Jacinta shot an exasperated glance at him. “Cut the flattery. Sit here and discuss with me.”
While the police were urgently coming up with a plan, Winnie, Xavier, and Josiah sat at the side and listened.
Pointing at a map of the docks with a pen, Zayn instructed his subordinates, “The boat they requested will enter from here later. The rest stop has two doors—one in front and one at the back. Although it’s less likely that they’ll barge out from the front, we still need a few men to keep a lookout there. The containers are all located behind the rest stop. After walking around the containers, they’ll be able to enter the sea or board the boat. Most likely, this will be the route they choose. Since the containers are blocking our vision, we’ll need our snipers to position themselves at a high spot to secure a good field of vision.”
After a slight pause, he continued, “Since we’re very close to the sea, it’ll be difficult for the snipers to aim accurately if the kidnappers are moving quickly with the hostages. Hence, there’s not a lot that we can do ashore. Our focus should be on the boat that we’ve prepared for them. It’s a yacht that is big enough to hide two people inside and two people in the basement. In total, there are four hiding positions. Before subduing the kidnappers, you must remain hidden and not expose yourselves. The GPS on the yacht is connected to our GPS system, so we can track it regardless of where it goes. Remember that the most important task after boarding the boat is to ensure the hostages’ safety. You can shoot at the kidnappers when the need arises. Understand?”
“Understood!”
“Now, calibrate your watches. It’s five minutes before the agreed timing with the kidnappers. Go to your positions!”
“Yes, sir!” shouted the SWAT officers uniformly before dispersing.
The place immediately became quiet.
After thinking for a while, Josiah offered, “Lieutenant Zielinski, ask away if you need my help with anything. I brought a medical kit with me.”
“Okay!” replied Zayn with a nod. Immediately afterward, the phone on the car’s hood rang.
It was Rachel’s father’s phone. The caller’s name displayed on the screen was saved in the contacts as “Daughter.”
Glancing at it, Zayn frowned instantly. “It’s a call from the kidnappers.”
With that, he signaled at his colleagues behind him and answered the call.
When Zayn heard the new conditions that Zyon demanded over the phone, he frowned. Yet, to ensure the hostages’ safety, he had no choice but to agree.
In that case, however, his initial deployments would have gone to waste.
Trying to stall for time, he requested, “Since you changed your mind at the last minute, you must give us some time to prepare.”
“Cut the crap! If you come up with any more excuses, I’ll start killing the hostages!”
Even though Winnie and the rest did not manage to overhear the conversation on the phone, they clearly heard Zyon’s loud yell.
Knowing that Zyon wanted to stall for time as much as possible, Winne whispered to Zayn, “Let me try. I’ll ask to speak to my grandma and get more time for us to make preparations.”
Zayn nodded and passed the phone to Winne quietly.
After accepting the phone, Winnie said directly, “Zyon, I’m Winnie. I know that Granny is in your hands. I want to ensure that she’s still alive, so let me speak to her for a while.”
At the same time, Zayn changed his plan at the last minute and relayed the instructions to the relevant officers.
“There are so many people at the docks, but you picked my granny out of everyone! Is it because you hate me? If that’s the case, I’m willing to swap positions with her.”
Winnie’s words successfully attracted Zyon’s attention.
“Haha! So it’s you, Winnie! You arrived quickly, huh? How do you feel now? Are you scared? That’s why you shouldn’t have done what you did in the past. If you hadn’t opposed me, how would things have become like this?”
“I know that you hate me, so I’ll be your hostage. Release Granny and Rachel.”
“What do you think you’re doing, Winnie? Are you negotiating with me right now? Are you offering yourself in exchange for two hostages? Don’t you know very well who’s the kidnapper here?”
“Fine! We don’t need to swap if you find it troublesome. Let my granny answer the phone. I want to hear her voice.”
Although Zyon gave no response, Winnie could hear the sound of him kicking someone.
Immediately, Jacinta’s voice rang out. “Winnie! Is it you, Winnie? It’s dangerous here! Leave now! Stop meddling in this!”
“Granny!”
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