BURKE AND THE OFFICERS with him reached the loading bay in time to see the truck turn the corner of the building. None of them seriously thought they could catch the truck on foot but they still gave pursuit, aware that there were other officers, the bulk of the team, approaching who should be able to stop the escaping vehicle.
An ear-splitting crash came less than a quarter of a minute after the truck disappeared around the corner. It was so loud that it would have drawn the attention of everyone on the estate, had it come during the day.
Whether the noise signalled something good or something bad, Burke didn’t know, and he picked up his pace so he could find out. He came to an abrupt halt almost immediately after rounding the corner as he was confronted by the sight of the truck and th
