Angelina hung up on Senior Nike, her thoughts racing with the enormity of the task at hand. Although she was already arranging her resources, she was aware that the Nikes' predicament was getting worse. Their impending court date loomed like a ticking clock, and the evidence against them was overwhelming. The stakes were so high that she could not afford to make even one mistake.After inhaling deeply, she called her cousin, the Director General of Police, once more. He was her final, and perhaps best, opportunity to turn the tide in the Nikes' favor. It took several rings before his steady, deep voice could be heard."Angelina," he said in a cool but inquisitive tone. "I did not anticipate receiving a call at this hour.""Cousin, I need your help," she said in a controlled yet tense voice. "The Nike family is facing a serious situation that is getting worse more quickly than I can handle on my own."As though sensing the seriousness of what she was saying, the Director General hesit
As the day went on, Greene walked around the dark precinct office, reviewing all of the things he had said to Eliot. Despite his natural tendency to exercise caution, Greene was aware that Eliot's assistance might be crucial to destroying Gray ShelfHe looked down at the screen as the phone in his hand suddenly vibrated. An unknown number. Greene answered, bracing himself as his heart began to race a bit."This is Detective Greene," he stated firmly."Detective," Eliot replied, maintaining the same guarded tone as before. "I have given it some thought. If you want my assistance with Gray, I have some conditions."Greene gripped the phone with clenched fingers. "Go ahead."After a brief silence, Eliot spoke again in a composed yet firm tone. "First and foremost, I do not want my name on any arrest lists. When this is finished, I will walk away clean. No trials or handcuffs. Second, I need to be compensated. A million dollars should be enough to cover the costs of risking my life. Fina
Gray's pulse accelerated as he gazed at his phone, his fingers clenched so tightly that his knuckles went white. He was taken aback by his private investigator's news, and a cold shiver went down his spine. He had been hoping for positive news, perhaps even proof that his adversaries were losing sight of him. Rather, it was a shock to learn that Elliot had given the special unit team a lead."Are you sure about this?" Gray demanded, attempting to maintain composure in spite of his growing panic. "To what extent do they know?"In order to emphasize the gravity of the situation, the investigator's voice was tense. "From what we can tell, sir, they are getting closer to where you are. Elliot's tip appears to be specific enough to give them a ballpark estimate of your location. The team has already mobilized and is probably currently on their way. There is not much time for you."Gray's thoughts were racing as he weighed his options, and his eyes were darting around the room. His hiding
Greene and his group charged into Gray's hiding place, braced for battle, their movements coordinated and soundless as they broke through the door and spread out. There was a strange stillness in the air, like the calm after a storm, and the room was oppressively dimly lit. They moved quickly, checking corners, staying vigilant, and keeping their weapons at the ready, but with every second that went by, the team felt more and more uneasy. Greene quickly realized that Gray was not present.Greene straightened, his jaw clenched in frustration as he looked around. He had thought Gray would be in the shadows, huddled in a corner, about to run. Rather, the space was lifeless, frigid, and empty, as though Gray had departed long before they did. Some papers were strewn about, a chair was overturned, and there was a slight smell of cigarette smoke, all evidence of hurried packing. He had definitely been here recently, but he had left before they could apprehend him.Greene took out his phon
Angelina paced in her office, her mind spinning with possibilities. She knew the stakes were sky-high, and any chance she had to protect the Nikes was slipping away. Her only option now was to secure a bail for them, if only to keep their case out of the public eye for a little longer. Taking a deep breath, she dialed her cousin, the Director General, her fingers tightening around the phone as it rang.He answered after a few rings, his voice as calm and steady as ever. “Angelina, what is it now?”“Cousin,” she began, her voice steady but with an underlying urgency, “I need you to do something else for me. I know it’s a lot to ask, but please consider it.”He paused, as if bracing himself. “Go on.”“I need you to arrange bail for the Nike family,” she said, every word carefully measured. “If they’re kept in custody, their reputation will be tarnished beyond repair. Their businesses, their livelihoods, will crumble before they’ve even had a chance to defend themselves.”The Director Ge
In her office, Angelina’s phone rang. She picked it up immediately, recognizing her cousin’s number.“It’s done,” the Director General said in a low voice. “The commissioner has agreed to submit a request for bail, though it’s far from certain that the court will approve it.”A wave of relief washed over Angelina, but she knew better than to celebrate prematurely. “Thank you, cousin. I know this wasn’t easy.”“Just remember, Angelina,” he warned, “this could backfire on both of us. If the Nikes don’t show up for even a single hearing, we’ll be implicated in their escape, and the fallout will be devastating.”She nodded, though he couldn’t see her. “I understand. I’ll make sure they know the gravity of the situation. They won’t risk it.”As she hung up, Angelina sat back, her mind racing with the next steps. She was painfully aware of how high the stakes had risen, but she was determined to see this through. She dialed the Nikes, instructing them to be prepared for the bail hearing and
Greene unhappiness was unhidden, as an overwhelming sense of failure pervaded the air as Greene and his group filed out of Gray's deserted hideout. As the group left the ramshackle building, the sun was sinking, illuminating the streets with a grim orange tint. As they returned to the black SUVs parked a few meters away, the only sound they heard was the crunch of their boots on gravel. Greene continued walking forward, his thoughts racing with frustration and unresolved issues. Once more, Gray had escaped their grasp, and this time it felt intimate. He believed that the timing was ideal and the mission was flawless. Someone had told him, and Greene could not get rid of the suspicion that the system itself was the source of the betrayal. "Back to the station," Greene said curtly as he climbed into the front passenger seat of the leading vehicle. Parker cautiously glanced at him as he slid into the driver's seat, but remained silent. His eyes were fixed on the road ahead, his jaw
As he tapped on the holding cell's metal bars, the officer stared at Cindy, Romy, and Senior Nike. "You might want to hear this," he said in a casual yet excited tone. Senior Nike looked up from his seat, his face tired but intrigued. Cindy and Romy looked at each other, their faces hopeful but tense."So, what is it?" Senior Nike inquired, his voice steady despite the weight of their recent ordeal.The officer was holding up a phone. “Miss Angelina's work has been going above and beyond. The application for bail has been filed. Although it is not yet complete, it is a positive step.”As the words took hold, there was a brief pause in conversation. After that, the three felt a wave of relief as though a switch had been flipped. For the first time since their arrest, Senior Nike's stern manner softened as he exhaled deeply. Romy smiled with a mix of surprise and delight, and Cindy's face brightened as she clapped her hands together."We are leaving this place," Cindy declared, her vo