Chapter 61: I Think I Ran Into a Ghost

Chapter 61: Chapter 61: I Think I Ran Into a Ghost

Unable to figure it out, Tucker could only attribute the feeling to his boss’s trust in him.

He got into the car with the items and was just about to tell the driver to leave.

The next second, a bomb landed not far from the car and detonated.

Immediately after, several more bombs fell nearby.

The immense shockwave knocked everyone around the car unconscious, including Tucker and the driver inside. The once-orderly camp instantly descended into chaos.

Taking advantage of the chaos, many people snatched what they could and stuffed it into their clothes, preparing to flee.

Meanwhile, the boss slipped out the other side of his tent, carrying a different briefcase. He hopped onto a motorcycle his underling, P-Bro, had waiting and sped off without a backward glance.

A competent boss like him would never leave in a conspicuous car; that would be making himself a living target.

The recent explosion proved just how wise that decision had been.

"Hmph. I hope those people find what they’re looking for in there." Seated on the speeding motorcycle, the boss glanced back at the chaotic camp, then at the briefcase he held protectively in his arms, and sneered inwardly.

’How could I possibly let anyone but myself know where the truly important things are?’

’The only safe place is with me.’

The motorcycle soon stopped outside a remote alley where a luxury car was parked.

"Good job. You’ll get what you want." The boss dismounted from the motorcycle, walked over to the car, and beckoned P-Bro over.

P-Bro’s face flushed with excitement. ’Is it finally my turn to make it big?’

The next second, the smile on P-Bro’s face froze. A large hole had appeared in his forehead, and he collapsed to the ground, lifeless.

As if he hadn’t seen a thing, the boss got in the car and left.

’So what if those people get rescued? I always have more than one backup plan.’

’Perhaps those pathetic hostages will bring me a considerable reward.’

’Like, for instance, why my side has been defeated time and time again!’

Just after the car left, a head poked out from the alley. Once they confirmed the coast was clear, the person rushed to the motorcycle and quickly wheeled it away.

As they passed, they didn’t forget to loot P-Bro’s body. Only after confirming there was nothing left did they depart, satisfied.

Meanwhile, back at the camp, the hostages—who had just finished moving supplies and hadn’t yet been locked up again—watched as the camp suddenly erupted into chaos.

A man who had been silently observing the situation suddenly sprang up, locking a passing goon in a tight chokehold.

As his fellow hostages watched in terror, the man spat a mouthful of bloody saliva onto the ground. "We’re dead either way, so taking one of them down with me is worth it! Besides, look at them. Is anyone coming to help?"

Following his gaze, they saw he was right. Everyone else in the camp was scrambling to grab anything they deemed valuable. As for their captured comrade?

He was none of their concern!

The other hostages gritted their teeth. Those strong enough took on enemies by themselves; those who weren’t ganged up. Together, they managed to subdue quite a few of the goons.

’No matter what happens next, killing one of them means we break even!’

By the time the other criminals realized something was wrong and tried to fight back, Evan Keller and Barry Quinn had arrived with the main force.

With professionals taking over, the chaos was quickly brought under control.

The hostages were rescued immediately.

"Want to go take a look? You might see a familiar face in there," Evan Keller asked softly, standing beside Barry Quinn.

"Of course. You never know."

Barry Quinn accepted Evan Keller’s offer and walked over to where the hostages had been gathered, his sharp gaze sweeping over every face before him.

Finally, his eyes locked onto a man in the farthest corner, who sat with his head bowed and silent.

"That one... he’s not a hostage. He’s an undercover," Barry Quinn said, subtly pointing in the man’s direction to alert Evan Keller.

The man was quickly pulled aside.

As he was led past Barry Quinn, his eyes landed on Barry’s face and his pupils constricted. ’He’s not dead!’

Zoe Sawyer and the others didn’t need to worry about the aftermath.

After handing things over to Chief Lowe, Zoe Sawyer and her team immediately returned to Varden.

Of course, they opened the "door" inside an office at the police station. If they were going to keep it a secret, they had to be thorough.

"You’ve all worked hard. Now that this is resolved, go get some proper rest." Chief Lowe stood before them, hands on his hips, his expression uncharacteristically relaxed.

The other cell had also been taken down, so for the time being, there was no need to worry about a similar case occurring.

There were still interrogations to conduct, but the work was no longer as urgent as it had been at the start.

"We’ve got people from the provincial bureau coming to help with the follow-up. You all get some rest. You’ve earned the credit for this, and no one can take that from you," the Chief added before he left.

Tasks like identifying the hostages and the deceased could be handled by others just as well.

Barry Quinn nodded to Zoe Sawyer and the others, then eagerly headed toward the infirmary.

He was going to share the good news with Monkey and the others!

"Finally! I’m going to go home and sleep for a whole day!" Sean Hughes announced with a grin, slinging an arm over Zoe Sawyer’s shoulder.

Meeting Zoe Sawyer’s expectant gaze, Heath Hale also announced that he wouldn’t be scheduling any training for her for the next three days.

Over the next two weeks, work at the police station proceeded in an orderly fashion. The survivors underwent several rounds of psychological counseling and were sent home to start their new lives.

As for the masterminds, Ruby and her cohorts, they refused to talk no matter how they were questioned. They could only be transferred to the more secure provincial bureau for interrogation by specialists.

The families of most of the deceased were located and consoled.

Mrs. York and her family held Joy’s ashes, sold their house, and left the city of their sorrow.

This was also a rare moment of peace for Zoe Sawyer and her team.

No cases, no alerts.

And just then, a voice call popped up on Zoe Sawyer’s WeChat.

Zoe Sawyer glanced down. It was from Lily Golding, her old college roommate, with whom she’d been close.

"Lily? What’s up? Calling me at a time like this... did you strike it rich and decide you want to support me?" Zoe Sawyer asked with a grin. It was their usual way of teasing each other.

Lily was silent for a long time.

Zoe Sawyer frowned. Just as she was about to speak again, Lily finally broke the silence.

Her voice was a bit hoarse and tinged with panic. "Zoe, you know people at the police station, don’t you?"

’The last person to ask her that was Mrs. York, bringing news of Joy’s death.’

Now, someone else was asking the same thing. Zoe Sawyer sat up straight, put her phone on speaker, and placed it in the center of the table.

The others immediately gathered around.

"I have a few friends who work at the station. Why? Did something happen?" Zoe Sawyer asked, clearing her throat.

Lily seemed to be steeling herself; she took several deep breaths before finally speaking.

"I... I think I saw a ghost."