The alarm clock rang loudly in Jay’s ears. He rolled over and reached out to turn it off. It was times like this he questioned why he worked as a police officer. He wasn’t fond of getting up at two in the morning, but he had to get showered, dressed in his police uniform, and get to the operation candy sweep offices. They’d been planning a series of drug raids, and the sixth of June was the day for the dawn raid on a house in New Cross, south-east London.

It was three-thirty when Jay arrived at the offices. He parked his car, locked it, and walked toward the entrance of the building. When he reached the door, he buzzed the intercom system, stood in front of the camera, and held his officer’s identity card at the side of his head.

After a few seconds, the door buzzed. Jay pushed it open and walked into the reception area. He greeted the security guards and walked to the automated barrier entry system where he swiped his card, then walked through when the barrier opened.

Jay took the elevator to the eighth floor. When the doors opened, he got out and walked toward the candy sweep operation room. He turned the door handle, opened the door and walked into the room. All heads turned in his direction. There were five people sat around the conference table. Jay instantly recognised his long-term partner in crime, Ricky. One of the other faces was familiar, but he’d never seen the other people.

Detective Chief Inspector Hawkins was sat at the head of the table facing him. He looked at Jay and beckoned him to join them. “We’re still waiting for a couple of the armed officers to arrive, Jay. Take a seat and talk among yourselves while we’re waiting.”

Jay nodded, walked toward the conference table and sat next to Ricky. He patted him on the shoulder and smiled. “How ya doing, buddy?”

“Yeah, I’m cool. Fired up and raring to go.”

“So you think we’re gonna score tonight?”

“I bloody hope so. The little shit has been dealing for way too long. I can feel it in my water tonight’s gonna be our night. He needs to be put down, and fast. It makes me sick knowing he’s selling drugs to young kids. What kind of scumbag pushes drugs at schools?”

Jay shook his head. “The lowest of the low, mate. But that’s why we joined the drug squad. To make sure the streets of London are cleaned up and made a safer place. And so that unscrupulous evil monsters like Andy Pearson are put away for good.”

“Yeah. Well, I’m taking tonight personal.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Ricky blew out air and shook his head. “Don’t tell Hawkins, but my daughter and her best friend went to a festival at the weekend.”

“And?”

“And…some fucker sold her friend some gear that completely screwed her up. She’s been in a coma for two days, and the doctors don’t know what she’ll be like when she comes out of it. I’m just so thankful my baby’s got more sense and doesn’t take drugs. By Christ, I’ve warned her enough times about the dangers of taking them. Some of the shit on the street these days is lethal and has killed young kids. I’ve seen things on the TV and social media. Kids are taking their lives into their own hands these days when they take drugs.”

“Yeah. You don’t need to tell me. I’m fully aware.”

The door handle clicked. Jay turned, and two officers walked into the room.

DCI Hawkins cleared his throat. “Right, come on guys. Sit yourselves down, and then we can make a start.”

The two officers sat down on the first available seats facing Jay and Ricky.

DCI Hawkins stood up. “Right, ladies and gents. I’ve had an update from the two plain-clothed officers who’ve been keeping Andy Pearson’s property under surveillance since nine this evening. At the moment, it’s not good news for us. His girlfriend is with him, along with two other men, and we don’t know who they are. They could be friends, Andy’s dealers, or his supplier. I suspect it’s not the latter, because a supplier is highly unlikely to go to a dealer’s house no matter how big they are. The surveillance officers have confirmed nobody’s left the house and there are no lights on inside. That indicates they’ve gone to bed. It’s only a two-bedroom house, so one of the guys could be sleeping on the sofa. Failing that, they all got high and the two guys are in the same bed shagging the arse off each other.”

All the officers, apart from Jay, laughed. He looked down at the table. His cheeks burned. He didn’t know if he was more embarrassed that Hawkins had just outed him to people he didn’t know, or if he was angry. Jay looked up and glared at DCI Hawkins.

“Oh dear. I’m sorry, Jay. I was just trying to make light of a difficult situation. Please don’t take any offence.”

Jay raised his eyebrows and tilted his head. “No offence taken, sir. Us gays get it from all walks of life, so I’ve developed a tough skin over the years.” Jay looked at the other officers in turn and smiled sarcastically.

“Anyway. Going back to tonight. The other guys aren’t our priority for tonight. We’ll take them into custody and question them, but let’s focus on Andy.”

An officer raised his hand.

“Yes, Marshall.”

“Do we know if they’re armed, sir?”

“Hmm. We can’t be sure, but they could be. If not with guns, they’ll probably have knives, machetes, or swords.” DCI Hawkins looked around the table at each officer. “All of you be on guard. I don’t want any casualties on our side. Expect the unexpected, work as a team, and take good care of each other. Understood?”

The officers nodded. “Right. I think you all know what the plan is, but let’s have a quick recap. Ricky, Jay and WPC Collman—you’re taking the back entrance. Focus on the kitchen and lounge. The rest of you will be going through the front door. As soon as you’re in, go to the bedrooms. That’s where most of them, if not all of them, are likely to be.”