The Devilish Assassin Meets The Angelic Detective

The next whole day was spent in the preparation of the Joint Task Force and Catseye's Team. Elle and Erick were both separated from each other in the meantime.

As they had agreed, they would just see each other tomorrow evening at the meeting place which was set by the Azumi Twins. Elle's team would infiltrate the M.V Athena first.

Once Erick received her go signal then Erick's team would also take their moves according to their plan. 

Since the negotiation would happen in a ship and in the middle of the sea, it was expected that they would need diving gears for them to conceal the other members' presence. Fortunately, the mission would happen during night time.

This was a secret mission of the Joint Task Force. Their Unit Chief and superiors had no idea about this. The Azumi Twins had warned Erick not to bring back-up nor inform the police authorities about this negotiation.

However, if things would become risky and something would go wrong, Erick's team would contact Rose and April for help. They would be the ones who would call the police back-up.

Elle had also warned Erick to be wary and be. more careful in disclosing information about this mission to others aside from the Joint Task Force. She believed that the Dark Knight Organization had eyes and ears everywhere even in police departments.

They couldn't afford to have an information leakage that might jeopardize their safety in this rescue operation. At least, with no more outsiders involved then they would be at ease that there would be no traitor in the team.

Meanwhile, Elle also went to her hideout. Phantom and others were already there, waiting for her arrival. When she arrived, she saw them sitting in her living room while checking and assembling their sniper rifles.

Placed in the middle of the living room table was the skeletal map and blueprint of the M.V Athena. This big cruise ship was owned by the Dark Knight Organization. They were too extravagant, allowing the twins to use this ship.

The moment Lu saw their Lady Boss, he stopped what he was doing and stood up immediately to greet her with his bright and cheerful smile.

"Lady Boss!" Lu's enthusiastic voice reverberated in the entire living room, catching the attention of others.

There were only three henchmen who accompanied Phantom in returning to City Z. It was brother Yu, Yan, and Lu.

Elle nodded as she returned their greetings. Her eyes roamed around the living room searching for Phantom.

"Where's Master Phantom?" she asked them when she didn't see him.

The three men exchanged meaningful glances before they responded to her. 

"Lady Boss! Master is not-" Lu was about to say something regarding Phantom's condition when he stopped midway as Brother Yan stepped on his foot.

"Ouch!" Lu was not able to complete his sentence. 

When he looked up, he met the warning gaze of brother Yu and brother Yan. He had no choice but to keep quiet. He was so excited and happy to see their Lady Boss that he forgot what Master Phantom had ordered them.

'You must not tell her about what happened to me in the hospital.'

Elle couldn't help but sense that something was off with the actions of the three men in front of her. 

'Are they hiding something from me?' She started to have a doubt.

"Lady Boss, Master Phantom is resting at one of your guest rooms. He is waiting for you." It was Brother Yu who answered her question.

Elle just nodded at him before she went to meet Phantom. She knocked on the door twice before she made her presence known to Phantom.

"Master, it's me, Elle. Can I enter?" she said as she asked permission to him.

"Come in." Phantom's hoarse voice was heard from the inside.

With his go signal, Elle entered the room. Then Phantom's pale face greeted her sight. He was sitting on a chair near the bed.

Elle couldn't help but frown upon seeing his appearance. 

"Master, are you okay? You don't look well." There was a hint of worry and concern in her soft voice.

Phantom's lips twitch into a gentle smile before he replied. "I am fine. I am just tired because of our long travel," he lied.

"Come.. and sit." Phantom offered her the available wooden chair beside him.

Elle complied as she walked over and sat down.

"All our weapons are already prepared. Is there anything you want to request?" Phantom asked her immediately.

Elle saw all the weapons in the living room, even the equipment and gear that they would use to infiltrate the ship without alarming their enemies.

"Yes, Master. There is something missing. Code B. I think we will be needing it. Lots of Code B." There was a chilly glint in her eyes after saying that.

Phantom was taken aback for a moment. Then after a few seconds, he let out soft chuckles.

"You are not planning to spare them this time, are you?" he said with amus.e.m.e.nt in his eyes.

Elle didn't answer him but she just flashed her signature evil smile.

"I just want to let them know that this is their biggest mistake… going against me and trying to hurt the people who are dear to me."

"Tsk Tsk Tsk… they didn't learn their lesson." Phantom clicked his tongue. 

He knew for sure that these people would have a taste of the devil's viciousness.

"So I guess Erick and the Task Force are also preparing now," he added.

"Yes, Master." she simply replied.

"The Dark Knight Organization was your former client. Now, they have the guts to hire someone just to kill you. After using you in eliminating their strong competitor, now they are trying to hunt you." Phantom's eyes were filled with mockery because of that thought.

"They wanted to bury the truth that they are the mastermind behind Jorge's Assassination. But they are now too late. James Arison already learned their involvement. He starts making his move. He will avenge his father's death no matter what." Elle could somehow empathize with James.

They both had similar situations: Seeking revenge for their parents' death.

Phantom could guess what Elle was thinking as of this moment.

"I am glad that you are able to handle the leader of the Skull Gang. It seemed like you really established a strong connection with James Arison. I didn't expect that both of you would end up being friends." There was a gleam in his eyes while saying those words.

Phantom was just observing in shadow but he knew what was happening on Elle's end. Even he could tell that James Arison had feelings for Elle.

On the other hand, Elle put on a faint smile as she remembered her last conversation with James. She was glad that things between them ended up having a positive outcome.

After interacting with James for the past few months, she discovered that he was not that bad. She already felt content knowing that they didn't need to treat each other as enemies.

"Master, just in case we get into trouble and badly need some support we can contact James. He is willing to offer us some help especially if it is related to the Dark Knight Organization."

"Hmmm. Alright! I will keep that in mind." 

Phantom paused for a moment then he decided to tell Elle what Antoine had discovered before regarding the relationship between Erick's father and her father.

"Elle… do you remember? Before I left to rescue my men, I told you that I have something to tell you when I come back." 

"Yes Master, I do remember. What is it? You can tell me now." Elle was anticipating Phantom's response.

"Just a few months ago, Antoine contacted me because he learned that someone was investigating my track in the past and that person was looking for you."

Elle was startled upon hearing that.

"Looking for me?" she looked at him confusedly.

Phantom nodded to confirm it before elaborating further details.

"It is related to the case of your family's death and your disappearance sixteen years ago. That person found out that you are still alive. Therefore he never stops looking and searching for you." As he told her the information, Phantom was carefully assessing Elle's reaction.

Aside from her shock expression, there was also a hint of puzzlement evident to her face. Then her eyes darkened as she remembered again her ugly past.

"Who is that person? Is he one of those people who killed my family?" She said with her stern cold voice. She couldn't hide the sorrow and fury that she felt as of this moment.

"That person is Raymond Lee. Erick's father."