Kail stood frozen for a moment, trying to process the flurry of events in his head. Then instinct took over-he spun toward the stairwell, boots thudding against the worn concrete as he bolted for the exit.
He barely made it through the doorway before a hand clamped around his arm and yanked him back.
"What the hell are you doing?" Kail snapped, jerking against the grip.
Anderu's eyes were sharp and urgent. "Calm down-and keep quiet," he hissed. "Someone's here."
Kail's brow furrowed, his pulse pounding. "What are you talking about?"
"Just... tell me," Anderu murmured, leaning close, "where did you park the car?"
"Back side of the building," Kail replied, still confused.
Anderu gave a small, grim nod. "Good. Stay low."
They crept toward the narrow window overlooking the cracked parking lot. Below, a shadowy figure paced, phone pressed to his ear.
Anderu's breath caught when the man spoke.
"Miny... why did you leave your mission? Maybe you don't want to meet your dad."
The voice was unmistakable.
Anderu's stomach turned to ice. "It's him," he whispered to Kail. "The commissioner. I knew it-he's tied to Jennifer's murder."
Before Kail could respond, the growl of an engine cut through the stillness. A dark sedan rolled to a stop. The rear door swung open, and Semmy climbed out. He strode to the back seat and pulled someone out-someone limp, her head lolling to the side.
Cherry.
Kail's breath left him in a hiss.
The commissioner stepped forward, his expression sharp. "How is she with you?"
Semmy's lip curled. "She knows everything-about me, my brother, and the drug and human trafficking. Everything. Help me get her downstairs."
The two men each hooked an arm under Cherry's shoulders, half-carrying, half-dragging her toward the basement steps.
Kail moved instantly. "We have to get her. Now."
But Anderu's arm blocked his path like a steel bar. "No. First we get backup."
"Backup? She's already in their hands-"
"And if we rush in blind, she's dead," Anderu shot back. "We move without a plan, we put her at bigger risk. We take backup first."
Kail's fists clenched, every muscle in his body screaming to act, but he forced himself to follow Anderu.
Down in the basement, Cherry stirred faintly as water splashed over her face. Her wrists were bound tight to the arms of a metal chair.
Semmy leaned in, his grin cruel. "Now you're in my trap, detective."
Cherry lifted her head slowly, water dripping from her chin. And then-she smiled. It wasn't the smile of someone beaten. It was colder. Sharper.
"Your trap?" she murmured. "No... you're in mine."
Semmy's brow furrowed.
In her jacket pocket, what looked like a pen was in fact a micro-camera, its feed already transmitted to her department. Every page from Jennifer's diary, every detail she'd uncovered, was now in police hands. And before being captured, she had sent a simple message to Kail: If I'm in danger-call my department.
At the police station, Anderu slammed his palm on the desk. "We need a strike team now."
Inspector Philips shook his head. "I can't approve this without orders from above-"
"This isn't a debate," Anderu growled.
Meanwhile, Kail, restless and muttering about wasted time, stepped outside. He didn't get far before a van screeched to a halt in front of him. Armed officers piled out.
"You're Kail?" the lead officer barked.
"Yes-"
"Good. Let's go end this. Cherry's department sent us."
Back in the basement, Semmy circled Cherry like a predator. "You think you're clever? You're mine now."
Cherry chuckled. "And you forgot something important."
"What?"
"You didn't hang up your call."
Confusion flashed in Semmy's eyes-then a blur of motion crashed into him. A boot connected squarely with his jaw, sending him sprawling.
Cherry stood, a small tactical knife glinting in her hand. "Not great for a fight," she said, slicing through her bonds, "but perfect for situations like this."
She pushed out the door-and chaos exploded around her.
Gunfire cracked. Shouts echoed. Kail was there, ducking behind a pillar as he fired back at Semmy's men.
"Kail!" Cherry called over the noise. "Let's go get Nako!"
They fought their way down a side corridor, Cherry kicking open a locked door.
"Finally," she breathed. "Nako!"
Kail froze. "Captain Nicako?!"
There was no time for questions. The three of them plunged back into the fray.
But in the chaos, Semmy's brother, Simul, seized Cherry from behind, cold metal pressing against her temple.
"Stop!" Simul roared. "Drop your weapons, or I kill her!"
Cherry's eyes narrowed. And then-she did something insane. She drove her own knife into her side. The pain was white-hot, but it startled Simul enough for her to slam an elbow into his ribs and follow it with a savage punch to his jaw.
Kail was on him in an instant, raining blows until Simul hit the ground.
The battle ended with Anderu bursting in, a wave of police behind him.
"How the hell did you convince Philips to back us?" Kail demanded.
Anderu smirked. "He didn't tell his senior."
But a cold voice sliced through the air. "Inspector Philips... maybe you should."
The DCP himself stood in the doorway, flanked by more officers.
The commissioner stiffened, but the DCP's gaze was icy. "You're suspended. Effective immediately."
Turning to Anderu, the DCP barked, "Take every officer you need. Shut this down."
"But I'm only an SI-"
"Not anymore." The DCP's lips curved faintly. "Congratulations, ACP Anderu. Now go."
Anderu didn't waste a second. "Arrest everyone," he ordered. "Including the commissioner."
He turned to Cherry. "I'll need all the evidence you collected."
Cherry's smile was faint but confident. "Netly-give it to him."
Outside, the night was still humming with the aftershock of violence.
"Let's go," Cherry said to Kail.
Kail gave a tired grin. "Coffee?"
Cherry tilted her head. "For a date?"
"No. Just coffee."
"Do you play PUBG?" she asked suddenly.
"...Yes?"
"Good. Coffee and PUBG."
Kail chuckled. "You're not like other girls. Maybe your mom's right about your marriage."
Cherry glared. "Kail!"
Novel End.