We were familiar with all their hideouts and storage places. Since the first attack on Ink, the Skulls had been put under part surveillance but I was still unsure how they got to Ink and Jimmy in broad daylight. We should’ve put them under full surveillance and this was something I would be discussing with Bear later. The ride was taking too long, I was getting agitated and that is no way to be feeling when going into battle.
We parked our bikes about half a mile away from the warehouse so the Skulls didn’t hear us coming. The element of surprise being our only advantage. Rex took the lead running swiftly through the undergrowth, his Military background ever present. Hound, Justice, Woods and I followed and caught up with him at the clearing where the warehouse stood. We crouched down evaluating our options.
There were two doors on the front of the building and a garage door to the right with big metal shutters. On the lower ground there were two windows in which we could possibly look through. A Black VW Transporter was parked outside to the right of the building. “We can’t possibly get through those metal shutters without making too much noise, so our only option is to go through the doors.” Everyone agreed, nodding their heads.
“Hound you’re with me on the left, Woods and Rex you take the door on the right. Justice you cover our arses. Is everyone in agreement?” They nodded their heads, giving me the answer I was looking for.
We ran swiftly over to the warehouse, looking around as we ran to make sure we weren’t spotted. I slid down the building with my back against the wall to a crouching position. I was trying to control my breathing as the adrenaline was pumping through my veins.
I got up and peaked into the window. It was difficult to see in because of the filth and the pile of boxes obstructing my view but I could see movement inside. I made out three figures and one was holding what looked to be a gun. I held up three fingers to the guys and placed one finger on my arm informing them of what I saw.
Woods crept quietly over to the Transporter. He opened the driver’s side door noticing that the keys were left in the ignition. Woods took out the keys and stuffed them into his pocket. The van was disgusting with takeaway wrappers in the footwells and on the passenger seats. Looking in the back he noticed stacks of brown boxes. He leant over and cut one open with his knife, “Jackpot!” He said quietly to himself. Mentally calculating Woods estimated well over 1,000 tablets in just this one box. Considering there were around 20 other boxes, this was a great find. Closing the van door quietly, Woods returned to the group and whispered “Ecstasy!” with a smile on his face. I couldn’t give a shit about the drugs, I just wanted to find Ink and was starting to get impatient.
Both groups made their way to the respective doors. I tried the handle, the door was unlocked, and luck was on our side. Woods tried the handle to the other door which was also unlocked. I held up my fingers 3, 2, 1…
Spike
We pulled up at the back of the pub, leaving our bikes in the darkest corner. There was a trail that led through the fields. I knew the farmer that owned the land and had contacted Greenhall earlier at the club house, asking the quickest way to the out buildings. It would take us about 15 minutes to get to the warehouse but as we couldn’t go down the most direct route, this was the quickest way. We couldn’t just turn up on the bikes all guns blazing, we didn’t know what we were up against. We moved briskly through the woods using the light from our torches to guide our way through the dense forest. We kept them low to prevent drawing attention to ourselves.
It was the longest 15 minutes of my life but we finally made it to what looked like a deserted building.
“Shit, are you sure you have the right place Duke?” I whispered looking around at the desolate structure in front of us. Duke looked around evaluating the situation. The building was around 15,000 sq. ft. and from this position I could only see one set of double doors leading into the building.
“Turn your mics on now.” Duke said agitated. “Spike and CJ you make your way around the perimeter to the left, and Locke and I will do the same on the right. Skinner, once we enter the building, I want you here taking out anything that doesn’t wear an Aces patch coming out of that door.”
We started to make our way around the outline of the trees. I could just make out Duke and Locke moving slowly in the distance. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a side door slowly open. “Get down!” I whispered into the mic. We all crouched down out of sight in the long damp undergrowth.
The man was in his late forties with greying brown hair tied back in a ponytail. He sparked up a fag and leaned against the building whilst texting on his phone. I could feel my heart beating faster and I was becoming impatient, waiting for the man to go back inside. As he stood there under the moonlight I recognised the man as a member of the Skulls.