The Torchbearer ✓

Chapter 3

Following the sniper attack on a 15-year-old child, the scene that ensued was entirely predictable: complete chaos.

Lee Jackson froze in place, recognising that piercing crack all too well.

"DOWN!" he roared. Andy and Jackson hurled themselves down the gentle slope that fell away from the train tracks to get into cover. Although, Chris had adopted a stunned, semi-crouched position with an arm limply aimed at where his son had just been stood.

"CHRIS MOVE IT," Andy yelled at his colleague. At this Chris merely turned and showed the other two a face of disbelief and shock.

"B-but, my boy-"

"Never mind Jake, get down here now!" Andy instructed in a calmer voice Jackson could never have managed, given the circumstances. Guess that's how you talk down the rabbit in the headlights, thought Jackson. Chris trotted over and crouched close to where the other two were lying prone.

The kid's had it. Having turned to observe what stroppy Jake was doing, Jackson had seen him kicking at the ground one moment, then suddenly a good chunk of his neck and left shoulder was no longer attached to his body. Sniper for sure, must've been from up in the tree-line west of the tracks.

And that prancing idiot verified that the killer has buggered off because he should be toast too given that shot. Jackson took a few deep breaths and crawled up the dew-covered grass, to be level with the tracks.

"Lee, what the fuck!", his boss protested. "Guy's gone Andy, he'd have clocked young Christopher if he wasn't," Jackson retorted calmly.

Andy grunted and joined him in this vantage point, albeit belatedly. Chris was currently babbling away to himself behind them, seemingly in a state of stunned delirium. The police radio to which all three were connected had erupted with chatter. Andy began firing information down it after a good look at the remnants of Jake. He demanded ambulance units on standby, an armed response unit and stated more than once that this was not a drill. Simultaneously, he rooted around in the grass for his glasses that had been lost in his dive down embankment.

"We can get him." Jackson had never taken his eyes from the opposite ridge which was blanketed in deep green woodland. The cogs were turning in his head as he made a number of mental connections and then turned to his boss. "I can get this guy".

"Shut up Jacko, I'm organising things right now, it's stressful when a kid gets shot on your watch," Andy replied patronisingly. Jackson regarded his boss's mole-like features and fixed him a determined glare. "They can't be far, so I'm going after them. I'm gonna be faster than any unit you tell to get out there, and besides, I know these roads"

"You don't even know what they look like, vehicle type, or even if they have a vehicle. Lee, don't be stupid. We need to stay here, it's above us to chase after assassins and you know-"

No time.

Jackson left them behind and was sprinting back along the tracks to the platform, leaving both Chris on his knees weeping uncontrollably at his dead son's side, and his boss's growing cries of protest.

***

Not much had passed between Jackson and Andy during this crazy turn of events due to their ability to second guess each other and operate on the same wavelength, which led to their strong working relationship. But, Andy could never have guessed that Jackson would chase full pelt after a clearly skilled assassin, an instant after the most devastating murder of either of their careers was committed right in front of them.

If I can get to that farm I should cut the bastard off. Jackson's knowledge of the area led him to believe that if a guy had a sniper rifle with him, he would hardly be running around with it so he must have a ride. You picked the wrong place buddy. It's a one way in one way out road up there, let's see who's quicker.

His lungs were burning fiercely as they forced in the chilly air. Arriving at the platform, he scrambled up, scuffing his recently polished shoes as he clipped a cobblestone. Hurtling toward the station car-park that was congested with brightly coloured police response vehicles, Lee ignored the worried enquiries made by other officers and continued his charge.

Jackson made for a responder with a cold and bored officer making use of the car's heater. The radio was playing through the slightly wound-down window and the woman's awful interpretation of 'Everybody Dance Now' was audible. Jackson ripped the door open, disturbing her private disco.

"Out," he growled. She looked up stunned and embarrassed, before obeying his no-argument tone.

Her mouth bobbed open and closed as she watched him reverse out and then screech away toward the main road, spraying gravel backwards.

"...dance now," she muttered, turning away and heading toward the nearest source of warmth as the whine of the car's engine faded into the distance.

***

Jackson pushed his newly acquired vehicle hard, until the one road leading to the farmland overlooking the rail tracks came into view. Sparing a glance over his shoulder into the back of the police car, he confirmed the absence of a firearm. Maybe this isn't a great idea after all, Andy.

More time would've been spent on how he planned to apprehend any potential suspect, had he not spotted a clearly mis-treated Vauxhall Corsa pulling out of the farm, onto the main road. Pressing the gas pedal flat, he turned on the sirens and sped toward it.