Scorpio's Lot (129 page)

Forbes’ directive drew the
Piedpiper’s attention to the surrounding balcony, an ominous sight reflecting
eight officers whose firearms were ready and waiting. It was now decision time
for the Scorpio leader. The ultimatum was two-twofold. To exchange shots would
mean instant death and to reluctantly surrender would come the indignity and
public humiliation bestowed on such a person. The latter option would indeed be
the wiser choice, unless the thought of rotting in jail for the remainder of
one’s life was to become the decisive factor.

The lone figure surrounded by law
enforcement agents was a pathetic sight. Now having been stripped of any
possible volte-face, the criminal mastermind simply stood motionless with one
decision to make. Gone was the refuge of adjacent passageways and the ability
to transfer prosecution. With the absence of syndicate reinforcements and no
apparent escape, the Piedpiper’s reign appeared to be at an end. Scorpio was
now all but defunct thought the detective. How ironic for the ever cautious and
clever Piedpiper to be caught out by such an outsmarted and gullible ploy.

Believing surrender would now
become a mere formality, Forbes’ premature and foolish conduct had grossly
misjudged his enemy’s intentions. How naive to think the Piedpiper would simply
accept defeat without some form of resistance. This was no two-bit hoodlum he
was dealing with, but a mastermind of the criminal world who undoubtedly had a
trick or two up his sleeve.

Whilst maintaining a firearm
stalemate, the drug felon unexpectedly produced an ominous-looking object from
his left side coat pocket. The sight of this oblong shape promptly threw
caution to the wind. About the size of a cigarette packet, its sheer presence
had an immediate impact on the pompous detective. He stared at the dubious
device wondering what possible purpose it served. Did it possess a threat to
his men and was it possibly the Piedpiper’s final declaration of defiance?

Forbes cautiously took a step
forward. His adversary stood motionless holding the contraption close to his
body. Still mindful that the Piedpiper had hold of a gun, the detective decided
to improve his vision by slowly directing his torch on the disturbing object.
The powerful beam caught sight of a remote control, which explained why the
push button device was being held close at hand. To raise the unit at arm’s
length would only encourage a sniper to take aim. But what was its underlying
function?

Forbes decided to question the
intent. ‘What’s that remote in your hand for?’

The hooded figure remained
unmoved. Not a word was spoken. Was his game to become a hindrance or hoax?

Forbes hesitated, realising he
could no longer underestimate his assailant. He had the good sense to back
peddle a couple of steps to lessen the threat and ponder over the possible
consequences. Was the device intended to self-destruct the subterranean
network, whereby the entire underground complex would commence to disintegrate
at the Piedpiper’s command? Perhaps his imagination had got the better of him,
when in reality the remote control had lesser repercussions. But then again he
couldn’t dismiss the scoundrel for having catastrophic intentions. After all,
the blighter had nothing to lose and possibly for all intents and purposes it
was his plan to take all before him to a deep-lying grave.

Forbes was becoming agitated with
the continuing stalemate. There was need to make an arrest and reveal the
Piedpiper’s identity once and for all. He envisaged the hooded man’s gun to be
the lesser evil, sensing the control now took precedence in this insane
standoff. If only he could take possession and destroy the bloody device before
some predicament disclosed its ominous scheme. Growing impatient, the detective
took a step forward. The tight-lipped felon responded by raising the remote
forward and placing a finger on the control button. The mood had become
decisively tense. The remaining entourage looked on the confrontation with a
degree of nervousness. Forbes decided to call his bluff by taking a further
step.

The menacing crisis was
sufficient to entice the Piedpiper into carrying out the inevitable. A button
on the keypad was immediately pressed. The entire constabulary was aware of the
done deed. With bated breath the desperado’s audience waited for the resultant
aftermath. No sudden surprises were forthcoming, but all that was about to
quickly change.

Following a short time lag, the
distinct sound of the air compressor had recommenced its laborious motions. The
unexpected noise startled the police and in particular that of Forbes. What
could the Piedpiper possibly have in mind? The detective had had enough of this
nonsense and again stepped forward. A second remote control button was pushed.
The policeman ceased his advances. With a tilted head as if trying to improve
his ability to hear, he listened intently for any new sound. The compressor was
proving to be obtrusive, for any pending noise was quite possibly being drowned
out by the annoying mechanics.

Waiting, waiting for the
inevitable. Something would undoubtedly manifest itself. Then, as if on cue, a
strange and imposing sound greeted Forbes and his men. A rumbling noise of some
sorts was detected. It grew distinctly louder with each passing second, as if
picking up momentum on its approaching course. Forever drawing nearer, the
surging intensity had now rivaled and surpassed that of the compressor. Its
growing loudness was beginning to have an intimidating effect. The awaiting and
hesitant entourage appeared notably uncomfortable, wondering what sinister
presence would ultimately be unveiled. Nervously they stood in expectation of
some confronting hostility.

~ * ~

I
had been watching the unfolding drama from the rear of the balcony Forbes
appeared at a loss on how to handle the situation in light of this unforeseen
dilemma. His vulnerable position had not helped matters and I could sense the
Piedpiper was gaining the ascendancy in this absurd stalemate. The frightening
reality of this approaching pandemonium then suddenly manifested itself with
all its intended fury.

A flood of raging water had burst
through the adjoining passageways leading into the gallery below. The roar of
the watercourse was deafening as the torrent flow smashed its deluge against
the bluestone walls. So intense was its delivery, that any unfortunate soul
located below would be instantly washed down the tunnels and lost forever. It
had become an instant flood. In the space of a minute the gallery was literally
covered, the water level now commencing its frightening ascent. Everything from
lower level three and beyond would be on course to be submerged. Fortunately
the balconies were situated some five metres above the flood, but with the
constant water rise threatening to engulf the upper level, complacency would
now become a dangerous game.

So how did this happen? What
could possibly trigger such a vast amount of water to engulf all before it? I
could only surmise the compressor to be the source of energy, which in turn
engaged some remote mechanism to perform its duty. I then pieced together the
drug felon’s cunning logic and blunt intentions. Water on this scale could only
derive from the sea and Sapphire Bay. The air compressor had assisted in moving
some barricade that separated the subterranean network from the ocean. This had
become the Piedpiper’s final hope to create diversion and subsequently seek
refuge amidst the confusion and evacuation the floods would bring. He was
undoubtedly relying on Forbes to announce that their escape should be a case of
each man for himself. His own retreat would follow suit and with an intimate
knowledge of the network, a triumphant getaway appeared a mere formality.

On the assumption this was to
become the regional head’s plan, he had made a gross error in judgment.
Sapphire Bay was currently experiencing a high tide and therefore by the laws
of nature, water levels would soon commence their receding path. Logic told me
the floods had already reached or were near full capacity within the underground.
Water would soon begin to subside creating a déjà vu situation with the
Piedpiper in mind. The criminal would therefore be back to square one with a
pending arrest and ultimately this torrent water flood would be destined for
failure.

I could see that Forbes was
stunned by this outrageous attempt to create such a deplorable situation.
Whilst the entire assembly continued to stand on dry ground, water levels had
now climbed to within a couple of metres from the gallery’s surrounding
balcony. Forbes was becoming decisively uneasy Despite the criminal’s apparent
weaponry, he had to make a move and restrain the Piedpiper before this deluge
engulfed their very presence. Maintaining the stalemate from a short distance,
he indicated to his men to step forward and surround the scoundrel. This
standoff had gone way beyond its expiry. Besides, the time was right for the
immediate water had settled to a moderate influx, in stark contrast to the
roaring sound from beneath. Possibly the crater being inundated with mega
volumes of the damn stuff I thought.

I decided enough was enough with
this pending deluge. There stood the Piedpiper a short distance away and I was
still restrained for some bloody unknown reason.

‘Can someone take these handcuffs
off?’ I called, wondering when the police would come to their senses.

Forbes simply gave me a passing
glance, appearing to be preoccupied with the water encroaching on the balcony
walkway. The man was a bastard at the best of times, but this blatant disregard
for my predicament was inexcusable.

Then, without warning, an
incredible surge of undercurrent quickly raised the water level above the
balcony floor. In an instant the platform became immersed. With the deluge
continuing to rise, it was Forbes’ cue to vacate the immediate surrounds. He
signaled toward the appropriate exit, ensuring the Piedpiper followed suite at
a respectable distance. His four troopers brought up the rear to deny the
criminal any avenue for escape.

Realising my dilemma with the
worsening crisis, Marsh quickly stepped forward and released my handcuffs as we
commenced our exodus. I was grateful that some common sense finally prevailed.

The sudden gush of ascending
water had caught the Piedpiper off guard. This excessive influx was not
anticipated. I looked across at the blighter and for a brief moment I sensed
the drug lord was contemplating the use of a firearm. It quickly became
apparent that the hooded felon thought the wiser of his options. Through his
own doing he was left with no choice but to accompany the constabulary to
higher ground. To remain behind would invariably acquaint to drowning, and
besides, the gallery had reverted to subdued lighting with the felon’s torch
falling victim to the unrelenting flood.

The roar of the torrent from
below had drowned out all other sounds, including that of the compressor.
Communication had become a shouting match in the desperate struggle to flee
this worsening crisis. They proceeded down a darkened corridor, their one
saving grace being the helmet lights. The overflow continued to rise rapidly
around their bodies. Now waist deep in these murky waters, the stairway to
level two was still fifty metres away. Exhausted, with many beginning to choke
from water intake, the struggle to maintain an upright balance was proving a
challenge, particularly with the torrent sweeping from behind. The subterranean
river was now approaching chest height, the burden made more difficult by the
weight of heavy clothing and boots. The air had become stifling as oxygen was
starting to deplete. The distance between the water and passageway ceiling was
noticeably reduced.

I couldn’t help but think what a
bizarre set of circumstances was before me. Here I struggled to maintain an
upright balance, while the pompous Forbes continued in search of a nearby
stairway. Additionally, public enemy number one was sandwiched between the
constabulary in our plight to rid this godforsaken place. Circumstances had
momentarily put differences aside since survival now commanded priority. With
the increasing surrounding dangers I was beginning to think that someone would
invariably fall victim to these ascending water levels. The struggle was
intense as the entourage slowly progressed in advancing pairs.

The passageway’s restrictive
width seemed to intensify the power of the water. With unrelenting repetition,
it swirled and leapt off the blue-stone walls engulfing all before it. The
deluge assault was now directed from all fronts and breathing had suddenly
become an arduous task.

Then disaster struck. The current
threw Gallagher and Marsh forward, causing both men to fall beneath the murky
waters. Their helmets lights were immediately extinguished. Near darkness
coupled with an unrelenting torrent would make for a near-impossible rescue.
Forbes roared at his two remaining detectives to commence searching.
Unfortunately the four SOG troopers were bringing up the rear behind the
Piedpiper and some ten metres away from the drama. Distance ruled out any
possible assistance. I quickly joined the remaining three detectives, desperate
to find their submerged colleagues. Lack of light was proving to be the major
hindrance, as I blindly guided both arms through the water in search of a body.