IC - 24 - They Think It's All Over

[Mephistophilis]

The control room confirms that the car belongs to a James Williams and is registered to this address.

[Mr. Handy]

"All right, let's look for flat number 2," says Jocelyn.

[Philulhu]

Peering at the block of flats, Kris adjusted his tactical vest so it felt more comfortable. ”PC Gray come with me,” he said. ”We’ll go to the front door. Everyone else, stay here to cover the rear in case he tries to make a break for it. If we get access to the flat we’ll call you in. Ok?”

[Mr. Handy]

"All right," says Jocelyn. "Be careful."

[Silver Priest]

"Please," Simon adds. "And if there's any standoff do keep in mind I excel at that sort of thing."

[Mephistophilis]

OOC:   So the entrance to the block of flats is behind that rattan fence you can see in the picture, with the cars parked outside. The rear of the block of flats is actually open, no garden, and is just looking out onto a road, as is the left side. You don't know if the flats run all the way from front to back or whether they are divided up. So Kris and Grey can go to the front door and try and get in that way, but there isn't a super clear 'back', there's a rear, that abuts the road, there's a left side, also against the road, and a right side, which has a bit of patio and a small amount of grass then a fairly high wall with another estate beyond it. Since you don't know where the back of Williams's flat is you're going to need to be more specific about who is where.

[Mr. Handy]

I'll stay with the car, in case someone tries to flee and we need to pursue. I'll park it at the rear.

[Philulhu]

I had a look on Google Maps but couldn’t find the property (Mickelfield Road is a loooong road…)

Is it somewhere Kris would know or is it too far off his manor?

[Mephistophilis]

Micklefield is very much Kris's manor. He'd know it well, it is just to the east of town. I don't necessarily use exact addresses but since you asked, below is the Google Maps image of the flats, marked with an A for the white BMW, and a B for where the police cars have parked initially, although I understand Jocelyn wants to move a car onto Micklefield Road at the 'rear' of the flats.

[Philulhu]

Kris studied the block carefully. ”I don’t think it goes front to back,” he said. “If the suspect’s there and he makes a break for it, he’s likely to go out of the window at the side so keep an eye out on that.”

Jocelyn - if you want to move the car then we’ll go in.”

[Mr. Handy]

"Right," says Jocelyn. She drives the car into position and keeps it running, just in case.

[Silver Priest]

Simon also keeps watch in the car, anxiously looking around.

[Philulhu]

Seeing that his colleagues were in position, Kris approached the front door. Keeping to one side, he reached over and knocked three times.

[Mephistophilis]

Kris approaches the door to the flats and knocks. There's no answer. He does notice there's an intercom by the door with flats numbered 1 to 6. There's no name in the little plastic cover for number 2. There's also a 'Service' buzzer at the bottom. He peers through the door which has a big clear pane of glass but can't see much inside except for a stairwell and some metal post boxes.

[Mr. Handy]

Jocelyn watches, ready in case anything happens.

[Philulhu]

Kris leant over and pressed the ‘Service’ button on the keypad.

[Mephistophilis]

The buzzer rings and Kris tries the door but it doesn't open. The buzzer continues for a few minutes and then stops.

[Philulhu]

Kris waited for the buzzer to cease then he pressed number 6.

[Mephistophilis]

The buzzer rings for another minute then it stops and an angry male voice comes over the intercom. 'Fuck off. I've told you toerags before. If he doesn't answer he's not in. Ring his number, I know you've got that. But leave me a-fucking-lone!'

[Philulhu]

”This is DC Sapru from Thames Valley CID. Could you open the door, please,” said Kris evenly. It sounded as if someone in the block was a dealer - he’d have words with the neighbour at number 6 once they’d braced their target.