The Captain I Married by Chance novel Chapter 254

"And they aren't pressure-triggered."

That meant the kidnapper absolutely had a detonator.

Tranquilizer darts acted fast, but against a kidnapper arrogant enough to rig the entire perimeter, no one could predict his pain tolerance or reflexes. If the dart hit him and he managed to press that button before going under, the entire site would be instantly leveled.

Dead silence fell over the command post. This wasn't the most dangerous operation they had ever faced, but it was certainly the most unpredictable.

Just what kind of deep-seated grudge would drive someone to this level of apocalyptic revenge?

Targeting Nolan made sense given his background. But why go to these extremes for Nora?

Before this, Nora and Nolan had crossed paths barely twice. She surely didn't warrant this kind of collateral damage.

"We're changing the plan," Nathan ordered without hesitation. "Keep the tranquilizers ready as a backup. Get the bomb squad down here on standby."

Based on the sheer volume of explosives, a complete detonation sequence would likely take at least five minutes. If it came to that, they desperately needed EOD specialists.

"Bring in the hostage negotiators." Since a hard breach was off the table, they had to buy time.

"Captain, Mr. Devereaux is on the line."

The call couldn't have come at a better time. Nathan skipped the pleasantries and gave Mr. Devereaux a blunt assessment of the situation.

"I'll talk to him myself," Mr. Devereaux stated. A brief flash of panic had hit him upon learning his son's life hung by a thread, but he regained his composure remarkably fast.

"Whatever the ransom is, I'll deliver it personally."

He loved his youngest son dearly. He would throw himself into the line of fire if it meant saving Nolan.

It was probably the first time the kidnapper had ever seen a hostage actively begging him to demand a ransom. He gave a meaningful smirk. "You're quite sensible, Mr. Devereaux."

"Does being sensible come with a reward? Can you let Nora and me eat something first? You still have instant noodles, right? Make us a bowl each, and throw in a sausage. We won't eat for free—just add it to the ransom bill. My dad loves me. He won't short you a few bucks."

Nora sat in stunned silence.

She couldn't tell if Nolan was deliberately trying to annoy the man or if he genuinely thought this way.

Did he really think a kidnapper cared about a few extra dollars for a hot dog?

What was the kidnapper supposed to say? 'I have your son. If you want him alive, leave one hundred million and twelve dollars and eighty cents at the drop-off point, or he's dead'?

Was Nolan secretly aspiring to be a stand-up comedian?