CHAPTER 190: THE EXTRACTION

Under Sebastian’s leadership, the shadow guards moved towards the target as soon as the convoy stopped in front of the Cleveland Police South Bank station. Their target was fixed, but they needed to pinpoint the exact location around 53 to 57 Briggs Avenue.

They moved fast in the shadows. When they reached the geolocation provided by Eleanor, they started searching the nearby houses to match the face they had seen in the photo. But after searching a few houses, they couldn’t find any trace of their target.

After searching for a few minutes, they finally found her in an outbuilding of a nearby house. Georgia Doyle was sitting on a chair, her head tilted to one side, seemingly asleep. Her hands and feet were tied to the chair.

They proceeded according to the plan. Raphael went to search for hidden traps or any potential danger. Alaric and Elias went to find a safe and swift exit path.

Sebastian remained in the outbuilding with Georgia, to ensure her safety.

After a couple of minutes, Raphael came back. The other two selected a route for their safe exit and informed the team. They broke the boundary of the garden silently, so that Sebastian could take Georgia straight to the road.

They informed their situation to Eleanor and waited for the rescue team to arrive.

***

Inspector Reynolds took the beautiful paper box, which clearly looked like a gift box... and opened it. He was used to receiving presents, so he didn’t mind getting another. His mind anticipated a generous offering from the beautiful woman sitting in front of him.

But the moment he opened the box, he froze. He stared at it, his mouth hanging open.

Seeing his reaction, Eleanor spoke, "There is one hundred thousand pounds in the box. This is my thank you to you... for your time, mental distress, inconvenience, disruption of work, and of course... the coffee."

The inspector looked at her, dumbfounded.

But Eleanor wasn’t finished. She continued, "Don’t worry. There’s another box downstairs. That’s for your team. One inspector, one sergeant, ten constables, and two community support officers. That makes a team of fourteen people in this station. Currently, with you, eight are on duty. How you divide those two hundred thousand among yourselves is not my concern. That’s your job."

Inspector Reynolds’ mind raced. "What if this is a setup? I already have two investigations ongoing against me. A small gift is fine. But this amount... it’s risky." he thought.

He blurted out, stammering, "I... I... I’m an honest officer. I don’t take bribes."

Hearing this, Eleanor was amused. With a playful smile, she said, "Oh! That’s new! My team doesn’t usually make mistakes. There’s a vacation house beside Skinningrove Methodist Chapel in Saltburn, a shisha lounge on Granville Road near Teesside University, and several commercial spaces in Middleton Grange Shopping Centre... I wonder who owns these places."

This time, Reynolds panicked. He hurriedly interrupted Eleanor, "Please, don’t say any more. I was wrong. I’ll do whatever you say. Just don’t spill the beans in front of my colleagues. Please." He looked at Eleanor with pleading eyes.

Eleanor smirked, "Okay. I was just mentioning it in passing. There are a few more, but I won’t say any more. Inspector, then please help me rescue my friend. I want you to stay at this station until I leave. And keep your team in check so that no one speaks about today’s matter in future."

Through their earpieces, Eleanor and Isadora heard everything happening with the rest of the shadow team. At that moment, Alaric reported that they were ready on the other side. The rescue mission could begin.

Eleanor slowly stood up and said, "Inspector, please come with us to meet your officers. They must be restless, not seeing you for so long."

With that, she walked out of the room. Isadora and Livia trailed behind. Reynolds slid the box into his drawer and hurriedly followed them.

When Reynolds stepped out of his office, he saw several armed guards stationed at strategic points throughout the station. A clear picture formed in his mind... there was no way his police force could handle this. Except for HQ, no other station could deal with such a force. All they could do was obey... and weather the storm.

In front of the meeting room, Eleanor stopped and said to the guard standing there, "Start the extraction. Location is the same. Alaric will be waiting for you."

Every guard on this mission was a Clan Blanc member. Eleanor had no concern about the operation. She confidently walked into the meeting room. Behind her came the trio... Isadora, Livia, and the inspector.

She went straight to the main chair, sat down, and gestured for the inspector to sit beside her... which he promptly did. Livia also took the seat on her other side, while Isadora remained behind her, alert as ever. She gazed over the officers like a predator.

Seeing the inspector unharmed, the officers inside the room sighed in relief. Their fear receded slightly, though confusion lingered.

Eleanor looked to the far end of the table and spoke, "Constable Faith, right?"

Faith was startled by the sudden address but nodded in affirmation. She didn’t know what to say. But she didn’t have to.

Because Eleanor continued, "You’ve just graduated from university and joined the force. This is your first posting. As a rookie, you don’t know much about the operation of Cleveland Police. Your father died when you were a child, and your elder brother took care of your family. He is like a father to you. He’s now the Inspector of Victoria Station. Did you ever question how your brother manages your family’s current lifestyle on his salary?"

Faith looked at Eleanor wide-eyed. She knew something bad was coming, but she couldn’t pin down why her brother was being mentioned. Her whole body stiffened as she anticipated that something bad was coming.

Eleanor continued, "Bribery is a necessary evil in this gang-based region. If any officer refuses a bribe, gangs consider that officer a threat. You’ll learn in time that your brother did what he had to... for himself and for your family. I won’t call him a bad person. In fact, he’s rather good compared to most of the force."

She paused, then looked directly at the dumbfounded Faith and added, "I have some information for you. Your brother is currently cheating on his wife. His new girlfriend is a young reporter... just a year or two older than you. What he doesn’t know is that she’s a member of the Cobweb Drugs Ring, disguised as a journalist to collect police intelligence. You heard of Christopher Walker, right? The head of the heroin and cocaine distribution ring? Your brother’s girlfriend is Anna Walker. I don’t think I need to elaborate further. As an officer, you know what you should do."

The entire room fell silent. They even feared breathing too loudly. Everyone knew Faith’s brother... and how upright he was believed to be. If this became public, he’d surely lose his job.

But Eleanor wasn’t finished. She turned to another officer.

"Constable Marshal. I wonder how your girlfriend suddenly became wealthy after you joined the force. Darlington isn’t a large place where one can buy several houses and commercial properties unnoticed while supposedly being just a schoolteacher. You should’ve planned more carefully... invested in different regions. I understand you believe in your girlfriend... she gave birth to your child. But what if, one day, she decides you’re not enough?"

Marshal raised both hands and said in a subdued tone, "Miss... I don’t know how I’ve offended you. But please, stop here."

Eleanor said, "Oh no, you haven’t offended me at all. I’m just sharing information. Don’t you think, after hearing Officer Faith’s brother’s little slip, other such information should also be shared? Otherwise, it would be unjust to a man clearly more righteous than the rest of you."

***

The rescue team arrived in time and took position according to Alaric and Elias’s guidance. Sebastian broke the door lock of the outhouse and entered. Despite the sound, Georgia didn’t wake up.

Sebastian called her several times, but she didn’t respond. However, it was clear she wasn’t dead... she was still breathing. Upon closer inspection, Sebastian found several cuts and bruises on her body. Her dress was torn in many places. Her face was pale from weakness.

He knew it was hopeless to try waking her. In her weakened state, it was probably better for her to remain unconscious.

He untied the ropes and lifted her onto his shoulder. Then, he walked out of the outhouse.

He moved confidently through the garden toward the road. Elias was already standing beside the fence. Everything was going as planned.

But suddenly, a dog from the neighbouring house sensed something was wrong.

It started barking... loud and sharp. Whether it was Sebastian’s unfamiliar aura or Georgia’s limp form on his shoulder, the dog barked louder and more frantically.