Chapter 15

Graham Stewart Inch born 18/04/72 in St Gandhi's hospital Camden.

Graham watched his birth certificate go up in flames and burn to ash. He dropped the smouldering embers into the fire along with his driving licence, passport and his credit cards. All he had left on him was his cash and a picture of his 3 children. How quickly you can destroy an entire life he thought as he stared into the flames. Still that was the past and there was no point dwelling on the past. He didn't have a future of that he was certain so the only thing to focus on was the present and the job in hand.

Graham made his way out of the park and stopped under a tree opposite the house he was heading to. A car was parked outside and he saw 2 men; one middle aged and white, the other younger and black exit the vehicle and make their way up the front steps. Graham could spot a cop a mile off and these two stank of the law. They may as well of had their siren blaring and be in uniform. Undercover my arse he thought as he approached the vehicle. In the back was a gentleman who Graham thought he recognised. He was looking about shiftily and kept playing with the locks on the door to see if they worked still. Graham crept up slowly on the car. The guy in the back must be a criminal who the detectives had caught and were escorting to the station. Who knows what ghastly crimes he had committed to get arrested on Christmas Eve. Probably a domestic. He looked like the kind of guy who would sock his wife in the chest after a few too many Stellas. Graham was getting angry just looking at the back of his head. He slipped his hand into his inside jacket pocket and felt the trigger as he creeped up alongside the passenger door.


Susie Scrooge brought in a tray with tea and shortbread on it. She set it on the table and sat facing the two detectives in her living room.
'So this guy is coming here to kill me is that what you're saying?'
'Not quite' the older white one began. 'We believe he is after your brother but we have suspicions he may use you in some way to get to him.'
'Well he needs to get his facts right because anyone who's ever turned on a TV would know that me and Edward are not exactly on the best of terms. In fact I highly doubt he would be particularly bothered if I was murdered by this psychopath.'
'Nevertheless we've sent for an unmarked squad car to wait outside your house until we capture this guy.' Susie got up and went to the window. She turned back to face them.
'So where will you two be spending Christmas? With the wife and kids?'
'I'm not married' said the older white one eating a Bounty. 'I think it's too late for that. If I ever got down on one knee for a broad she'd just see my bald patch and run a mile. Nope all that romance stuff has sailed for me I'm afraid.' The younger black detective shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Susie sat down again.
'So, have you got any leads? How long before you arrest this nutjob?'
The young black one got up. 'I'm afraid we cannot divulge that information Miss Scrooge.'
'You mean you haven't got a clue where he is except he might show up on my doorstep at any minute carrying a shotgun and my brothers severed head.' She paused. 'Would probably still be the best Christmas present I get this year. Tell me something detective. Have you been to see Edward yet?'
Hawk felt the wound in his hand. 'Yes we have.'
'And he told you to go fuck yourselves didn't he?'
'He shot me in the hand with a rifle.' She stifled a smirk. Hawk ignored her and checked his Bounty wrapper.
Sorry. Better Luck Next Time
'Well detective as much as I appreciate everything you are trying to do to protect my family I fear that I may have to mirror my brothers response. Besides do you really think this Inch guy is crazy enough to just turn up on my doorstep?'
'Well at the moment it seems like the most logica....
'DETEEECTIVE!!!!'
The scream was deafening and could have woken the entire road. Maxwell reacted quickly. He pulled out his piece and ran for the door. Hawk got up, knocking biscuits everywhere and followed him. As he got outside he followed the barrel of Maxwells canon to see what he was aiming at. By their car Graham Inch stood with his shotgun aimed firmly at Simon Leebers chest.

'Put the fucking gat down Inch!' Maxwell was shouting. Graham just smiled.
'Come on this guys a criminal. I'm keeping the streets clean. Like Travis Bickle'
'He's not a criminal Graham' Hawk shouted firmly. 'His name is Simon Leeber and he's the original winner of Star House.' Graham peered at Simon closely.
'Oh yeah I thought I recognised him. Oh well.' He lowered the gun. Passed his chest and belly. Past his groin and onto his leg. There he paused for a second. Then he fired.
A shotgun wound at close range to the leg does as much damage as you would expect. In other words fucking lots. Simons leg was blown nearly clean off and he collapsed on the ground in screams. Graham was knocked backwards from the blast onto the floor. Maxwell ran over and kicked the gun out of his hand. He pulled him up and bent him over the bonnet.
'Graham Inch I am arresting you for all kinds of crazy shit. You do not have to say anything but it may harm your defence if you fail to mention anything that you later rely on in court. He spun him round to look him in the eye. Graham smiled at him again.
'Did you like the Deteeective shout? I copied it off Se7en. Great flick. Oh and by the way DI Maxwell if you have anything urgent to say to DCI Hawk I suggest you do it now'.
Maxwell looked at him puzzled. Then he glanced over at Hawk standing over Simon. He briefly saw the red dot on his neck before somewhere nearby someone pulled the trigger of a sniper rifle. Blood sprayed from Hawks neck and he fell down to the ground in a lifeless pool of red.