Steve?
Darnell and Kendra widened their eyes, confirming that the robbers were indeed related to Zane.
Mathias didn’t pay much attention to it. “If they kill us, there won’t be any evidence left.” His eyes glinted with a cold light.
“But it’s a pity that I am not a lamb waiting to be slaughtered. It would be best for him to pray that we die here. Otherwise, if I make it out of here alive, I will make sure the Swain family pay their price!”
Several bandits nodded in agreement. Then, the wolf-masked robber glanced outside. “The special police have arrived. Both streets are under strict control.”
“No way out? They are our way out!”
The pig-masked robber snorted, “With hostages in our hands, the police not only won’t dare to charge in, but they will also have to listen to us and clear a path for us.”
“Monkey, keep watching outside. If there’s any movement, show them what we’re capable of with a few shots.”
“But make sure to cover yourself.”
He whispered, “To prevent their snipers from trying something.”
The monkey-masked robber nodded solemnly, then tensely watched the outside. The pig-masked robber assigned his rabbit-masked companion to watch Kendra and the others, and then said to the bull-masked robber, “Take that man to check the vault, see if there really are twelve zodiac figures worth three hundred million. If there are, bring them all out.”
The bull-masked robber nodded. “Understood.”
Then he pointed his gun at Darnell and barked, “Lead the way!”
“Sir, I know there are twelve zodiac figures in the vault, but I don’t know where the vault is or have the keys,” Darnell said glumly. “Besides, I had my eye on those zodiac figures first. Couldn’t you give me a share?”
“Manager, go open the vault,” the pig-masked robber ordered the short, fat man. “Behave well and you might live.”
As the manager rose, wiping his sweat, the pig-masked robber approached Darnell with a slight smile. “Young man, I admire you. You’re completely fearless in this situation, showing you’ve got what it takes to be a robber.”
“Go with them. You came prepared for these zodiac figures, so you must have done your research on them.”
“With you there, the manager won’t dare lie to us. Go with my brother. If you’re on our side, you won’t miss out on the rewards.”
He patted Darnell’s shoulder. “Young man, don’t disappoint me.”
“Thank you, thank you!” Darnell said cheerfully, then gestured repeatedly. “Let’s go find those zodiac figures.”
He measured the distance between the six men and noticed Mathias’ bulging waist, finally abandoning any thoughts of attacking.
Darnell followed the manager and the bull-masked robber to the vault. Kendra watched their retreating figures, losing in thought.
The dog-masked robber walked to Mathias’ side. “Boss, these days gold is hard to fence.”
“I’m not taking it to sell,” Mathias smiled faintly.
“You’re surrounded! Put down your weapons and surrender!”
Outside, an authoritative voice boomed through a loudspeaker into the jewelry store, catching the robbers’ attention and making everyone tense. Clearly, the life-or-death negotiations had begun.
Darnell paused. This was quite a coincidence. He recognized Judith’s voice. That woman arrived quickly.
“Surrendering is your only way out. Resistance leads only to death…”
Darnell shook his head silently, knowing such negotiations rarely worked. Robbers would willingly surrender when pigs flew.
But he knew this was ultimately a way to break the stalemate. With that thought, he shook his head, discarding unnecessary thoughts and focusing on walking forward.
After the announcement was repeated twice, another person took over, continuing the psychological tactics.
Meanwhile, in a modified vehicle outside, Judith was directing technicians to hack into the jewelry store’s surveillance system.
The pig-masked robbers hadn’t had time to destroy the cameras, so the monitors clearly showed everyone’s movements inside the store, including the four armed robbers.
“Fifty-eight people in total, including six robbers.”
Kameron quickly assessed the situation, pointing at the LCD screen and speaking softly, “One leaning against the wall in the hall, one standing by the huddled crowd, one hidden behind a pillar by the door, and two on the second floor. They’ve also arranged six store employees as human shields at the entrance.”
“These people are quite cunning and have combat experience.”
Kameron’s expression was grave as he added, “This will be a tough battle.”
Judith exhaled deeply, responding solemnly, “Indeed, the five of them are spread out, all hiding behind obstacles. They seem to be aware that police might use snipers.”
“Also, these men are the toughest of tough robbers. By their gun-handling, they’re no easy character.”
“Wait, weren’t there supposed to be six robbers? Why do I only see five?”
Kameron paused briefly, then focused on the screen. “That’s right, only five. Where’s the sixth?”
In such situations, any variable was critical. The police needed to clarify every detail.
Judith instructed, “Rewind that!”
The technician quickly rolled back to five minutes earlier.
“A bull-masked robber escorted two people to the back. From the path, they seem to be headed to the vault.”
Just then, Kameron scanned the screen again and suddenly stiffened. “Captain Meech, he, he’s…”
Judith narrowed her eyes. “Who?”
Kameron slapped his thigh excitedly. “Darnell! The guy chatting with the bull-masked robber is Darnell!”
Judith paused briefly, then looked closer, confirming that the man joking with the robbers was indeed Darnell.
“Damn it! What game is this weirdo playing now?”
Judith looked puzzled. “Why is he acting like an old friend with the robbers?”
On the screen, Darnell was calling for the bull-masked robber and others to go to the vault.
Kameron’s lip twitched as he exhaled. “I trust him,” he stated, not believing Darnell was in league with them.
Judith thought for a moment, then waved her hand. “Have the negotiation expert continue communicating with the robbers. Whatever their demands, stall them.”
“We need to attract their attention to give Darnell more time.”
Despite her conflict with Darnell, in critical moments, she chose to trust him.
Kameron nodded. “Understood.”
Just then, another convoy arrived. Before Judith could order them away, the vehicles stopped, and about a dozen men in uniform emerged, guns at the ready, establishing a perimeter. They all looked imposing.
Next, a woman in blue clothing stepped out from the middle car and walked directly to Judith’s group, her manner arrogant.
“Mr. Peel has ordered that from now on, our Tempest Squad will take charge here.”
Judith’s eyes hardened. “Mr. Peel? I haven’t received any orders.”
The blue-clad woman replied haughtily, “Edward Peel from the Peel family in Goldkeep.”