centre of the universe, it seemed. Rage unknown had filled her whole being. She’d wanted to kill Pete where he stood.
But despite her wrath, she knew that if she made a wrong move, she might further induce him to pull that trigger. She’d never felt the urgency of a moment so keenly. Moreover, she’d never felt her own power to direct it—until now. Her rage channelled itself into cold focus, passing through her lips in a tone she’d never heard from herself. One of total forcefulness and utter dynamism. The crazy thing was that when she told Pete to put that gun down, she fully expected him to do it. And he did.
Then the moment passed, and she wasn’t really certain what had happened, only that Pete was trying to pass the whole thing off as a joke gotten out of hand, not a genuine threat to Ashley’s life. It was probably the best outcome. Gina felt sweat drip down her spine when she realised what she’d done. Told an unpredictable sociopath with a gun what to do. When she had a moment later, she might have a small breakdown about it. But for now, she was just trying to catch her breath and feel grateful that no one had gotten hurt.
But Ashley wanted to tell her she was incredible. Gina didn’t know what to do with that. ‘I don’t know what happened. I just… I was scared at first when he pointed the gun at you. But then I felt all hot, and something happened, I don’t know… I don’t think I’ve ever been that mad in my life,’ she finished honestly.
‘My god,’ Ashley breathed, looking at her with such stupefaction that Gina suddenly knew how it must feel to be a waterfall or a pyramid. Bringing admiration and wonder into the eyes of her beholder. ‘This is the first time all day I’ve actually wanted to be thrown into that cupboard with you,’ Ashley finished.
Gina hoicked an eyebrow halfway off her face. She wondered if anyone had ever blushed to death before. If not, she could be the first.
But before she could respond, the phone went. Pete spun anxiously to face it. His eyes went straight to Ashley. ‘Ash, you’re on,’ he said in a friendly tone. Apparently, she was supposed to forget what he’d just done.
Of course, Ashley didn’t have a lot of choice in that, and Gina watched her take a deep breath, forcing a wobbly smile. ‘Sure.’
‘Gina?’ he said next. ‘Get your cam. I want this on tape. And then you’re gonna send this footage… Actually, can you send it to everyone? Like, all the channels?’
Gina nodded. Though she couldn’t quite bring herself to speak to him. It wasn’t five minutes ago she’d gotten into a standoff with him.
‘Probably better if she passes it on to KTN with instructions to send out to everyone. It would be quicker than trying to send it to all the stations from the cam direct,’ Ashley said for her.
‘Whatever. First thing’s first. Everyone get in the booth.’ Gina grabbed her camera and slid into her usual position. Ashley slid in across from her, Pete next. ‘You on?’ Pete asked. Gina still couldn’t speak to him, so she simply stuck a thumb up from behind the cam. Pete picked up the phone, hit the speaker button, and nodded at Ashley.
‘Hi,’ Ashley said.
‘Good evening, Ashley. And Pete. OK if I call you… call him Pete?’ DI Conway asked.
‘Bit fucking late for that,’ Pete mumbled.
Ashley took that as an affirmative. ‘Yeah. Pete. So, Detective, how’s it going with Pete’s… requests?’
The officer sounded happy as she said, ‘Look, it’s taken a lot of convincing, but I’ve got what he needs. It’s going to be here in an hour.’
Pete punched the air silently.
‘Great, so that’s a plane and the money?’ Ashley clarified.
‘That’s correct. We’re going to start clearing the car park soon to give the plane room to land. The money will be on the plane. One hundred thousand pounds. But we have one thing we do need to ask.’
‘Yes?’ Ashley asked.
‘We need a destination airport. Otherwise, the plane can’t go anywhere. It’s the law.’
Pete laughed. ‘The law?’
‘It’s international law,’ Conway clarified. ‘We can’t break it. If you try to land somewhere you shouldn’t, you’ll be arrested when you touch down. Which I presume wouldn’t be ideal.’
‘But it’s only gonna be little, isn’t it, this plane? What’s the fuss?’ Pete asked Ashley.
The detective answered for her. ‘There’s no distinction between light aircraft and heavy