Send for Crusher

Part VII

Shotgun breaching round. Designed to destroy locks, deadbolts and hinges when it is necessary to make very fast entry. It can be delivered by a standard shotgun and is designed to ensure that the operator plus people on both sides of the door are not injured. It is fired from a distance of approximately 6 inches (15 centimetres) and disperses into a relatively harmless powder.

For my male readers, there is a warning: The climax of this story may possibly bring tears to your eyes!

As always in the Crusher series any resemblance to any incident or any persons living or dead is coincidental.

Crusher was asleep at the time and in the middle of a dream. Not any dream, as he was initiating a very romantic interlude with Molly, the love of his life. As Molly was a drugs dog, they rarely had the opportunity to meet, and when they did, it worked. Despite her initial distaste for the bad boy of the dog section, his reputation stirred her interest. His last attempt to get extremely convivial was interrupted by his partner, PC Sharon, who unfortunately had noticed the movement of the bushes as Crusher was in the middle of getting to know Molly so much better. (See Crusher Returns) Yes, his partner was a very nice human, but she just didn’t understand him.

The call, when it came, was serious. A gunman was holed up in a building with a hostage. The negotiators had failed to make progress and an armed assault was being considered, however, in the calculations a dog was required. Who else but the redoubtable Crusher?

The discussions were well underway when they arrived, and Crusher listened intently to the plan.

“There is only one door. It’s the only entrance. We are going to take the door off its hinges in one hit and throw in a smoke grenade; then we send in Crusher as a distraction, and an armed response officer will immediately follow and eliminate the gunman.”

“Hmm now I’m not sure I like the sound of that” thought Crusher.

“I have a better idea. The armed response officer could go in first as a distraction, and I could immediately follow and I will eliminate the gunman. At least he won’t be in any state to do anything when I have finished with him.”

Needless to say, PC Sharon was not overly keen on the idea of sending in Crusher first and raised obvious concerns.

“You do realise that there is a very good chance of Crusher being killed or seriously injured.”

“We are unanimous in that,” thought Crusher.

“We have the ultimate bulletproof vest. This piece of kit will stop a •44 magnum,” suggested the Inspector

“That’s assuming that the bullet hits the vest before it hits me.” Thought Crusher

“Sharon, it’s the best there is, it costs around £1500. I’m sorry, but it has to be Crusher. You’ve said it yourself many times: he’s the best there is.”

“Thanks a lot, partner. Next time. Just tell me, not the desk jockeys and the pen pushers.” Thought Crusher

Preparations were made, Crusher was fitted with the vest, and when the six adjustable straps were in place, it was, in fact, a reasonable fit. Crusher spent a few minutes moving around to ensure his movement was not restricted.

PC Sharon hugged Crusher. “Was that a tear in her eye?” Thought Crusher.

The firearms officer was ready, his Glock17M pistol in hand.

Sharon spoke. “Don’t shoot my dog, ‘cos if you do, you will have me to deal with, and you know where I am going to shove your Glock.”

The officer nodded and smiled reassuringly.

The breaching team prepared their shotguns.

The senior officer in charge looked at the team. They nodded to affirm that they were ready. The firearms officer did the same, and PC Sharon also nodded.

As Crusher waited, he saw all this happening. “Typical, nobody has asked me if I am ready. There is an idiot with a gun on the other side of that door. I’m the first one in, and they are all being asked if they are ready!! What about me!!”

The signal was given.

The hinges and lock were destroyed instantly, the door fell in with a firm hit, and Crusher went forward. The smoke grenade had the desired effect as the suspect was unable to locate Crusher through the smoke, so he fired wildly in Crusher’s direction. Fortunately, the bullet struck his vest, but only a glancing blow. It then ricocheted where, causing the firearms officer a superficial wound but making him drop his gun. Fortunately, Crusher’s momentum carried him forward, knocking the suspect over, thus making him lose his grip on his gun. As they both fell to the floor, Crusher’s head was very close to the top of the gunman’s leg. The firearms officer reached for his Glock, and the gunman reached for his gun. Crusher’s eyes lit up, and a devilish look appeared.

“So you tried to kill me, you pea-brained microbe. Well, see how you like this.“

Crusher opened his jaws and clamped down hard. Being a German Shepherd, he has one of the most powerful bites in the canine world and can exert a force of 238 psi (pound per square inch) pressure. The man’s screams could probably be heard a mile away.

PC Sharon came racing in…..

“CRUSHER LEAVE HIM AND STOP BITING HIS *****!! “