Outside the Dior boutique, reporters from Metropolis' Daily Planet were scrambling for the best vantage points. Photographer Jimmy clutched his camera and video gear tightly, warning his lead reporter.
"Louise, watch it! Some Gotham bitch might try to kick your leg!"
"I'll kick her back and show her how Metropolis girls handle themselves," Louise shot back, shoving past two reporters hogging the front. She squeezed through the crowd, clearing the path for Jimmy to follow.
Finally free, Jimmy exhaled in relief. Nearby, Gotham Gazette reporters scowled at being pushed aside. One reporter glared at Louise and shouted.
"Daily Planet? You're Metropolis? I'll remember this! From now on, you're banned from Gotham news!"
Louise tossed her hair disdainfully.
"News doesn't walk away. It's right here. You weren't fast enough, and now you want to threaten me?"
Jimmy rolled his eyes.
"Ignore them, Louise. Get a good angle. This story—the Deputy Secretary of Defense's daughter being kidnapped—already has national impact. It exposes Gotham PD's inaction and City Hall's failures."
"Got it, Louise," Jimmy said, giving her an OK sign while setting up the camera. Then he leaned toward the Gotham Gazette reporter who had threatened them.
"Buddy, I'd get out of here fast. Louise's dad isn't just a general, he's also a senator."
The reporter froze, cursed under his breath, flipped them the middle finger, and retreated into the crowd. The Gotham female reporter who tried to trip Louise disappeared just as silently. Jimmy grinned.
"Everyone hates connections but avoids them. Louise, your dad is ridiculously useful."
"Enough, Jimmy. My work has nothing to do with my dad," Louise said, lightly kicking him to keep him in line. "Focus. Axel has been in the fitting room with the hostage for half an hour. They should be coming out soon. As soon as they appear, we need a close-up. Keep up with me."
"Fuck yeah," Jimmy said, grinning.
"Stop swearing," Louise snapped.
Suddenly, she yelled.
"Quick! They're out!"
"I see them! Damn, Axel's new outfit is sharp. That coat must cost at least three thousand Dollars!"
Axel pushed open the fitting room door and gave Haino a playful kick.
"Don't just stand there. Go grab some water."
"On it!" Haino responded, still tidying her makeup, excitement and exhaustion written across her face. She moved through the boutique like she owned the place, knowing exactly where supplies were kept.
Axel smiled at her retreating figure and raised his hands toward the police already moving outside.
Bang!
The boutique's glass shattered under his bullets. Gordon led more than twenty officers to intercept him.
"Put down the gun!"
"Damn it! Put it down!"
"You're surrounded! Surrender now!"
"Axel, you can't escape!" Gordon shouted, aiming at Axel's head.
Haino froze, realizing too late what was happening. She wanted to rush back to Axel, but police restrained her before she could move.
"You're safe now, Miss Laurence," one officer whispered.
Haino's expression went blank.
"Safe? I've never felt more alive! Compared to him, all other men I've met are boring as hell!"
Her mind cleared.
"Let go of me! Axel only broke one leg. He didn't kill anyone. He never meant to hurt me. Breaking a leg won't land him in prison for long!"
"Stop it, Haino!" an officer barked.
Mayor Mitchell arrived and grabbed her wrist.
"Your father called. He wants to see you immediately! Someone, get her to her parents!"
"I'm not going! I don't want to see them! I only see them a few times a year! Let go! Let go, you bastard! My dad's a Gotham councilman, my mom's the Deputy Secretary of Defense! If anyone hurts Axel, I'll make them regret it!"
Haino struggled fiercely, but Mayor Mitchell's team escorted her away. Her words left a chill in the hearts of nearby officers and loosened the perimeter around Axel.
Countless reporters tried to get close, but they were blocked by the Mayor's team. Louise took advantage of the distraction. She pushed forward, microphone in hand, capitalizing on the slightly weakened police formation.
"This just got way more interesting! Run, Jimmy! Axel is about to be apprehended. We have to be the first media outlet to interview him!"
"I'm trying my best!" Jimmy replied, fumbling with the tripod.
____
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