The Devilish Assassin Meets The Angelic Detective

"I know. But let's make Erick believe that you are able to steal this gun from me. Let's go now and you must grab me. Use me as your human shield. Snipers are everywhere. I will not allow them to have a clear shot on you." Elle suggested to Charles.

"Eh, are you sure about that? What if they will still shoot us? They might be desperate enough to catch me. I don't want to put your life in danger just because of me." Charles didn't agree with her suggestion.

"Besides, I thought you didn't trust cops ever since that tragedy happened to your family. Are you confident now that they will not harm you in exchange for catching me?" Charles asked her quizzically while thinking about the possible pros and cons of this scenario.

Elle shrugged her shoulders. "I'm a civilian. They have the duty to protect me at all costs. I don't fully trust them yet but I trust Erick. He will protect me." Elle said with certainty.

Charles rolled his eyes after hearing that. 'Érick again. Always thinking about Erick. Jeez. She's really madly in love with that detective.' Charles squinted his eyes at her at that thought.

"If you say so, then I think I'm gonna die in his hands first because he will protect you no matter the cost. I might not be able to leave this place if he sees me grabbing you as my hostage." Charles said slightly mocking her.

Elle glared at Charles. 'He's really a changed man. He can even mock me now without being scared at me. Wow. Should I praise him or get angry at him?' Elle pondered to herself.

"Stop arguing with me. We have no time left. Do you wanna go to prison? Then be it… let them catch you. Oh, Let Erick catch you so that he will take the credits. Hehe," Elle teased him.

"As if your man will take all the credits. You know he's not like that." Charles murmured to himself but Elle was still able to hear it. She just smiled at his words.

"So, what's your decision now, Catseye?" Elle said to him, giving him a meaningful look.

Charles could only bob his head. He had no choice but to agree with Elle's suggestion. It would be hard for him to escape this place without her help. 

They were about to leave that room when Erick suddenly arrived. Fortunately, they managed to hear his incoming footsteps so Charles grabbed Elle immediately before Erick could see them.

On the other hand, Elle cursed inwardly. '[email protected]! Why is he so fast?'

When Erick came into their view, Charles was behind Elle, wrapping his one hand over her chest across her shoulders. He was pointing a gun at the back of her head. Erick watched both of them in horror.

'F*ck! Am I too late again?' Erick thought to himself. His face became pale in an instant. His heart was beating so fast. His eyes that were filled with fear and concern for Elle were looking at her with confusion as if telling her, 'I told you to wait. You promised me you would wait. What happened? Why are you being held captive by Catseye?'

As if Elle could read his mind, she lowered her gaze. She couldn't look straight in his eyes. She felt a pang of guilt deep inside her heart. The room was engulfed by silence. Charles was just silently observing Erick's reaction.

He had so many questions in his mind right now. When and how Erick found out that Elle was alive? From his expression alone, he could tell that Erick was so scared right now. He was afraid that something bad might happen again to Elle. 

Fear and helplessness clouded Erick's mind. But he was trying to calm his emotions because once he began to panic then there's no way he could think clearly of how to save Elle.

"P-Please…" Erick mumbled with his trembling voice.

Elle could only close her eyes and bite her lower lip. She could hear the worry and anxiety in his voice.

'[email protected]! Why I didn't think about what Erick would feel once he saw me like this?' Elle cursed herself.

"Don't hurt her… she's innocent. Please… just take me as your hostage in exchange for her. I promise I will not fight back. You have my words." Erick begged Charles, feeling so desperate and helpless.

Elle and Charles were both dumbfounded after hearing his proposal. He was willing to do that just to make sure Elle's safety. Because of that, Elle became more guilty for her action.

Meanwhile, Charles couldn't talk, or else Erick would find out his identity.

"Eh, How am I supposed to talk to him? See… your man is willing to sacrifice himself for you. Jeez. What should we do now? He's worried sick about you, Elle. Should I take his offer? Is your man trustworthy? Are you sure he will not fight back?" Charles whispered.

Elle was still undecided when suddenly more people arrived at their location. Seven policemen headed by Officer Kim. They were holding their guns and pointed at Charles and Elle's direction upon arrival.

"Stop, drop your guns! Don't shoot! We have a hostage situation here!" Erick immediately warned them with his cold and firm voice.

Officer Kim signaled his men to stop aiming their gun at Catseye's direction. He was surprised to see Aliyah Ross inside and she even became a hostage now by Catseye.

"Chief Lee, what is Aliyah Ross doing here?" Officer Kim could not stop himself from asking Erick.

"I will explain to you later. But our main priority now is to keep her safe." Erick promptly responded.

Officer Kim just nodded at him in agreement.

'[email protected] The situation becomes more complicated with Officer Kim and other's presence. I think we should start the negotiation now.' Elle thought to herself.

"Ahem, Officers… this person behind me just told me his demand. First, pull out your snipers who are hidden and scattered around the area. Second, once he leaves this place with me, you are not allowed to follow us. Third, make a clear path for him. He doesn't want to see any single policeman waiting at him outside."

'Great, aside from being his hostage, I become his spokesperson.' Elle laughed inwardly, trying to ease the tension she was feeling as of this moment.

"I said, take me as your hostage instead of her!" Erick insisted. He was both pleading and demanding him.

Charles and Elle looked at him helplessly.

"Eh, I told you. Your man is a very persistent guy. What should we do with him?" Charles mumbled in a low voice wherein Elle was the only one who could hear him.

Elle sighed deeply and said, "He said he couldn't exchange hostages as of now but he will allow you to follow us so that you can see that he will follow the agreement of not hurting me once all his demands will be fulfilled by the cops."

They were still negotiating when Officer Kim received a call from his other team who was monitoring Edson Tyler.

"Huh?! What did you say? Missing? Edson Tyler was kidnaped by Catseye? How could that be possible? Catseye is in front of me now."