The Phantom Ritual (DCI Morgan Chester: Case One)

Chapter Thirty-Four

"Yes, I need an ambulance sent to 15 Jamestown Road, Camden Market, NW1 7BA. The flat number is 207." Hallie spoke to the operator on the other end.

"Is the patient breathing?" A bored female voice responded to her.

Hallie rolled her eyes. She heard rumours about the operators being lazy but never believed it until now. The emergency call centre really was taking on anyone with no experience to answer these kinds of calls.

"I am not with the patient, so I have no idea if they are even still alive."

"We cannot dispatch an ambulance until we know the severity of the incident."

Hallie pushed back into her chair and rubbed her forehead as she let out a long sigh. Morgan's life hung in the balance. Slowly, she was losing her temper.

"I understand that, but a member of my team is locked up in her home with a deranged killer."

"Then you will need the police. If you just hold, I can pu-"

"My name is Hallie Carter. I am the Forensic Technical Analyst from the Serious Crime Unit. Have you heard of us?" She told the operator.

"Yes, I have heard of your department."

"Well, our Detective Chief Inspector Morgan Chester is currently being held hostage by a killer we have been hunting. He is extremely dangerous and has murdered four women in very brutal ways, may I add. A fire team has been deployed to her home, but we will also need medical assistance. If you do not comply, then, believe me, I can hack into any social media account you have and make your life a living hell. Do you understand me?"

Hallie took a deep breath to compose herself. It was exceedingly rare for her to threaten someone's livelihood, but Morgan needed her. The line was quiet. She hoped the operator had not hung up on her.

"An ambulance had been dispatched to the address. It will be arriving in under ten minutes." The operator confirmed.

She finally let out the breath she had been holding in. She thanked the operator before she disconnected the call. On the screen above her, she tracked Cole's car. He was steadily coming into Camden Market. He picked up after two dials when she called him.

"Talk to me, Hallie."

"I may have threatened the poor woman operator I just requested the ambulance from.."

Cole sniggered. "The great Hallie Carter threatened someone. Has Hell finally frozen over?"

"It was the only way to get her to listen. Anyway, the ambulance is on its way. Oliver and Commissioner Dixon have taken a squad of AFO's. They will meet you at Morgan's flat." She relayed to him.

"Traffic is bad in central London, and they will get caught up in it. Time is getting away from us. Get Oliver on this call." He requested.

She nodded and frantically dialled Oliver's mobile number and waited for him to answer.

"Bruce," Oliver announced.

"How far are you from Morgan's flat?" Cole asked.

"Roughly six or seven minutes." He replied.

"Morgan doesn't have six minutes."

Hallie looked up at the screen and saw Cole's car crossing the market bridge. He was getting close.

"Please tell me you will not do anything stupid, reckless, or dangerous, Dawson. This baby will need his godfather." She warned him.

"I do not have a choice. I am not going to let Morgan die." He pulled up at the curb outside the block of flats; the tires screeched as the car came to a sudden halt.

They heard the slam of his car door. Cole switched from the car's handsfree to his wireless earphones. The street was empty, no members of the public walking and no cars passed through. He slowly approached the main entrance doors and looked through the glass. A body laid next to the concierge desk. Residents of the block of flats would be leaving their homes soon to go to work, and someone will notice him.

"I have a body. Male in his late forties and dressed in a suit. I think he works for the building's security. Aaron must have attacked him as he was let into the building." He relayed the information to Hallie and Oliver.

"Dawson, I need you to stand down and wait for us to arrive at the location," Oliver warned him sternly.

"With all due respect, sir, Morgan will be dead by the time you get here," Cole argued.

"Stand down. That is an order, Dawson."

Cole bit his lip and headed back to his car. He swiftly opened the boot, slipped on his police vest, and slipped his gun into the waistband of his jeans. Hidden underneath his gym bag was a steel crowbar; Cole grabbed it and slammed the boot shut. He charged towards the glass doors.

"I am sorry, Oliver, but Morgan would do the same if it were one of us in there."

Cole disconnected the call before both Oliverand Hallie could object. He lifted his arms and swung the crowbar into theglass, causing it to shatter into a million pieces.