Chapter 199

199
When they arrived at the police station , Aria got out with her laptop bag . Orlando glanced out the window , his voice low . “ Bryant , is she really Llamano .
wife ? ”
Bryant forced a sheepish smile . “ Yeah , that’s right . Ms. Saxon’s actually a good person – just a little on the cold side . ”
“ Is that so ? ” Orlando let out a soft chuckle , his long eyes calm and unfathomable , hiding any trace of emotion . He gave one last look at the police station then drove away .
Aria paused to glance back , then headed inside .
Fryderyk got a call and made his way to the chief’s office . On the desk , a laptop screen blinked with a red dot . Fryderyk leaned over . “ Northside ? ”
Allen nodded . “ Yeah . That’s where The Thirteenth Sigil is holed up . There’s an abandoned factory there , site of an old murder . It’s been left empty for years . ”
Fryderyk frowned . “ That place is a nightmare for an ambush – tricky terrain , easy to lay traps , thirteen people inside and they’re armed . A direct assault won’t be easy . ”
Aria took it in stride . “ Start by sealing off the perimeter , cut off their escape routes . Fryderyk , I’m putting you in charge . ”
“ Got it , ” Fryderyk answered immediately .
“ Deploy the drone unit for surveillance . Take a team with Owen , capture them alive if you can . If they fight , use lethal force . ”
The bounty Aria posted was generous , but even so , few were willing to come – thirteen armed mercenaries in Huthailia was a death sentence for most . Hudson knew she had money ; he’d definitely rigged the whole place with traps .
Aria needed to scout ahead . She turned to Fryderyk . “ Mr. Fletcher , how’s your combat ability ? ”
Allen answered for him , grinning , “ Relax , he’s not as good as you , but he can handle himself – he’s better than any of the Thirteenth Sigil guys . If anything goes down , he’s got your back . ”
Fryderyk shot Allen a curious look . How did the chief know he couldn’t beat Aria ? He was even more intrigued about her true identity . “ So what’s your plan ? ”
“ Too many people and we risk scaring them off , ” Aria replied coolly .
“ Tonight , then ? ” Fryderyk pressed .
“ I’m in . ”
Allen interjected , “ Bring Owen . No sense wasting good manpower . ” He pulled out his phone and fired off a message .
“ Have you been to that factory ? ” Aria asked .
“ I’ve handled the case , ” Fryderyk replied .
“ Got any photos ? ”
“ Yeah , let me grab the files . Hold on . ” A few minutes later , he returned with a stack of crime scene shots .
They cleared the table , and Aria began spreading out the photos , sketching as Fryderyk described the layout . “ When you push open the main doors , it’s
all open space – used to be filled with machines , now just empty . Over here is the break room … ”
An hour later , Aria had combined Fryderyk’s memories and the photos into a detailed floor plan .
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Allen , watching from the side , was astonished . “ You’re a real artist too ? Every time we dig , we find more treasure . Wish I could recruit you for the
With a red pen , Aria traced a path . “ This spot’s perfect for an ambush – good sightlines , easy to attack and escape .
Fryderyk nodded , adding his own mark . “ We can bait them into a trap right here . ”
All that was left was to survey the area outside the factory .
Allen . watching the two of them , couldn’t help smiling .
They looked oddly well – matched . Maybe , once this mess was over , he could play matchmaker .
Fryderyk snapped a photo of the finished map . Aria gathered her things . “ See you at midnight , Mr. Fletcher . ”
Fryderyk knew she and Owen were neighbors . “ I’ll come by to pick you both up . ”
After leaving the station , Aria picked up two boxes of gifts and headed to Mason Webb’s home .
A woman answered the door , a baby in her arms . “ Can I help you ? ”
“ I’m Mr. Webb’s client . He did me a favor , so I wanted to thank him , ” Aria explained .
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