Chapter 27: Waiting in Ambush (Seeking Continued Reading)

Kales walked ahead, with Ossi following behind. The three of them entered a conference room, where several people were already present: Deputy Director Robin, Sergeant Collis from another team, and a few officers working at their computers.

Ossi couldn’t help but wonder why there were so many conference rooms left unused. Wouldn’t it be better to give him one as an office? At the moment, he didn’t even have a desk—Susan hadn’t cleared one for him yet. It was as if the department wanted to save on everything possible for its officers.

Deputy Director Robin gestured for Collis to explain the situation.

Collis pointed at one of the officers and said, “Our team used the account information provided by Little Black and accessed the police department’s private account, adding the ‘Night Angel’ as a contact. We posed as teenagers, asking whether he had goods, what the prices were, where and how the trade would take place.

We expected a tough and drawn-out battle, but to our surprise, Night Angel responded swiftly. He’s in Irvine and has various leaves and leaf products for sale. We settled on thirty dollars for an eighth of an ounce, and suggested that a school party was happening soon, so we might need more products. We urged him to come today, and he agreed.

The meeting was set for the parking lot behind the Happy Sparrow Cafe, near Jean Road. Based on mileage estimates, he should arrive by early afternoon, two or three o’clock at the latest.”

Deputy Director Robin said, “Kales, Collis, take your teams and wait in the area ahead of time. Prepare your plans for capture and interception. I’ll maintain contact with Night Angel to ensure he remains unsuspecting. Once Night Angel arrives, your officers must immediately confirm his identity and apprehend him. Under no circumstances should he escape. Is that clear?”

“Yes, sir!”

Ossi followed the two sergeants out. They were discussing personnel allocation and coordination, which didn’t concern him—a mere foot soldier. There were too many people involved in this operation, too many eyes. Unless absolutely necessary, lethal force against the target was forbidden. He could only treat it as a routine task and follow orders.

‘Ding dong.’

His phone chimed. Ossi glanced at it; Zoe Lin had texted him: ‘I’m at the school now. When will you come to pick up your car?’

He thought for a moment and replied: ‘I have a police car, and things have been busy lately. Leave it with you for now. We’ll talk later. I’ve set my phone to silent.’

Seeing Ossi’s reply, Zoe Lin was so angry she clenched her teeth. This scoundrel.

Ossi didn’t care what Zoe Lin thought. He greeted Mark and Wally, who had just returned, and both teams hurried to the agreed-upon location for the trade.

The officers spread their cars out, parking in concealed spots. The two sergeants went to scout the area.

Mark sidled over, grinning, “Barbarian, you’ve been quite the powerhouse lately, man.”

Ossi rolled his eyes. “If you stop calling me that nickname, we’ll still be bros.”

“What’s wrong with having a nickname? It proves everyone recognizes you. A guy like you, killing three people in just a few days—never seen anything like it.”

“Cut it out! You think I’ll believe you? If they really admired me, they’d come up with their own nickname. Using one from the newspapers means nothing,” Ossi scoffed. Barbarian was hardly a badge of honor.

The two were about to continue their banter when the radio crackled with Kales’s voice: “All officers, attention. There are two streets in front of the Happy Sparrow Cafe. Four officers should pair up and monitor the area. Report any suspicious vehicles immediately. If the arrest fails and the suspect flees down the street, pursue at once and do not let him escape.

Behind the cafe is the parking lot where the trade is scheduled. Ossi, you and Mark will wait in a concealed car in the lot. Keep an eye out for suspicious vehicles and individuals. Once the suspect is identified, block his car immediately upon receiving the order. Ensure your own safety.

There are several small roads beside the parking lot. The suspect is from another county, so he shouldn’t be familiar with the area. Other officers will hide along these roads. When given the order, drive in to block all escape routes.

Collis and I will be in plain clothes at the cafe, posing as customers to direct the operation. Find your own lunch, but make sure at least one person is on duty at all times. Is everyone clear?”

“Understood!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Let’s move.”

“OK, we’re paired up. Let’s head back and change into civilian clothes, then take our own vehicles. Man, how about I drive your XT4? I’ve never tried it—come on, hand over the keys!” Mark reached out, motioning for Ossi to hand them over.

Ossi brushed Mark’s hand aside and got into his police car. “Nope. Someone else has the car, so we’ll take your Corolla.”

“I remember you paid for that car in full—how’d someone else drive it off? Oh, I get it. You let a woman take it, didn’t you?” Mark snickered as he drove.

“So what if I did? I’m a perfectly normal adult, with perfectly normal needs.” Ossi casually opened a bottle of water from Mark’s car.

“That’s right, it’s normal. But, brother, as someone who’s been there, let me give you some advice: women are tigers.”

‘Pfft.’

Ossi couldn’t help himself; water sprayed everywhere, and he started coughing. “Cough, cough, cough, man, I remember you’re only twenty-eight, not married, and you don’t sound at all like a high schooler.”

“Isn’t it okay for me to have experience? Besides, my family was poor, so I couldn’t go to college, but my grades were good. Back then, I ranked two hundred eighty-seven in the grade.”

“Really? I don’t buy it.”

“You should walk back, then!” Mark snapped, embarrassed.

He was flustered, truly flustered.

Mark still brooded over not having gone to university. He figured that if he had, he’d now be a top lawyer or doctor. In truth, this was just self-consolation; with his grades, he wouldn’t have gotten into a good law or medical program anyway.

The two changed clothes, got into Mark’s Corolla, and parked in the Happy Sparrow Cafe’s lot, choosing a spot with a clear view that would let them block any vehicle quickly.

“Reporting in: Mark and Ossi are in position.”

“Copy. Keep alert; no suspicious vehicles or individuals reported yet.”

“Mark and Ossi, understood.”

Both reclined their seats, half-lying as they waited. Lunch was fast food Ossi had picked up; they made do with it.

This is where the cunning of the sergeants showed. Ossi and Mark watched through the glass as the two inside ordered steak, pasta, and drinks at the cafe. Ossi suspected that if not for the task, they’d be raising a toast as well.

“Attention, officers out front. We have confirmed the type of leaves and cash for the Night Angel deal. He could show up at any moment—stay alert.”

Kales was stuffing a mouthful of pasta when he heard the report, hurriedly washing it down with his drink, and coughing as he spoke into the radio: “Officers monitoring the intersection, report status. Any sightings?”