Chapter 177: Police! You’re Under Arrest

Chapter 177: Chapter 177: Police! You’re Under Arrest

Heath Hale shook his head. They definitely couldn’t wait.

From what Monkey had relayed, it was clear this group wouldn’t show their victim any mercy.

The victim’s life was guaranteed until the money was paid, but nothing else was.

Therefore, they needed to strike fast and end this quickly.

"Give me a hand in a bit," Heath Hale said, looking at Barry Quinn, who was standing guard by Zoe Sawyer. "If no one comes out in five minutes, we’ll create a disturbance to draw them out."

Barry Quinn surveyed their surroundings, then glanced at the target building not far away. After mentally calculating the distance and confirming he could keep an eye on Zoe Sawyer’s position at all times, he nodded and agreed to Heath Hale’s request.

This area wasn’t bustling with people like the shopping mall, so it wasn’t a huge risk for him to step away for a moment.

Still, Barry Quinn looked at Monkey and gave him a warning to stay alert and not let anything happen to Zoe Sawyer.

"Don’t worry, Captain. I understand!" Monkey said, patting his chest in assurance.

’The incident at the mall was bad enough. If something like that happens again, I’ll probably have to pack my bags and get sent back for retraining.’

Less than five minutes later, there was a stir inside the house. Zoe Sawyer and the others held their breath, terrified of making the slightest sound that might alert the people inside.

Soon, a man walked out, pounding his shoulder with his fist. His voice was full of complaint. "This is so damn annoying. I’m stepping out for some air. You guys keep a close watch."

Heath Hale and Barry Quinn exchanged a look. ’Perfect opportunity!’

They waited until the man took a few more steps forward, his back turned to them.

With lightning speed, the two of them rushed out, clamped a hand over the man’s mouth, and dragged him behind their hiding spot.

Fearing he would make a noise and alert the other kidnappers, Monkey tore open a loaf of bread and stuffed a piece into his mouth.

Heath Hale crouched in front of him, flashed his police badge, and said in a low voice, "Your accomplice has already told us everything.

"Right now, you have two choices. One: confess everything you know, cooperate with our operation, and try for a lenient sentence. Two: deny everything, get thrown in jail by us, and face the full judgment of the law.

"Think carefully. The victim isn’t dead yet. It’s not too late to make the right choice."

The man’s eyes darted around, then he nodded repeatedly, making muffled "Mmmph! Mmmph!" sounds to show he would cooperate.

Heath Hale pulled the bread out of his mouth.

"Talk. What’s your name, and how many people are inside?" Heath Hale asked.

The man’s eyes darted around, flicking over Heath Hale before quickly looking away. He blinked several times, a smirk pulling at his lips. Just as he was about to speak, he heard the other man who had captured him analyzing his behavior for the woman beside him: "Look at his expression. Averting his gaze, blinking frequently, an unnatural smile... those are all subconscious tells of someone who is about to lie."

"My name is Ricky Lee. Besides the hostage, there are two other people inside, one man and one woman.

"Two others aren’t back yet, but it should be soon. Once they return, they’re going to start working on the guy to squeeze every last drop of value out of him." Ricky Lee, who had been about to lie out of habit, dropped his head after hearing Barry Quinn’s analysis and confessed everything.

"I’ll cooperate with you. I’ll lure them all out. Regarding my sentence... can you go easy on me?" Ricky Lee asked anxiously.

’I just wanted some pocket money! I don’t want to get executed!’

Perhaps afraid that Zoe Sawyer and the others wouldn’t believe him, or perhaps to prove his sincerity, Ricky Lee proceeded to spill every detail about the situation inside.

Once they confirmed the situation inside, Heath Hale and Barry Quinn knew what they were dealing with.

They squeezed a few more sentences out of him, confirming that most of the villagers worked out of town and only returned on weekends.

After learning that many of the village houses were vacant, Zoe Sawyer and Heath Hale exchanged a glance, an idea quickly forming in their minds.

After leaving Sean Hughes and the others to watch the captive, Zoe Sawyer and Heath Hale found an abandoned house nearby. Using the door, they summoned all the team members under Sean’s command.

When Ricky Lee saw the police officers trailing behind Zoe Sawyer, any last-ditch ideas he might have had vanished completely.

Soon, with Ricky Lee turning on them, they easily lured his two accomplices out from inside.

Sean Hughes led his team in skillfully apprehending the two thugs and tossing them aside.

However, unlike Ricky Lee, who was sitting comfortably, these two were forced to lie facedown on the ground with their hands cuffed behind their backs.

"You betrayed us!"

The two newly captured men glared at Ricky Lee, looking like they wanted to tear him apart.

’We were so close! We could have taken the money and run tomorrow!’

’To fail at the very last second!’

’If I’d known this would happen, I would’ve just finished the job earlier!’

Ricky Lee nonchalantly scooted to the side, ignoring their shouts.

’Are you kidding me? If I hadn’t switched sides, I’d be down there on the ground with them!’

’We were going to get caught anyway. This was just me seeing the light!’

Following Ricky Lee’s statement, Heath Hale led a team and stormed the innermost room.

Upon seeing the scene inside, Heath Hale breathed a sigh of relief.

’Thank God. We made it in time!’

In a corner of the room, a man lay unconscious on the ground, the rise and fall of his chest the only proof he was still alive.

His hands and feet were bound with thick ropes, and a heavy layer of duct tape covered his mouth. His forehead was a mess of bruises, and his exposed arms and legs were covered in wounds.

Cardboard sheets covered in bloodstains were laid out along the walls. Around the room were various clubs and whips—presumably the tools they had been using.

Heath Hale went over and checked the man’s condition. Aside from the injuries to his limbs and forehead, he couldn’t find any other wounds for the time being.

A more thorough examination would have to wait for the hospital, however.

Just then, the sound of an approaching car came from the distance.

With quick reflexes, Sean Hughes and another officer each clamped a hand over one of the captive’s mouths, preventing them from making a sound that might alert the suspects outside.

The remaining officers crouched low by the door, ready to arrest the new arrivals the moment they stepped inside.

"Why’s it so quiet? Those three didn’t get carried away and kill the guy, did they?" The man from the convenience store got out of the car. Staring at the unusually silent house, he was overcome with a bad feeling.

’Those three idiots don’t know how to hold back!’

’We still haven’t gotten the last payment!’

’How could they just go and kill him!’ ℯℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"I don’t know. Let’s hurry inside and check. If he’s really dead, we’re screwed!" The man from the small warehouse irritably ran a hand through his hair. ’I still have gambling debts to pay off!’

’I was counting on today’s money to pay them back!’

’The money hasn’t even arrived, and the guy’s dead!’

’What kind of mess is this!’

Talking as they went, the two men pushed open the door and walked inside.

The moment they stepped through the door, they were tackled to the ground by four large men.

"Police! You’re under arrest!"