Chapter 89
"Got it!" Sophia's earpiece buzzed with firm, determined voices, laced with a mix of tension and excitement.
Right now, a carefully orchestrated operation was unfolding under Sophia's watchful eye.
To keep things low-key, Sophia had the officers split up and blend in by wearing plain clothes.
Each one took a different route, cautiously making their way to the target spot.
Henry, with Gary by his side, ventured deep into the city's roughest neighborhood.
According to the intel Gary had shared earlier, the shady deal was going down somewhere in the tangled mess of the slums.
The area was a maze of tightly packed houses and narrow streets, bustling with people from all walks of life.
Almost every young person who came to the city chasing their dreams ended up here, thanks to the cheap rent. The place was always buzzing with life, but it also provided a perfect hideout for some shady characters.
Bringing a female target along would be too obvious and might raise suspicion, so Sophia decided to hang back. She followed them from a safe distance, close enough to keep an eye on things.
She moved like a shadow, her eyes locked on the target ahead, her steps light and careful.
Using the buildings and crowds for cover, she expertly stayed out of sight.
After a few twists and turns, Henry and Gary finally slipped into a narrow alley.
The alley was dark and damp, with moss-covered walls on either side and overhead wires crisscrossing like a spider's web, slicing the sky into tiny pieces.
Sophia scanned the area, quickly spotting the perfect hiding spot thanks to her years of experience in criminal investigation.
It was a corner piled with random junk, next to a discarded trash can, giving her both cover and a clear view of the entrance to their destination.
She slipped into the spot silently, pressing herself against the wall, her eyes glued to the scene ahead.
Meanwhile, Gary stopped in front of what looked like an ordinary restaurant.
He turned slightly, giving Henry a meaningful look.
After a slight nod from Henry, Gary took a deep breath, adjusted his clothes, and walked into the restaurant first.
As soon as he stepped inside, the noisy atmosphere hit him.
The air was thick with the hearty laughter of some tough-looking guys, mingling in the murky air.
Gary tried to stay cool, using a street gang tone, he loudly said, "Hey, I'm here to deliver the goods. Is Mr. Turner around?"
He tried to keep his voice steady, but the slight tremor in his tone gave away his nerves.
The door was opened by a guy named Carl, who had tattoos covering every inch of his exposed skin except his face, giving him a seriously intimidating look.Carl leaned against the wall, his eyes filled with disdain and suspicion as he sized up Gary and Henry.
Seeing someone else with Gary, his face darkened, and he said with some displeasure, "Isn't the delivery supposed to be done by one person? Why do you need two for this?"
His tone was full of doubt, and his eyes revealed a hint of suspicion.
"This is my buddy. He insisted on tagging along. I thought I'd show him the ropes," Gary explained with a forced smile, trying to ease the tension.
Henry immediately caught on, his face breaking into a humble smile as he extended his hand to Carl, saying apologetically, "Sorry, I'm new here and don't know the rules."
His tone was sincere, and his eyes showed a hint of reverence.
"Alright, you guys can go in," Carl's face softened considerably, feeling quite pleased with Henry's respectful attitude.
In the slums, these patrolling street thugs, though often arrogant in front of some people, were well aware of their low status.
In front of the real big shots, they were nothing but insignificant pawns.
Henry's respectful demeanor made Carl feel comfortable, and his attitude towards the two improved noticeably.
Carl, with a swagger he thought was stylish, led Henry and Gary deeper into the restaurant.
The further they went, the stronger the strange smell in the air became, a mix of tobacco, cheap perfume, and some special kind of leaf.
Henry frowned, growing increasingly alert, knowing they were getting closer to the core area.
Finally, Carl stopped in front of a closed door.
He adjusted his clothes, his expression becoming deferential, and knocked lightly on the door, saying respectfully, "Mr. Turner, your guests are here."
His voice carried a hint of reverence, starkly different from his previous arrogance.
"Let them in, and you go stand guard downstairs," a deep, raspy voice commanded from inside, exuding unquestionable authority.
"Yes, Mr. Turner," Carl nodded repeatedly, his face showing a fawning smile.
He turned and opened the door, then gestured for the two to enter.
Henry and Gary walked into the room one after the other.
The dimly lit room had such weak lighting that it was hard to see the surroundings clearly.
In the center, a man sat on a sofa, smoking a cigar. His eyes were hazy, and without even looking up, he asked in a low voice, "Where's the stuff?"
"Mr. Turner, this... this is the stuff. But as per my boss's instructions, we need to see the money first. Do you have it ready?" Gary said nervously, unbuttoning his clothes to reveal the hidden items.
His hands trembled slightly, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
Seeing the white bags wrapped around Gary, Rob's eyes momentarily showed a complex expression.
But after a brief pause, Rob pointed to a suitcase behind him and said indifferently, "The money's in there, but I need to check the goods first. We'll trade after that."