Chapter 199
When they arrived at the police station, Aria got out with her laptop bag. Orlando glanced out the window, his voice low. “Bryant, is she really Llamano.
wife?”
Bryant forced a sheepish smile. “Yeah, that’s right. Ms. Saxon’s actually a good person–just a little on the cold side.”
“Is that so?” Orlando let out a soft chuckle, his long eyes calm and unfathomable, hiding any trace of emotion. He gave one last look at the police station then drove away.
Aria paused to glance back, then headed inside.
Fryderyk got a call and made his way to the chief’s office. On the desk, a laptop screen blinked with a red dot. Fryderyk leaned over. “Northside?”
Allen nodded. “Yeah. That’s where The Thirteenth Sigil is holed up. There’s an abandoned factory there, site of an old murder. It’s been left empty for years.”
Fryderyk frowned. “That place is a nightmare for an ambush–tricky terrain, easy to lay traps, thirteen people inside and they’re armed. A direct assault won’t be easy.”
Aria took it in stride. “Start by sealing off the perimeter, cut off their escape routes. Fryderyk, I’m putting you in charge.”
“Got it,” Fryderyk answered immediately.
“Deploy the drone unit for surveillance. Take a team with Owen, capture them alive if you can. If they fight, use lethal force.”
The bounty Aria posted was generous, but even so, few were willing to come–thirteen armed mercenaries in Huthailia was a death sentence for most. Hudson knew she had money; he’d definitely rigged the whole place with traps.
Aria needed to scout ahead. She turned to Fryderyk. “Mr. Fletcher, how’s your combat ability?”
Allen answered for him, grinning, “Relax, he’s not as good as you, but he can handle himself–he’s better than any of the Thirteenth Sigil guys. If anything goes down, he’s got your back.”
Fryderyk shot Allen a curious look. How did the chief know he couldn’t beat Aria? He was even more intrigued about her true identity. “So what’s your plan?”
“Too many people and we risk scaring them off,” Aria replied coolly.
“Tonight, then?” Fryderyk pressed.
“I’m in.”
Allen interjected, “Bring Owen. No sense wasting good manpower.” He pulled out his phone and fired off a message.
“Have you been to that factory?” Aria asked.
“I’ve handled the case,” Fryderyk replied.
“Got any photos?”
“Yeah, let me grab the files. Hold on.” A few minutes later, he returned with a stack of crime scene shots.
They cleared the table, and Aria began spreading out the photos, sketching as Fryderyk described the layout. “When you push open the main doors, it’s
all open space–used to be filled with machines, now just empty. Over here is the break room…”
An hour later, Aria had combined Fryderyk’s memories and the photos into a detailed floor plan.
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Chapter 199
Allen, watching from the side, was astonished. “You’re a real artist too? Every time we dig, we find more treasure. Wish I could recruit you for the
With a red pen, Aria traced a path. “This spot’s perfect for an ambush–good sightlines, easy to attack and escape.
Fryderyk nodded, adding his own mark. “We can bait them into a trap right here.”
All that was left was to survey the area outside the factory.
Allen. watching the two of them, couldn’t help smiling.
They looked oddly well–matched. Maybe, once this mess was over, he could play matchmaker.
Fryderyk snapped a photo of the finished map. Aria gathered her things. “See you at midnight, Mr. Fletcher.”
Fryderyk knew she and Owen were neighbors. “I’ll come by to pick you both up.”
After leaving the station, Aria picked up two boxes of gifts and headed to Mason Webb’s home.
A woman answered the door, a baby in her arms. “Can I help you?”
“I’m Mr. Webb’s client. He did me a favor, so I wanted to thank him,” Aria explained.
AD
