Chapter 275 - 271: Good, Wait for Me to Come Back!
Not long after the helicopter took off, the special agents received new intelligence.
“Mr. Lewis, the criminals’ car stopped at Glow Service Station. It appears they are planning to rest for a while before continuing.”
Roy Lewis responded, “Find a way to ascertain the number of people they have.”
After a while, they received more information.
“The driver is a tall, strong man in his forties; the passenger and back seat have two similarly aged and fierce-looking men. We didn’t see any hostages; they are probably in the trunk.”
Roy did not conceal this information. Richelie Dunn didn’t say anything after hearing it. She remained silent throughout the journey, looking out the window at the vast night sky, lost in thought.
Intelligence would update them periodically. Luckily, the criminals had stopped at the service station after getting some food, but it was unclear whether they intended to take a break or had other plans.
“Richelie, you can take a nap. It seems there’s no need to worry too much for now.”
Roy didn’t mention it, but Richelle also assumed that the hostages were likely unconscious in the trunk. If that was the case, their suffering would be relatively less.
However, how could Richelle possibly fall asleep at a time like this?
To her, her master was like her mother. In her heart, her master held an equal position to her children.
“I’m not sleepy,” she shook her head, looking worriedly at him. “What about you? Have you taken your medicine?”
Roy Lewis always had emergency medication on him, so in the current situation, he couldn’t possibly sleep on schedule. Without the medicine, his body wouldn’t hold up.
Roy patted her head reassuringly, “I’ve taken it. I slept well this afternoon, and
I feel fine now. Don’t worry about me.”
Around one in the morning, the helicopter finally landed near the service station. Inside the service station, most people had already been secretly evacuated in an orderly fashion.
Roy Lewis had arranged snipers on the phone earlier, ready to carry out a 360-degree encirclement of the criminals. In addition, he had prepared plans A, B, and C for the rescue mission.
Plan A was to attempt a stealthy extraction of the hostage from the trunk if the criminals appeared to be careless. This plan had the least commotion but the lowest likelihood of success.
As expected, when their three separate cars entered the service station, they saw a man standing by the criminals’ car, smoking and vigilantly looking around.
Roy instructed the special agents in the front car through the radio, “Switch to plan B.”
If a stealth attack was unsuccessful, they would resort to intimidation. They would see whether the criminals were merely a ragtag bunch or truly desperate outlaws.
At Roy’s command, Richelle saw a bunch of seemingly randomly parked cars opening their doors. Agile, imposing figures appeared under the dim yellow lights of the service area. Starting with a large circle, they gradually moved towards the criminals’ car at the center, forming a smaller circle around it.
The lookout by the criminals’ car had long since retreated back inside.
The chief police officer held a loudspeaker, shouting at the criminals. “Passengers of car number N205NB, you are suspected of involvement in a kidnapping and hostage case. We order you to put down your weapons, give up resistance, and release the hostage to receive leniency!”
“Passengers of car number N205NB, you are suspected of involvement in a kidnapping and hostage case. We order you to put down your weapons, give up resistance, and release the hostage to receive leniency!”
Twenty to thirty special agents quickly surrounded the black car as the police officer repeatedly shouted. Just as they were about to forcefully rush over and open the trunk, the doors of the second row of the car opened. The person who came out was Richelle’s master, Sonia Seaton.
However, the captor was holding her with one hand around her neck and the other pointing a weapon at her head.
The criminal shouted at the officer in the front line, “Come on, if you dare to come one step closer, I’ll finish her off!”
Watching from the car, Richelle exclaimed softly, “Master!”
Roy Lewis worried that she would rush out and quickly held her by the shoulder to prevent her from impulsively doing anything.
Richelle, trust the police and special agents.”
The police officer continued to persuade the captors with the loudspeaker, but they paid no heed to his warnings. Instead, they just yelled back.
“Stop fucking talking nonsense to me! I want to speak directly with your city leaders. Once we agree on the terms, I’ll release the hostages!”
As expected, the captors’ motives aligned with what Roy and Richelle had thought.
The criminal seemed extremely vicious. Under the dim lighting, Richelle could see that her master’s face was turning blue from being strangled.
She unknowingly clenched her fist, her nails digging into her palm as a hint of ruthlessness appeared in her eyes.
The police officer continued to negotiate with the captor, but another criminal emerged, pushing another hostage-the master’s assistant.
With neither side backing down, an officer next to the chief suddenly stepped forward. He put down his weapon and raised his hands, approaching the criminals.
Release the hostages, and I’ll be your hostage instead.”
But the captor sneered, aiming their weapon at him.
“Are you kidding me? You may be worth three of us, but you’re not valuable enough to be our hostage. What makes you think you’re worth it?”
The criminal fired a shot at the officer’s feet.
“Get the fuck back, or I’ll kill you!”
The officer had no choice but to slowly retreat with his hands raised.
Richelle gritted her teeth as her body subtly moved but was held in place by a large hand on her shoulder.
“Richelle, I’ll go!”
She looked at him in surprise, “Roy, you…”
Roy nodded determinedly, “Richelle, my life might be more valuable than your master’s. Plus, they see me as an ordinary person, making me the most suitable candidate.”
As he spoke, he quietly ordered through the radio hidden in his collar.
“Mr. Mitchell, I’ll go and replace Master Seaton and her assistant. I’ll figure out a way to resist the person holding me hostage later. You guys act when the opportunity arises, but don’t hesitate to eliminate the captors if there’s no other choice.”
Richelle listened to his orders, anxiously grabbing his arm.
“Roy, there might be other ways!”
When he suggested replacing her master, she felt no relief, only a deep sense of panic and anxiety.
She cared about her master’s safety, but she also cared about Roy’s well-being!
Roy leaned in and gently kissed her on the lips.
“Don’t worry, I’m confident. I’ll save your master while making sure I’m unharmed.”
Richelle knew that his words were just meant to comfort her.
No one can guarantee a 100% chance of leaving unscathed when being held by a desperate criminal.
Having made up his mind, Roy patted her face tenderly and said, “Be good, and wait for me to come back.”
He then opened the car door, raised both hands, and slowly walked towards the criminals..