Bang! The station door rattled closed. Steve strode into the station. Hearing the commotion Jake popped his head around the door of the locker room.

'Aye up Steve. Next time just knock the door of the hinges why don't you!'�.

'Shut up Muppet.'� Steve Laughed. 'I like to make an entrance'�.

Steve walked into the locker room. The station was empty. As Steve changed into his uniform he asked Jake for the list of outstanding calls. It was well thumbed and had got quite a few of the calls crossed out. What was left was the usual mix of anti-social calls. Youths hanging around on corners drinking and being noisy, or riding scooters through parks and on pavements, that sort of thing.

He grabbed his utility belt, fastened it and got his CS gas from the locker shaking it well before putting it in its holder. Grabbing his radio from the locker and attaching his earpiece, he walked back round to the sergeants office.

'How many are on tonight Jake'�. Steve said as he quickly checked his emails. There was nothing much, a few id requests and a reminder about a training evening coming up. Jake mentioned that there was only a couple of regular officers on that night. There had been a big incident further south. A big gas explosion. Steve had caught a snippet on the radio as he drove in. Quite a few people had been killed and injured. Police, Firemen and ambulances has been drafted in from the surrounding area.

'well, we'd better get on with it then.'�. Steve said as he put a fresh battery in his radio. Steve called up control on the radio and booked the two officers' on duty. They were assigned their usual mobile call sign, Echo Papa one.

Cool air wafted in as Jake opened the door and went out to get the car ready. Walking around the building, checking the doors, Steve checked everything was locked and left the station getting into the car.

'You're worse than a woman when it comes to getting ready'�. Jake laughed at Steve as he set off.
'First call, Jackson street. A group of youths playing football and behaving in an anti social manner, threatening locals and being loud.'�

'Bread and Butter mate. Bread and butter'�.

They drove down the streets keeping an eye out for any problems as they went. Steve caught the eye of a few pedestrians as they drove past and nodded a polite greeting.

'How's things at work Steve'�. Jake asked pulling up at a set of traffic lights.

'Oh, not so good.'�.

Steve was a computer programmer for a large hospitality provider. He had been with the company for seven years, but recently he had grown dis-enchanted with his role. The older he got, the more he realised that his present role in life didn't satisfy his need to be of value. That's why he had joined the Specials. He wanted to do something important. To put something back and make a difference to people.

'Not much work on at the moment and sitting there all day when it's a gorgeous outside is pretty soul destroying to be honest'�.

'Still thinking of joining the Regular Police force?'�.

'Tempted mate, really tempted. Just the paperwork. I could do the police work, no worries there, but all the paper work would drive me insane. I'll see how this year goes and decide then'�.

'Sounds like a plan mate. Right, we're nearly there, keep an eye out for these youths'�.

They came around a corner and sure enough there was a group of about ten lads playing football up against a set of garages. There was the usual mix of baseball caps and hooded tops. Jake pulled the Police car up till it was nearly at the side of the group. A few of the lads had given the car sideways glances, one of the lads had walked off. Steve got out of the car and approached the group of lads.

'Alright lads, having a nice evening? What are you all up to?'� Steve glanced at the group as he spoke, making sure he was not in a vulnerable position and keeping a smile in his face. Steve made it a habit to always try to start with a smile and pleasantries. He could always change his approach if needed.

'What do you fucking think we're doing pig'�. A voice from the group said.

'who was that?'� Steve glanced around, but all he saw was blank looks and he could hear a few sniggers here and there.

'Right lads, I'm not swearing at you, so don't you go swearing at me. I'm warning you now, if we have any more of that language then I will be handing out fines for public order offences, am I making myself clear?'� Steve made sure he glanced at each lad one at a time giving them a stern look. There were a few nods and a few more blank stares.

'Good! Now, we can do this here, or we can go back to the station, the choice is yours. If you play ball with me, not literally of course, Then I'll play ball with you. Understand?'�

Steve again looked around the group. His words were having an effect. His was adopting a stern but approachable demeanour and the lads were starting to adopt a less confrontational stance. When he was being tutored his training officer and always hammered in to him that your behaviour affects their behaviour which affects your behaviour and so on.

Are you all going to listen to me? Good. We've had a complaint from one of the residents about you lads'�.

'Fuck that, its that fucking old fart'�, One of the lads started to say, looking at Steve's stern face he started again. 'Sorry, I mean it's the old bloke who lives on the end. He's always giving us a hard time. We're only playing football, what's wrong with that? He comes out calling us little F's, F'ing this and F'ing that as if he owns the place. Tells us we're all hooligans and time wasters. So we give it back to him. Where else are we going to play?'� The lad stared defiantly as he spoke to Steve.

Jake, tapped Steve on the shoulder.

'You got this in hand mate? Good, I'll pop up and have a word with the complainant. See you in a mo'� Jake went to the flats and disappeared up the stairs.

'Look lads. Fairs fair. You're kicking your ball up against those metal garage doors. That's making a right racket; people don't want to hear that. They come home tired wanting to relax and all they can hear is you lads being loud and kicking the ball against their garages. Not only that, but those garages are owned by the people in these flats. They see a group of lads down here and they feel intimidated and don't want to come down to use their cars. Look there's a park over there, can't you play in that'�.

'It's full of druggies and needles'�. The first lad spoke again.

'what's your name son?'�

'Glynn'�.

'Well Glynn, show me these needles, The rest of you lads stay here. Don't want any of you stepping on anything sharp'�.

'Glynn took Steve to the park and within a few minutes had pointed out used condoms, needles and empty foils'�.

Steve walked around the park. It was disgusting. He got some plastic bags out of his utility belt and put on his surgical gloves. As he walked around the park he picked up as many syrnges as he could. If one of the lads cut themselves on one of these, they could catch all kinds of diseases.

"Where's the nearest doctors surgery Glynn?"

"round the corner, near the co-op, couple of minutes away, why?"

"Because they'll have a used needle bin. There's no excuse for just dropping them on the floor like this. I'll have to make an example of a few, but don't worry son, I'll get this sorted."

They walked back to the group and Steve spoke to Glynn in a more friendly manner.

'Ok Glynn. Good point well made. I can see why you don't want to play in there. But you can't play against those garages. I don't want to keep getting called back here all night and I can see your not bad lads, so how about you and me do a deal?'�

'What kind of deal'�, Glynn looked a little suspicious but interested all the same.

'Well, first of all you lads move on tonight. Either go home, or find somewhere to play were you aren't annoying everyone.'�

'Ooooh that's just not on is it?'�.

Steve interrupted him. 'Now just hear me out Glynn. As I was saying. Then tomorrow, I'll put a call in with the council to come and get the park cleaned up. Also I'll leave a message with my sergeant so that we can monitor the park and get any undesirables locked up, so you lads can start using it again. How's about that? Deal?'�.

'Ok'�, Glynn said, 'Deal, we'll move on, don't forget what you said'�.

'Good man! Don't worry I'll be as good as my word'�.

Steve headed back for the car, Jake was coming out of flats and was heading back to the vehicle.

'Sorted?'� Jake said to Steve.

'Sorted'�.

'He's an angry man'�, Jakes said as he sat down. 'Gave him some words of wisdom about speaking to the lads in future. Either talk to them properly, or call us. Every other word is swearing, no wonder they kick off with him. They'll just mouth off at him to get a reaction the way he talks.'�

'Communication, that's half the problem isn't it, no-one talks properly to each other. I'll call control and right it off then'�. Steve said making notes in his notebook.

Steve called control to right off the call. Requesting the council clear the park and leaving a message for his sergeant. Like so many of the youth disorder problems in this area, it was part the kids and part the adults that where to blame. Better communication on both sides would help.

Jake pulled out and resumed. Steve gave the kids a friendly wave as they went past and most of the kids responded in kind. They decided to patrol one of the local estates that was experiencing a rise in nuisance youth incidents at the moment. It was a large estate that was in the process of being knocked down. Trouble was, lots of the houses where just left empty. They had not been boarded up at all. This meant that it was a magnet to some of the kids, who went in to smash the windows, hang out and just be loud. Sure enough as they turned onto the estate half a dozen kids could be seen running out of the abandoned houses and out of the way.

'Wish the council would get these empty houses boarded up quickly'� Jake said glancing at Steve.

They turned down a little road between the houses and saw more kids making a hasty retreat.

'We'll pull up when we've circled the block and do some Hi Viz patrolling Steve'�. Jake said pulling up in between two skips.

'Non of the councillors live round here do they? So they're not bothered about the problems these abandoned houses cause. Now if we where coming up to an election, it would be a different story'�.

Steves reply was cut short by the radio.

'Control to any mobile unit. Is anyone available to attend an immediate at Claywheels Lane'�.

'Hey Jake, where only two minutes away from that. We'll take it.'�.

'Control from Echo Papa one, show us attending, Can you give me more information about that incident'�. Steve spoke while making scribbled notes in his notebook.

'It was an anonymous caller, Echo Papa One. They didn't leave much info, just called in a disturbance'�.

'Received control'�.

'Well mate. Who knows what we're getting involved in here. Could be anything'�. Steve said to Jake, taking out his CS gas and giving it another shake just in case.

Jake was one of the few Response trained specials.

'Do the honours mate.'� Jake said with a smile.

Steve hit the blues and twos and Jake pulled out from between the skips. Doing the fastest three point turn Steve had seen he set off down the street at speed. The car leaned right over around a corner and Jake had to stick the brakes on as a confused motorist pulled in front of him. Jake flashed his headlights at the motorist and hit the siren button that made a huge honking noise. The motorist pulled out of the way at last and looked sheepishly back at the two policemen. He hadn't even got his seat belt on. As they sped past Steve pulled on his seat belt and pointed. He got the message and the last site Steve had was of him putting on his seatbelt.

Steve had one hand on his seat belt release and the other on the door handle, ready to make a fast exist when they arrived on scene. They where approaching the junction to Clay Wheels lane now. The car sped around it and Jake slowed down. This road was not very long and they needed to see where about the disturbance could be. No one appeared to be stirring anywhere. The sirens and the lights where off, just the police sign illuminated so their presence could be seen.

'Stop! Down that alley, can you see? Man and a woman'�. Steve released his seat belt and was out of the car in a flash. Jake was just behind him, hitting the remote to lock the doors as he went. They ran down the alley closing the gap between themselves and the people as fast as possible.

'Hold it. Police Officers'�. Steve shouted at the two people.

Steve and Jake stopped a couple of feet away from the two. They where side by side but slightly facing each. The two people where startled and turned to face the officers. It was a man and a women, both in their twenties and both looking very drunk. The man had hold of the woman's shoulder. There was something glinting in the mans other hand.

'knife'�. Jake said in a matter of fact way.

'Get back you bastards, we don't need you'�. The male shouted.

'Calm down mate. What's up? Why have you got a knife?'�

'Its her init. This slapper here. She's been showing me up'�.

'Come on fella, lets keep the insults down. What's your name? I can't keep calling you fella can I?'� Steve said.

'Stan.'�

'What's your friend called?'�

'She's Jemma, she was me girlfriend, before she started whoring it up'�.

'I wasn't doing anything babe, honest. I don't know what's up. I don't know why he's so cross'� Jemma said, pleading with her eyes to the two officers.

'SHUT UP!'� Stan spun her around and pinned her against the wall of the alley. He stuck the knife at her throat.

'I loved you bitch, and you did this to me'�. Stan was screaming at the top of his lungs. Spittle flew from his mouth. He'd got the knife pressed so tightly to her throat that it was leaving a red mark behind.

'Calm down Stan. Don't do something your going to regret. You've both had a bit of drink, if you calm down it will all seem different tomorrow.'�

Steve was using a gentle but firm tone, trying to calm the man down, tryingto get through the alcohol fueled temper to the man inside. The man was working himself up into a frenzy, the pattern was clear. He needed to calm down now before he got out of control. CS would just make him thrash about wildly with the knife. There was hardly enough room to swing a baton and hand to hand techniques with a knife holder, even a drunken one was not the best idea.

'I was only dancing with him, honest babe. Nothing else. It's you I love you know that'�, Jemma was pulling and struggling away from Stan.

'Stan! Don't do something in the heat of the moment that you'll regret for the rest of your life. Come on. Hand me the knife and we can talk about it. Everything seams better when it's shared.'� Jake was edging closer as he spoke. He new he had Steve backing him up

'Fuck ya!'� Stan pulled the knife back and lashed out with it, Jake pushed Jemma out of the way and the knife hit him in the chest. Steve seeing Jake get stabbed, reacted by deploying his batten. He swung it at Stan's arm as best he could in the limited space. He hit him in the bicep causing him to pull his arm in, he then struck at his thigh. Stan's legs buckled under him. He collapsed in a heap on the floor. Steve half turned to Jake while keeping his attention on Stan.

'Jake! Mate. You ok, you need an ambulance?'� Steve had a nasty feeling that the blade had missed the top of the stab vest and gone into his friends throat.

'alright mate, alright. Just caught the armour. Didn't do any damage at all.'� Stan said. 'Get his knife before he comes to his senses and grabs it again'�.

That's when Steve noticed the blood. He crouched down next to Stan and tried to see where it was coming from. Jemma noticed at the same time.

'What have you done? You've killed him. YOU KILLED HIM.'� She screamed.

She had grabbed hold of Stan and was trying to turn him over. Steve moved over to her and grabbed her arm.

'Don't do that, you'll make it worse. Calm down and stand over here, let me and Jake do our job'�.

He guided her out of the way, she was still shouting and struggling, but Steve used a steady voice and a firm hand to move her where he wanted her to be. One of the local pubs was emptying out and a group of intoxicated men was starting to gather.

'Don't like the look of this Jake, this could turn nasty if we're not careful'� Steve made sure that he could see Jake at all times.

'Time for backup mate'� Jake said pressing the Microphone button.

'Control from Echo Papa One'�.

'Go ahead Echo Papa One'�.

'We're at the incident in Claywheels lane. The suspect has fallen on his knife in the struggle and we need ambulance immediately. Also there is a crowd gathering and we need backup. Over'�.

'Stand by Echo Papa One'�.

Jake went over to Steve who was kneeling on the floor beside Stan. Steve Had his hand around the knife with a plastic bag under it.

'He's got a sucking wound to the chest Jake. We need to get him to the hospital fast or he's going to have a collapsed lung'�.

The crowd had started mulling around, one of them recognised Jemma and started talking to her.

'Hi Jemma. What's happened to Stan. I saw you two having a row, is he pissed or what? Is that'�That's blood. Shit! What happened'�.

'I don't know Jane. We was arguing, he was waving his knife about. That one he always carries, to prove he's hard. Then these two coppers turn up, next thing I know he's been stabbed'�.

'What? You mean they did it to him'�.

'Well they were struggling with him, next thing he's been stabbed'�.

'John, did you hear that'�. Jane shouted to a man in the crowd. 'She says the police did this'�.

'Oy, copper. What you doing to my mate'�. John moved over to Steve and drunkenly tapped him on the shoulder.

'Copper, I'm talking to you. That's my mate. What you done?'�

'Right, come on, move back. Give us room to work here. Move back'�. Steve had seen the crowd building and it needed controlling before the situation got out of hand. It really needed more officers, but they had to make do with what they had. Steve pulled open Stans shirt and taped a plastic bag over the knife and the would helping to stop air leaking into the mans chest cavity. He had put bandages around the wound to help control the bleeding, but he needed hospital treatment quick.

Steve carried on moving the crowd back. He adopted a loud commanding tone and physically moved some of the less compliant people back until he had a good space around Jake and Stan.

'Echo Papa One from control'�. The radios blurted into life.

'go ahead control '. Jake responded first.

'There is no available backup at the moment. The only other two available officers are in the middle of a prisoner escort and are not redeploy able. As for the ambulance, it will take an hour. There's no spare capacity because of the gas explosion. Received?'�

'He needs hospital treatment now control. Surely there has to be something available'�

'Nothing Echo Papa One. Is he movable? Can you get him into the car and take him yourself?'�

'Roger control. We have no choice, we'll do our best. Over and out'�

Steve and Jake exchanged glances. Stan was unconscious, that was a blessing. Steve went to the car and opened the back door ready. The crowd was still restless.

'Come on Jake, lets get him in the car and get out of here'�.

'We need a stretcher mate. If we move him too much with that knife in him its going to cause more damage.'� Jake said.

Steve went across to Jemma.

'Jemma, We need to get Stan to hospital. we need a stretcher. Get some of your mates to hunt around. We need something like a couple of planks that we can carry him on'�.

'There's a building site around the corner, there's bound to be something on there.'� Jemma said.

'Good thinking, go and get us some Jemma'�.

Jemma took a couple of her friends and disappeared around the side of the pub. Steve went back to Jake.

'Hows he holding up?'�

'So far so good, but his pulse is weak and I don't like his colour much. He's getting pretty pale.'� Jake said.

Jemma and her friends returned with a scaffolding plank. They laid it down beside Stan.

'Perfect, Thanks Jemma'�. Steve said holding his thumb up and smiling at her to provide some reassurance.

Steve went across to Stan and put the plank close behind him. They both slowly rolled Stan over until he was laid on the plank. Using they're leg restraints they tied them around Stand legs and chest above the knife. They wanted him as still as possible to restrict any damage. Grabbing the plank, they both carried Stan and slid him onto the back seat of the Police car. It was a tight fir but he just about fitted in. When he was secure in the car, Steve went across to Jemma, who was still talking to her friend and was sobbing from time to time.

'Jemma, we're taking him to hospital now. You can squeeze in the front if you want.'�

'Ok'�, Jemma sniffed. 'I'll talk to you tomorrow Jane'�.

Steve walked beside her back to the car and held the door open for her. When she was in he climbed into the back. Stan was laying across the back seat so Steve had to sit on the floor supporting Stan to stop him sliding forward.

'Right hold on everyone, we need to make this quick'�.

Jake hit the sirens and the lights and set off at speed to the hospital.

'Echo Papa One to control'�. Steve called up control.

'Go ahead Echo Papa One'�.

'Inform Blank Street Hospital that we are on way to them with a patient. We will pull up in the ambulance bay and we need medics to be waiting. Over'�.

'Roger Echo Papa One.'�.

'Let them know he has a sucking wound to the chest and has lost a lot of blood'�. Steve added.

'Received'�,

Jake was an expert driver and he controlled the car fantastically on the way. Although they were travelling at speed, the car was graceful around corners and slowed and sped up without jerking. It was getting late and the roads were reasonably empty. A few speed cameras were triggered as they went though. That was something for the report.

The hospital came into view and Jake slowed down to a more reasonable pace. As they entered the ambulance bay some medics came around with a dolly.

'Hello lads, what have we got here then?'�. The medic had opened the back door and was giving an initial examination to the patient.

Steve filled him in on the nights events.

'Well, he's no worse for the trip chaps. Lets get him on the gurney and get him out of your hands'�.

Between them they managed to once again man handle him onto the gurney and he was taken into the hospital. Jemma was passed onto the doctors and she went with them.

'Right, that's its then Steve. I think we can call it a night at that. We'll have to pass this one on to control and some other officers will have to come and have a word with Stan tomorrow about his behaviour and his offensive weapon. Call it in Steve'�.

Steve called control and passed the job on.

'Can you book us both off for the evening now control?'�

'Roger lads and thanks for your assistance tonight'�.

'Your welcome control. Over and out'�.

'Right Jake, lets go get changed'�.

The next day Steve was at his desk as always. He was a bit tired because of the late finish, but had a satisfied feeling of a job well done. He had got very little work on and was sat testing some programs and thinking of the night before. He had received an e-mail from his sergeant telling him that Stan was making good progress, he had been charged with carrying an offensive weapon and threatening behaviour. Also Jake and Steve were both going to receive a thank you letter from the Chief Constable for saving a mans life and providing valuable cover when needed. Steve smiled, he didn't do the work for the thanks, but they were nice all the same. Mark, one of his work colleagues approached him.

'You see that new program last night, crime on the streets? It was excellent. Its one of those police reality programs.'�

'No I was out with the Specials last night'�.

'Oh yeah, you said. Why on earth do you still do that? I bet its dead boring. Your just their for show aren't you. Hobby Bobby's. They won't let you do any REAL police work'�.

'Its better than sitting at home watching the telly.'� Steve said.

'Yeah? Get up to much'� Mark asked.

'Nothing much'� Steve answered ' just routine patrol.'�



THE
END

Want to comment on this Short Stories? Sign up to Edit Red and you will be able to comment on Short Stories and get access to: Upload your own stories and poems, get readers and their feedback, promote your work...