Novel Full Chapter 422: Someone Forced To Become One
Chapter 422: Someone Forced To Become One
Moments earlier...
"I’ll tell Ghost," Lucian said, turning to Lukas and Gustav. "After breakfast."
Deep lines appeared on their faces, though neither thought much of it. They assumed he meant he would contact Ghost once breakfast was over.
"Now," Lucian continued, his expression sharpening, "let’s move on to the important part."
"Did you find anything?"
Lukas and Gustav nodded.
One of them placed another file on the coffee table before Lucian.
"All night, our men tracked down drivers who might’ve been near the area around the time of the shooting," Gustav explained. "We narrowed them down using the estimated timeline of when the shooter entered the building."
He flipped a tablet around and set it beside the file before taking a seat. Lukas remained standing with his arms crossed.
"One of the dashcams captured someone matching our person of interest."
Gustav played the footage.
Although the shooter had successfully avoided the area’s surveillance cameras, one passing vehicle had caught him from behind.
There was still no clear view of his face.
But they finally had a clean profile.
His clothes.
The black cap.
The duffel bag slung over his shoulder.
His height.
His build.
It was more than they had the night before.
Lucian gave a slight nod.
It was enough.
They finally had somewhere to start.
"No visible tattoos," he noted, his eyes settling on the exposed nape just above the shooter’s high-collared jacket.
"We’re still looking for additional angles," Gustav replied. "That’s why we hope Ghost can speed things up. The sooner we identify him, the better."
Lucian nodded again.
He understood exactly what Gustav meant.
His men could handle the investigation on their own. Time was simply against them. Just as Dominion was searching for the shooter, their enemy was likely busy erasing every trace they had left behind.
Lucian would’ve done the same.
"And these." Lukas pulled a sealed evidence bag from inside his jacket and placed it beside the file. "The shell casings."
"We tracked the manufacturer and their distribution."
Lucian looked up and listened.
"They aren’t sold anywhere in this country," Lukas said, his expression darkening. "In fact, they were never intended for civilian sale."
"They were supplied almost exclusively to the military."
Lucian frowned. "The military?"
His gaze shifted toward Gustav.
The latter simply lowered his head.
Seeing both their expressions, Lucian already knew where their thoughts had gone.
"Dominion?" he asked.
The two men looked up and nodded.
Dominion wasn’t part of the military.
However, they had long-standing agreements with several high-ranking officials, supplying arms through carefully maintained channels.
Lucian sat in silence.
Then he looked back at them.
"How likely is it that the shooter is connected to Dominion?"
"Low," Gustav answered. "But not impossible. We still have this ammunition type in Dominion’s armory, and many members are using the same model. I, included."
He folded his hands.
"Although that is a possibility, it could also be others. I recently received word that the general has started opening military contracts to other suppliers since Dominion began transitioning into legitimate business."
That didn’t surprise Lucian.
Legalizing Dominion meant cutting ties with many of its former dealings.
Vacant opportunities naturally attracted new players.
"But even a small possibility deserves attention," Lukas added. "Gustav and I will conduct a separate investigation into Dominion’s members."
He paused, then added, "At least those currently in the country."
Investigating every Dominion operative around the world would take months, even with Ghost’s assistance. But if they just looked at the people around them, then at least they would have the confidence that it was not someone close to them.
Silence settled over the room after Lukas’s remarks.
Lucian’s gaze lowered to the table, deep in thought. They already made progress, and it was far better than he expected. Considering the level of sophistication the enemy had, Lucian was pleased they weren’t so behind.
It was only a matter of time before Lukas and Gustav got their hands on this person in the dashcam footage.
After a long moment, he gave a small nod.
Looking back at the two men, he rose to his feet.
"Do what you have to do," Lucian remarked.
Gustav immediately stood as well, waiting for further orders.
"Keep tracking the shooter. Find out whether he’s connected to Dominion or to anyone," Lucian paused before turning to Gustav. "But for now, I need you to do one thing."
Lukas and Gustav waited until Lucian spoke again.
"Lower our security."
Lukas and Gustav frowned at once.
"Master, that’s too dangerous," Gustav said. "Not only for you, but for the Young Master and the Madam as well."
"He’s right," Lukas agreed. "Reducing our security is too risky."
"I’m not asking you to lower it completely," Lucian replied calmly. "Just enough."
He looked between them.
"The person behind this operation didn’t send someone that skilled just to fail. If Tommy survived... they’ll come back."
His eyes narrowed.
"They’ll finish the job." Lucian tilted his head slightly. "And I’d like to see how they intend to do it."
"Their next move will tell us far more about them than anything we uncover through investigation."
Lukas and Gustav exchanged a glance.
A moment later, they stepped back, straightened, and bowed.
"Yes, Master."
*****
It wasn’t just suspicion; Lucian was almost certain.
That was why Lucian chose to guard Tommy himself.
Everything they had learned pointed to one conclusion.
Whoever was behind the attack was organized, disciplined, and professional.
The operation had been meticulously planned. They avoided surveillance and left behind almost nothing.
This wasn’t the work of an ordinary criminal organization.
If Lucian’s assessment was correct...
Someone would return.
Someone would come back to finish the job.
What he hadn’t expected was this.
"Please... forgive me..."
The nurse knelt before Lucian and Ashley, rubbing her trembling hands together as tears and mucus streamed down her face.
"I didn’t want to do it," she sobbed. "They have my family. They said they’d kill them if I refused."
Lucian’s expression remained unreadable.
This wasn’t what he had anticipated.
He expected a trained assassin.
Not someone forced into becoming one.