The Devilish Assassin Meets The Angelic Detective

Bryan was obviously having a hard time dealing with this shocking revelation. But he had no choice but to accept the truth and put the other matters in the back of his mind in the meantime. Their main concern right now was the safety of Erick's parents.

After telling Bryan the truth about Elle's identity as Catseye, the three of them discussed further the details of Elle's plan for their rescue mission in saving Erick's parents.

"So are you telling me that you will come with us during this mission? Our team might be shocked once they see Casteye there with us! Are you serious?" Bryan asked Elle inquisitively.

"No. I won't literally come with you. I'll go there with my team separately." Elle said as she corrected Bryan's thoughts.

"Eh… you also have your own team? I thought you were just working alone! Oh, I remember you have one accomplice right. Who is he?" Bryan was able to adjust and the fear he felt toward Catseye a while ago slowly dissipated. Now, he was asking her casually.

Upon hearing his question, Elle paused for a moment. She remembered how Bryan and Charles got along really well and they became close buddies. 

She didn't know how Bryan would react once he learned that Charles was her accomplice so she decided to hide the truth from him. Besides, Bryan just recovered from a shocking revelation. She didn't want to give him another one.

She also asked for a favor from Erick. She didn't want to implicate Charles with her crimes. She hoped that he would start a new life.

After much thought, Elle responded to Bryan. "You don't have to know him. Don't ask too many questions. There are things that are better to be left unsaid. If you don't know much then It is also for your safety." 

Elle threatened him so that he wouldn't ask too many questions about her team. Her strategy was effective. Even though Bryan was very eager and curious to know everything but still, he controlled himself from asking her, afraid that something bad would happen if he learned a lot of things about Catseye.

"So what's the plan?" Bryan asked.

"My team will serve as your back-up in shadow. So don't worry too much. We have your backs. You just need to focus on securing Erick's parents' safety." Elle reassured them.

"I am still worried about you. Can't you just let my team and your team do this? Can you just stay with Rose and April? You don't have to come with us. We can handle this." Erick couldn't help but voice out his protest.

Elle heaved a deep sigh. "Erick, we already talked about this. We will do this together. Trust me! I can protect myself. Besides, I really want to do this. Mom and Dad are also very important to me."

"I agree with her. Catseye is very capable. I feel secure and confident knowing that she is on our side. Hehe," Bryan also supported Elle.

"See… even Bryan is acknowledging my skills. Why can't you do that too?"

Erick just heaved a sigh of defeat. "Alright. I won't further argue with you regarding this. Just fulfill your promise to me!"

Elle smiled tenderly as she nodded at him.

"For now, don't tell your team regarding this. I will communicate with the two of you during this mission." Then Elle picked up two small communication devices in her pocket and gave it to them.

"Here… we will talk with each other through this."

The two men just nodded as they received the devices from her. Then Bryan raised his hand to have another inquiry.

"One last question… The Azumi Twins are expecting Erick to bring Catseye along with him. They might hurt Uncle Raymond and Aunt Sarah if they will not see Catseye with him. You still need to appear in front of them, right?"

When they heard that Erick and Elle met each other's gaze. Then they turned to look at Bryan meaningfully.

"Hey… why are you looking at me like that?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After spending several hours discussing their strategy and plan, Bryan finally left the husband and wife alone in their home. Tomorrow would be their final preparation together with the other members of the Joint Task Force.

They had just finished having dinner. Erick took a shower first while Elle took the chance to contact Master Phantom. She learned that he just arrived at City Z together with his three henchmen.

She told him over the phone about the overview of her plan. She would meet them tomorrow for the preparation and final briefing. They only had one day left before their upcoming encounter with the Azumi Twins.

They assumed that there were also Dark Knight members who would come to help and assist the twins so they needed to be more careful this time. There should be no room for mistake and miscalculation or else someone's life from their side would be put in danger.

They couldn't afford to lose another comrade or friend. This was also the right time to launch a counterattack and avenge their comrade- for Agent Marie and for Brother Xu.

Elle wouldn't also be generous this time. Besides, Erick's parents also became her bottom line. She won't hesitate to unleash her demon and make them experience her wrath.

This would be the price they should pay for going against her and for touching her bottom line.

Elle just finished talking with Phantom when Charles popped up in her mind. She decided to call him.

The call had just gone through when Charle's excited voice was heard.

"Elle! How are you? I thought you have already forgotten me. I am glad that you call me now!"

Elle couldn't stop herself from smiling. She had to admit that she really missed Charles's presence as well as his blabbering mouth.

"You're overthinking. Do you think I am still a heartless partner who will just forget about her partner after going through a lot of life and death situations for so many years?"

Elle could hear his soft chuckles from the other line.

"Of course not. I am just being overdramatic here. I am just missing you a lot. Can I come back already?" 

"Dummy! It was just only a few days ago when you had left City Z. How is your health?" Elle asked him with concern.

"I am recovering well. Three days from now I can remove the cast in my legs and right arm," Charles replied cheerfully.

"I am glad to hear that. How's Uncle Antoine?"

"He is doing good too. He keeps on telling me the stories about their previous missions of Master Phantom. He is also starting to train me. He taught me some tips and strategies about accomplishing different types of missions. I will be able to apply those when we start working together again!" Charles was very enthusiastic while talking to Elle about those things.

Elle let out a soft chuckle. "Alright. That's great. Behave and recuperate first. After your training, come back here. I am looking forward to a new Charles."

"I will. Wait for me. I will not disappoint you!" Charles said to her confidently.

"By the way, what happened to our Master's mission?"

Elle felt sad after remembering the bad news. "Something bad happened. We lost one comrade- Brother Xu. But don't worry Master Phantom and the rest are just fine. We will not let his sacrifice be in vain. Master will make sure to punish the people responsible for his death."

"F*ck those people. I have to recover fast and assist you and Master with avenging our brother's death. Then we will punish those bastards who killed your family!" Charles said through his gritted teeth.

A light flashed into Elle's eyes. She wanted to finish her last mission once and for all. She was looking forward to a new life for her and for Charles together with the important people in their lives. Hoping for a new start.

"Charles…"

"Hmmm, yes, Elle?"

"Take good care of yourself always!"

"I will. You too!"

"Charles?" she called him again by his name.

Charles couldn't help but chuckle. He loved to hear her voice calling his name.

"Hmm?"

"From now on, let's try our best to live happily with no regrets."

Charles was taken aback after hearing that. But he didn't dwell much on it as he replied to her.

"Yes! We must do that! We deserve to be happy!"