Chapter 104: Chapter 104
The group moved with speed. They left Charles to the man working as the cashier on the convenience store on the ground floor of their building. The guy was someone they helped and rescued by chance that he was too grateful. He served as cashier and also a lookout on their place when they were out on a mission. They asked him to look after Charles, and if anything happens, he has to call for them, not anyone else. They were already in the car, but their conversation with Jack Foster did not end. They stayed connected as Jack guided them on what to do and where to go. Only Jack knew where Brianna's place was, so they needed his directions.
Jack gave the location of where their families were being held as hostages. Blake will know who to appoint studying the possible route to get in and out of the place with less danger. They can only expect for less because the chance of having a safe one was off the table. Their enemy will never threaten a group of mercenaries who are more than capable of capturing them than obeying orders without precautions and a reliable defense system.
"We are not sure if your families are there, but the man who has them as hostages that called Charles earlier directed the call coming from this place. Get to him alive and make him talk where they keep your loved ones, okay?" Jack reminded them. He had to make his words clear, lest these fierce soldiers of hell would come after him for a misunderstanding.
"Understood," Blake confirmed. Then he turned to one of his men who is the best in strategic planning.
"Finn, check this out. Study the map and the digital blueprint of the whole building. Find every possible way in and out. We need to present our plans to Boss B as soon as we get the chance," he ordered.
They will also need to know what are the immediate weapons to bring to avoid over-packing. They need to be ready with and about everything, but they also need to be wise not to waste time and energy if there are possible and applicable options to choose from.
"Got it," Finn affirmed snappily.
"We might need a chopper. Do you have anyone we can hire or ask a favor?" Jack asked.
Everyone in the SUV vehicle fell silent. They exchanged glances, checking one another who could give a positive answer. When no one dared to respond, Blake regretfully informed Jack.
"Charles used to arrange such details for us. He never let us engage in creating connections with anyone aside from him," Blake gnashed his teeth in annoyance. He felt so stupid to rely so much on an old fox like Charles.
"It would be more convenient if you could get there through a chopper. It would lessen travel time, save more energy, and conserve them for the actual battle. Looking at the geographical map, you will have to cross a thick forest. There would be absolutely wild animals inhabited in there," Jack worriedly mentioned.
"Guys, try to think if you have anyone in mind we can turn to, just think, try to remember, a friend of a friend or an enemy. Anyone with connections to a chopper that can take us there," Blake blabbered as he was clueless himself.
Jack noticed Blake's desperation, so he quickly suggested he would make a call to Brianna, they need to mute the line from the group, but they can stay connected to listen to the flow of Jack and B's conversation.
"Make sure your mic is turned mute, okay?" Jack reminded. He was answered with silence, so he took it as the team heading to Brianna's place did as he instructed already.
Jack checked the surveillance camera. He saw Brianna walking to her bedroom. Lucien was wiping the tables while the other man was washing dishes in the kitchen sink. Not long after, Brianna walked out of her bedroom with a backpack. She was walking to her armory room when she got a call. Lucien walked to her as soon as he heard a phone ringing. He arrived at her spot with Brianna gazing blankly at her phone. Lucien checked the caller's name. It was a man's name. Jack Foster.
"Who is he?" Lucien asked curiously.
"I'm not sure," Brianna replied with a slight frown.
Jack chanted nervously.
"Please, B, you have to take this call."
Lucien was too curious that he tried to take the phone out of her hand cautiously and pressed the answer button then the loudspeaker.
"Hello?" Lucien spoke with hesitations. He was also scared to find out who the caller could be. It was a man's name, after all.
"Brianna, thank goodness you took my call," Jack excitedly exclaimed.
Lucien was taken aback at the excitement in the man's voice from the other line. He felt his heart squeezed by an invisible hand. Could he be someone special in Anna's life? Like romantically special? He cleared his voice and asked.
"Ahhhmmm... Who is Jack Foster to Anna?"
Jack was looking at Brianna's face the whole time. He was checking if she was faking her memory loss or not. To his horror, Brianna seemed to be totally clueless about who he was. But he regained his composure right away and felt pity for his little sister. He wanted to ask for more details, but he needed to connect the group with her to get her help. He decided to ask later.
"I am her elder brother, but we carry different last names because we are siblings by heart, not by mere blood," Jack stated with pride. "B, please talk to me. I can prove to you everything I say."
Silence filled the place. No one wanted to talk. They were giving Brianna the time she needed to speak. But when Jack noticed the distress in Brianna's face, he blurted randomly.
"I know you have noticed the surveillance cameras installed here and there in your house. You asked me to install them personally, and I am to watch over your place for any intruders when you are out on missions," Jack stated. "I can tell you where you are standing right now. I am looking at you, and I have been looking for you for the past few days. Remember when we met from a distance in front of LM buildings the other day? I waited for you to get back, but you didn't. I know you saw me, you looked right into my eyes, but you reacted oddly. I have been worrying for you ever since then. I searched for you everywhere, but I couldn’t find you. I regret rejecting your demand to put a tracker on you. But if you don't remember, the ugly scar on the inner side of your right arm was when one of your enemies got a hold of you and found out about the tracker in your arm. They deliberately sliced a hundred times longer than necessary to remove the stupid tracker. But like a soldier wounded, you became fiercer and caught them all off guard and left the place until you find help. I found you half dead, B. I was scared to death. I thought I almost lost you. So I did not allow you to have another tracker installed in your body. But this time, your phone was also untraceable. I saw you shot that Devil's son Charles Anderson, and I did not let you out of my sight, well, my virtual sight. I hacked and traced every camera you passed by to find you headed home. You sneaked your way in, a reason I couldn't understand why, but now I am sure you really lost your memory."
Brianna looked around. She saw a camera lens and looked straight at it. She felt the urgency on the voice, and she was curious. She looked to the lens and spoke like the man was right in front of her.
"What's the matter? Why do you sound nervous?" Brianna asked with a stern voice. She could feel the man's sincerity on the other line, but she was skeptical at why he sounded agitated.
"Well, I have to tell you that the man you shoot deserved it, but the people with him at the table earlier are innocent. They are your men, B. They were ordered to get Lucien Michaelson alive in exchange for their loved ones, who were being held as hostages. Now that Charles is still in a coma, the person who has their family is threatening to finish the task, or their family will be executed one by one," Jack answered in detail.
"Do you want me to handle my client over to save their families?" Brianna asked with a scowl, making Lucien smile complacently.
"No, no. B, of course not! That is insane," Jack hurriedly answered. "I know you know they are nearby your place."
Brianna confirmed Jack's words.
"If they are bold enough to enter my yard, let them try. I am waiting," Brianna answered confidently.
Tatum walked in from the kitchen, and he checked the window as he passed by one. Then informed Anna.
"I think we have company." He pulled his gun and checked the counts of bullets in its magazine.
Jack noticed Tatum's movement. He quickly reacted.
"Brie, they are your loyal men, and they are not armed. You can check them. They are waiting for your signal to enter. They will wait until you decide when they can come close to you, but they will never attack you. They know more than anyone else how you can end their life near or far. They need you. B!"