“Why’s that back in operation?” Don demanded of no one in particular, pulling a mobile phone from his pocket. “Blast! Anyone know where Jasper Caldecott is; he’s not answering?”
“I’ll check…” The security supervisor started tapping away at a computer. “He swiped off-site an hour ago.”
Don scowled as he glanced at his watch and tried Jasper Caldecott once again. “Damn!” he muttered, aborting the call to make another. “George, hi. Jasper’s left site and isn’t picking-up. Do you know anything about his recommissioning FTS2?”
“I wish I could read Don’s mind,” Laura whispered to Rob. “He clearly thinks he’s on to something.”
“No, that’s the thing,” Don was saying, “it’s still registered as out-of-service on both my system and in the Project Room. It’s… George?” Don frowned and looked at his phone, the call having been cut.
“Right, can someone double check with the Operations Centre whether FTS2 is operational on their system and if so, to provide all records for its commissioning.” As the security supervisor headed out, Don walked to the digital wall display for the entire refinery. Taking a digital marker pen, Don drew a couple of lines on the wall. “These are the logical routes between FS7 and FTS2 – focus the CCTV reviews on these routes!”
“Don!” George Munster, the CEO, called as he thrust the door open to the room. “I can’t get hold of Jasper either – I’ve tried his home number and his wife’s mobile. No answer on either. What’s going on?”
“I don’t know, George, but,” Don glanced at his security supervisor who had just returned and shook his head, “it appears that Jasper recommissioned FTS2 without going through all of the protocols. It appears to be operational, but we don’t know why.”
“Well,” the CEO said turning to Laura. “I think you need to get someone round to Jasper’s house and bring him in. This doesn’t make sense.” The CEO handed Laura his smartphone with Jasper’s contact details displayed and Laura immediately handed it to one of the detectives.
“Easily done – assuming he’s there. If not, a warrant for his arrest will be circulated and all ports notified. What do we do about FTS2, whatever that stands for?”
“Fawley Testing and Sampling, building 2. It’s one of the buildings where all product flows through before being sent out for delivery. As the name suggests, we are able to take real-time tests and samples to ensure the product meets our standards before it is released for delivery to filling stations around the country.”
“So you’re suggesting that Jasper Caldecott could be tampering with the product without anyone knowing?” Laura enquired incredulously.
“That’s exactly what we are about to find out!” exclaimed the CEO. “Come on! I’ve asked our Head of Chemical Engineering to meet us outside. We can head over there together.”
“Shirley,” Don said turning to another of his supervisors. “Please pull reports on everyone involved with the recommissioning of FTS2 and known to work closely with Jasper and anyone who has left work today earlier than they should have.”
“Will do!”
“Thanks. Then work with someone from Laura’s team and track all those people down – I expect Laura will want them questioned.”
42
When the entourage of executives, with their hangers-on, agents, detectives and the Fawley security team emerged, it was already dark. Mist swirled along the roads that criss-crossed the site and through the maze of pipes that threaded their way from one end to the other.
“Let’s take the shuttles,” the CEO stated, shivering at the autumnal chill. “FTS2 is down on Third Street.”
Eager to find out what could be going on at FTS2, Laura was frustrated at the sedate pace of the shuttles sticking to the slow speed limit. “I hope this isn’t a waste of our time,” she whispered to Rob and David, not at all worried if Don or others overheard.
“I know what you mean,” David responded. “But it’s the only building that hasn’t been checked yet!”
The buses soon stopped outside a corrugated metal-walled building, bathed in light from powerful, overhead spotlights that illuminated the area. “FTS2 is behind here,” Don informed his companions as they entered the building. “This is one of the final mixing areas, where the additives are pumped into the product, hence having a testing and sampling area immediately adjacent.”
A small group of workers looked round at the large number of unexpected arrivals. Recognising the CEO, one broke away and walked over, blocking the way as one of the others disappeared through a door. “Hello, Mr Munster. Can I help at all? I trust everything is all right?”
“I sincerely hope so! We’re here to review what’s going on in FTS2, so if you’d excuse us…”
The man shoved the CEO backwards, turned and ran. At the same time, he pulled a handgun from beneath his overalls, shot wildly in the air and slammed the door shut. Everyone scattered, seeking cover behind the mass of pipes, valves and monitoring equipment.
“Listen-up!” Laura yelled. “I only want my team, Southampton detectives and Don’s security team. Everyone else is to get out of here – now!” Laura waited a few moments as terrified people willingly obliged. “Don, arrange your men around the perimeter of these buildings – they are to report all activity without getting themselves in danger.”
His men dispatched, Don returned to hear David protesting. “Surely we should wait for armed support. We know there are at least four of them.”
“Actually, it’s only two; I asked my team back at the office to monitor the CCTV and there are two gunmen with eight hostages inside FTS2,” Don said.
“That’s very helpful information. Can your team give us regular updates on what the gunmen are doing?”
“Unfortunately not. Immediately after securing the presumed hostages, they disabled the CCTV feeds. I’ve asked for floor plans marking where the hostages are and anything else seen on the recorded footage that is not currently on plan.”
“Drat!”
Everyone waited to hear what Laura wanted to do next. Some of the lights had started to flicker, damaged by the wild shooting of a few minutes earlier.
“What’s through that door?”
“A narrow passage beneath pipework. FTS2 is directly opposite.”
“Is it windowless, like this place?”
“Yes, although there are monitors on the doors to see who wants entry. My pass works on the doors, as do those of my team, and I can unlock all doors remotely if you need me to.”
“That’s good to know. Can you disable the door monitors remotely as well?”
“No.”
“Okay. For the moment, your pass will do. Come on.” Laura withdrew her handgun and gingerly opened the door, peering into the narrow passage before moving outside into a swirling sea mist that had enveloped the site. “Miserable,” she muttered.
“How many doors?” she asked, glancing around.
