oscar; “I need to do this for the lad let me help in any way that I can! Please!
Dai; “Alright but just for old time’s sake, you were a good copper. You can help us but stay out of harm’s way I’ll need you here tomorrow with a couple of my lads to coordinate things and keep us informed. Maybe you can talk to some of your old contacts find out how they might to leave the country. If those bad boys get to Europe we’ll have a devil of a time trying to find them again”
The next morning 21 fresh faced police officers dressed in matching tracksuits were sitting down to a full English breakfast at The Aidenfield Arms. Dai stood up still wielding a bacon sandwich to address his team.
Dai: “Not all of you have worked with me before but you know as a team captain and trainer I’m hard but firm and fair that’s how I am as a team captain and copper. We’ve got an important job to do, we’re going to help that silly bugger Rowan, put some bad people behind bars and save a young recruits life. “
Dai’s rousing speech was interrupted by the buzzing of his mobile phone
“Hello Commander Jones speaking. You have? Great! Get down to The Bull and pick him up I want him here, arrest him if you have to but get him here to Aidensfield Bye. They’ve found Rowan and they’re bringing him here I don’t want some vigilantly Mounty running loose in Yorkshire looking for trouble. If he wants trouble we’ll find it for him. Oscar, Gina have you got a Yellow Pages?”
Gina just nodded looking a little confused
Dai; “Good! Cyril go through the Yellow pages and find every warehouse, wholesalers and export companies in North Yorkshire. They will all be worth a phone call or a visit we will also coordinate with The North Yorkshire Police Service, my governor already got that in hand. Our job is here on the ground and when that Dipstick Rowan gets here we can debrief him. Right Cyril Chop Chop! The rest of you lads hang fire, we’ve arranged transport from Ashfordly and Whitby, when the wheels arrive we’re on our way”
Oscar interjected
“I’ll phone Tracey at The Garage and tell her what’s going on. If any American or Canadian’s try to book a taxi or a van I’ll tell her to contact me or the police. It’s a long shot but you never know”
Dai: “Good One Oscar I was right you’re still and always will be a credit to the force”
Gina then took Cyril to the phone in The Snug and supplied him with every Yellow pages book that they had, there were seven up-to-date editions in all. Cyril with Gina’s help began starting with the letter W. Barely an hour went by when there were a fleet of cars and two police vans parked up outside the pub. The first car to pull up was a brand new Rover 3.5 The driver came out and then opened the back door Assistant Chief Constable Colin Bailey got out of the car accompanied by Nick Rowan in handcuffs. Nick was led into the pub sat down with a constable and was then released. This was not the happy reunion, everybody in the pub wanted. They all wanted to talk to Nick, shake his hand maybe give him a manly hug or a kiss from Gina but nobody spoke and no one moved. This state of suspended animation seemed to last forever until suddenly the was a loud excited voice from The Snug as Cyril shouted out
“Montgomery Shipping, Scarborough!”
The whole pub snapped back into the here and now. It could be nothing but the coincidence was too great and policemen don’t like coincidences
Dai: “Cyril get onto Scarborough tell them to send a car down there to keep watch this has got to be where they’re holding Rowan. Well Nicky Boy! If you behave yourself and it’s alright with ACC Bailey you can come with us is it alright with you Sir?”
ACC Bailey just nodded and put on his cap, within 5 minutes everyone was in a vehicle and on their way to the A171 to Scarborough. The local police in Scarborough had by this sent an unmarked car outside the warehouse. They couldn’t speak directly to the car because it was out of range
The convoy of vehicles stopped a little outside the warehouse gates Dai had insisted on silent mode. He didn’t want to spook the occupants of the building and he didn’t want to create a hostage situation. Nobody had any idea whether the men in the building were armed so an armed back up unit was on its way from Scarborough Central and they would be there at any moment. Dai had radioed ahead so he knew that they were on their way, all they could do now was sit and wait. After 5 minutes the air around them was filled with the sound of police sirens the whole region could hear these officers arriving. Dai grabbed his radio
“Bloody fools! What do they think they’re playing at?”
Dai immediately drove his car to the front to block the main entrance of the warehouse he then got out of the car in case anyone in the building started shooting. ACC Bailey whose car was safely parked over the other side of the road got out and put on his cap Dai ran over to him
“ What the bloody hell is going on Sir? It was supposed to be low key”
ACC Bailey gave Dai a quick and abrupt answer
“I think you should watch your tone when addressing me Commander Jones. My men were just following procedural guidelines set down by The Home Office. Armed vehicles must give a suitable warning to the public that there is or might be a risk of an Armed Incident. My office gave all Station Commanders strict directives on the issue and use of Fire Arms in order to safe guard the public. This is my patch so stand down; we have this situation under control”
Dai pleaded with The ACC
“ But what about young Rowan ? Do you want to explain procedure to his father?”
ACC; It’s that tone again Jones! Stand down! We are taking over! Thank you for your input do you not have a match on Wednesday? The honour of The South Wales Police Service has to be upheld and that means that you must win the next two games we’ll be fine here”
ACC Bailey then took up a megaphone
“ This is the police, we are armed and the building is surrounded. Please throw out any weapons and come out with your hands raised high above you. This is your only warning! Do as I ask and no one needs to get hurt”
There came no sound from the building, no movement whatsoever. ACC Bailey raised his megaphone again
“I will count to 5 and if you do not come out then we are coming in. You have been warned 1 2 3 4 5. Ok times up. Men proceed into the building”
The great and the good of The Scarborough Police were more than just a little reticent to enter a building or a yard where there might be a chance of them being shot. Not one single police officer moved forward. ACC Bailey was beside himself with rage
“Men move in and move in now!”
It was at this time Commander Dai Jones thought it prudent to take charge again
“Sorry Sir but with all due respect I don’t think you have the experience for this kind of caper. I think I’d better take the reins again just for a little while”
Dai quickly got onto the radio
“Nathanial, Davey, you two take a couple of lads and have a shufty around the back and side doors, don’t take any chances it’s just reconnaissance. Stop, look and run away! Got it?”
Nathanial and Davey “Yes sir on our way sir “
Three minutes later the radio crackled again
Nathanial followed by Davey “it’s all clear sir we think the buildings empty”
Nathanial “There’s no lights no vehicles and no sound and no one at the windows”
Dai thought for a moment and then got into his car
ACC Bailey “Where are you going?”
Dai: “I’ll be back in mo sir. Never ask anyone to do what you wouldn’t do yourself”
Dai backed the car up and then drove through the gates as soon as he was in the courtyard he ducked down inside his car and then spoke on his radio
“ Right Lads drive the cars and vans in one by one turn on the siren and duck down sharpish No heroics “
Soon the whole yard was filed with police vehicles all with lights flashing and sirens blaring. After a short time a message came over the radios
“ Right! Stop the racket”
The yard was deathly quiet Dai spoke again this time he shouted as loud as he could
“If you are in there come out, we’re not going anywhere and neither are you”
There was a standoff for nearly an hour an army of armed and unarmed policemen waited for some kind of movement. They had received information from the surrounding area that the Warehouse had recently been occupied Dai’s phone rang
Dai; “Hello Oscar? I’m sorry mate I don’t have time to talk now we’re in the middle of a siege. I’ll phone you later”
The call was quickly terminated.
Oscar; “The arrogant bugger he cut me off! Cyril, can you get him on the radio?”
Cyril; “I can Oscar but he’d kill me, we’re on radio silence see!”
Oscar; “I’ve just had Ashfordly nick on the phone, they’ve tried to contact Dai and The ACC but nobody is picking up”
Cyril; “And ? “
Oscar; “I told Tracey to contact me if an American or Canadian because we can’t tell the difference tried to hire a taxi or a van and she did. An American phoned her and booked a hire van to be picked up from Whitby. I phoned the police in Whitby and they sent two cars around to the address given over the telephone. They arrested three men who thankfully came quietly; it seems that they want to turn Queens Council. They also have as their guest, a young police cadet called Oscar Rowan this is why I want to talk to your Governor”
Cyril: “ Oh Oscar You Beauty! I’ll contact the boss straight away”
Cyril picked up the phone Dai’s phone number was etched indelibly in his memory
Dai’s phone rang the sound filled the silence of the court yard
“It’s that daft old bugger Oscar again he should be in a home. I told you Oscar I’d get back to you as soon as I could. Oh! Hello Cyril tell me lovely boy which part of radio silence do you not understand?”
Unperturbed by this very impolite reception Cyril apprised his governor of everything that had occurred in Whitby, after the call everyone was stood down. The ACC quickly left the scene to drive back to his office where he hurriedly wrote a press statement praising the quick action of his local force. There was no mention of Commander Dai Jones or his men just a short postscript saying that mistakes had been made not by his local force but by an outside body
That night at The Aidensfield Arms there was a reunion and a celebration. It had been nearly two decades since Nick had drunk a pint of Ashfordly’s it went down well. Oscar and young Oscar seemed to have so much to talk about although nobody actually saw young Oscars lips move. David and Tracey came over for the celebrations. A pint was raised for those who had left us some sooner than they should have. David made a toast this was not the man Nick knew all those years ago things and people really can change.
David; “Here’s to Mr. Rowan” David felt a sharp pain in the back of his leg
David; “Here’s to Nick and Young Oscar this will always be your home. Welcome back!”
The entire pub joined in with the toast
“ Cheers !”
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