One of the younger cops, barely out of the academy, threw his rifle to the ground and stumbled backward.
“Please–I don’t want any part of this! I’m just a rookie, damn it! I don’t even understand what’s going on–don’t lump me in with that psycho!”
His voice trembled as he backed away from the carnage.
Like a dam finally bursting, other officers followed suit, hands in the air, weapons clattering to the floor. No one wanted a ticket straight to hell alongside Bernard.
Bernard’s eyes darted around, his bravado wobbling.
“So, that’s it? You’re all turning on me?” He sneered, but his lip quivered. “You idiots really don’t understand the consequences of defying the police, do you?”
Kelly cocked her head, a lazy smirk twisting her lips.
“Oh, that’s cute–you think you still have any authority here?” She rolled her eyes. “Go ahead, throw your weight around. We’re shaking in our boots, right?”
She stepped right into Bernard’s face and slapped him hard, the crack echoing.
“Little man with a shiny badge. That all you got?”
Bernard’s face went red hot, shock and fury colliding.
“You… slapped me? Have you lost your damn mind?! I’m a police inspector!”
Kelly let out a laugh that held no humor whatsoever.
“An inspector? Jesus, who gave you that job–Satan on a sick day? I’ve seen mall cops with more honor.”
She tore her pistol free of its holster, pressing the barrel to Bernard’s forehead.
“Shut your mouth, or I’ll put a bullet through that thick skull of yours. You’re lucky we’re on the same side of the law–technically. I’m giving you a countdown. Three seconds to let Alex walk. If you don’t, I’ll redecorate this station with your brain matter.”
Bernard’s voice cracked.
“I–I’m the inspector!”
Kelly began the slow, deadly count.
“Three… two…”
Bernard’s knees practically buckled.
“Are you crazy?! Touch me, and the media’ll crucify you! You’ll have the entire country breathing down your necks!”
“…One.”
The gunshot boomed.
A.45 slug tore right through Bernard’s forehead, and he went down like a ton of bricks–eyes wide, mouth still
1/3
Chapter 198
open in mid–plea.
+25 BONUS
The rank sinell of gunpowder mixed with the metallic tang of blood, seizing the room in suffocating silence. For a moment, every officer stood frozen, like the air itself bad died.
Their almighty inspector lay there, a gaping hole in his head, badge worthless as a cardboard shield.
Kelly glanced at the lifeless body and snapped her gaze to the crowd of stunned officers.
“Who’s in charge here now?”
A trembling man in uniform, the Sub–Inspector, swallowed hard and took a step forward.
“I–I am.”
Kelly dragged him to a corner.
She flashed a special badge, the emblem of Kingswell blazing under the flickering fluorescent lights. The Sub–Inspector felt his heart lurch painfully in his chest, like it was trying to escape his ribcage. He had heard rumors–just whispers, really–about Kingswell, the king’s personal creation.
A unit so secret, so lethal, even generals feared them.
Compared to Kingswell, police inspectors were nothing. Insects under a boot.
Kelly leaned in, her voice low and cold, each word slicing into his nerves like a scalpel.
“Do you even understand who Alex is? Kingswell operative. And you tossed him into a piss–soaked holding cell like some street junkie.”
She took a slow step forward, her gaze pinning him like a butterfly under glass.
“That might be the single dumbest thing you’ve ever done. So tell me what exactly are you planning to do about it?”
Sweat poured down the Sub–Inspector’s face, soaking the collar of his uniform.
His throat bobbed painfully as he swallowed.
“I–I swear, ma’am–I didn’t know! If I’d known–God, I’d never Kingswell agent!”
take him! I wouldn’t dare touch a
Kelly’s smile was razor–sharp and colder than the gun at her hip.
“Good. Because you know what happens if a single word about us leaves your mouth, right?”
The Sub–Inspector nodded so fast it looked like his neck might snap.
“Y–yes! Of course! I’ll take this to my grave–no one will hear a whisper from me!” His voice shook like glass an earthquake.
“Smart boy.” Kelly raised her hand, giving her team a subtle gesture.
“We’re done here. Move out.”
They vanished as quickly as they’d come, slipping away like ghosts.
2/3
Chapter 198
+25 BONUS
The officers left behind stared at one another in dazed horrer, as if waking from a nightmare.
The Sub–Inspector hunched over Bernard’s corpse, then kicked the lifeless body.
“Damn bastard… you’ve disgraced this whole station. Somebody get a mop and throw his rotting carcass where it belongs. And dig into every one of his crooked deals–I want it all exposed!”
His voice broke through the stunned silence. There was no going back now.
He stormed over to the holding cells, fumbling with his ring of keys.
Hands trembling, he unlocked Sophia’s chains.
“I–I’m sorry. We all got dragged into that lunatic’s mess. Please, Miss Sophia, Sir Alex… forgive us.”
His arms flailed as he thrust a bulging bag of money and a small card toward Alex.
“Take it,” he blurted, eyes desperate. “Think of it as compensation for… for everything. The wrongful arrest, the intimidation, all of it.”
Alex barely had time to process the apology, or the hefty bribe he was suddenly holding, before he and Sophia were ushered out into the stale corridor.
In his hands, he cradled medicine box along with the money.
Viper, the scumbag who’d framed Alex, was immediately slapped in cuffs.
The Sub–Inspector gave Alex a pointed look.
“Sir, this bastard faked all the evidence that brought you here. I’ll see he rots in jail for a decade. Or…” He lowered his voice, eyes flickering with a dangerous gleam.
“We can just off him now. Report says: Viper had a ‘tussle‘ with Bernard–both ended up dead. Easy.”
Alex’s face was like stone.
“Fine by me. One less cockroach.”
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