Chapter 33

Hank, a seasoned police officer, possessed a sharp mind. Upon receiving a report, he quickly assimilated the information at hand, drawing connections and making immediate inferences.

No. 17, 96th Street appeared to be an ordinary two-story building in the Brooklyn suburbs, but it held a secret—it was Jaquier's address. Just days ago, Jaquier played a crucial role in dismantling a smuggling black gang. Despite the gang's eradication, Jaquier continued his undercover mission, still operating within the remnants as a black gang member.

The ongoing contest between the New York black gang and the NYPD demanded exceptional undercover agents, a rare commodity. Over the past decade, the NYPD's undercover infiltration plans faced repeated setbacks, with only individuals like Jaquier and Jack gaining trust due to their genuine New York backgrounds.

However, the vulnerable point for these undercover agents was their families, exposed to danger during operations. The NYPD had pledged to protect their families, making the addresses of these agents a top priority.

When Hank received distressing news from Jaquille's family, he couldn't shake the suspicion that recent actions had exposed the identities of these undercover agents, triggering retaliation from the remnants of the black gang. If Jaquille's family suffered misfortune, it would not only damage the NYPD's reputation but also betray the trust placed in them by the undercover agents.

With this realization, Hank took a deep breath and, while organizing his equipment, addressed Goofy, "Goofy, gather your team; this is the home of undercover agent Jaquille, and his family is likely targeted by criminals!"

Goofy, deeply impressed by Jaquier, immediately became serious and followed Hank out of the car.

Hank, gun drawn, cautiously navigated the yard and approached the front door. Instead of hastily opening it, he shouted through the front window, "NYPD, did you call the police?"

Goofy, conducting a thorough screening of the yard, identified clear signs of violent intrusion through the living room window. He alerted Hank, "Hank, someone entered through here."

Before Hank could respond, a panicked cry for help echoed from a small second-floor window. It was Jaquier's sister, and two little boys peeked out behind her. She reported a lone gangster inside, and her family was hiding in the bathroom.

Goofy, concerned for their safety, questioned her, "What's happening inside? How many gangsters are there? Are you safe now?"

The sister, in distress, explained the situation. Goofy reassured her, "Hold the bathroom door; don't let the gangsters rush in!"

As Hank heard the details, he applied pressure on the gangsters inside, "You're surrounded! Drop your weapons and surrender. You're already surrounded; put down your weapons!"

Footsteps echoed within the house as a desperate gangster sought an escape route. A siren in the distance signaled the arrival of additional police officers, preventing the gangsters from escaping recklessly. Two police cars arrived at the scene, and officers from other jurisdictions cooperated with Goofy and Hank to surround Jaquille's home.

The situation became more complicated as Jaquier's sister described the gangster holding a hostage. In an attempt to control the gangster's emotions, Hank shouted to the room, "You're surrounded; our support has arrived. Surrender now, or you'll face consequences!"

This tactic worked, and after a while, the front hall door opened. A burly middle-aged man emerged, holding a white-haired old gentleman at gunpoint with an M1911. The gangster, arrogant and sneering, warned the officers against rash actions.

Jaquier's sister, witnessing her father's kidnapping, screamed anxiously. Hank gestured for her to stay silent, avoiding provoking the gangster.

The fearless gangster descended the stairs, threatening the police officers. Although surrounded, the officers hesitated, guns pointed but unable to make a decisive move.

In the midst of the standoff, Goofy contemplated the dangerous mission ahead—to rescue hostages from a gun-wielding assailant. With a strategic approach, he calmly addressed the gangster, "Do you think the NYPD cares about the hostages you take? You haven't paid attention to the news; the NYPD often treats gangsters and hostages alike."

With a cough, Goofy calmly said to the gangster, "Please, my friend, do you think the NYPD will care about the hostages you take? You really don't know the NYPD; haven't you paid attention to the news? The NYPD often beats the gangsters and the hostages together. into a sieve."

"What?" The gangster was dumbfounded by what Goofy said. Is there such a thing?

The old gentleman in the gangster's hands was even more frightened and took a breath: What? You say the NYPD is going to slap me into a sieve too?

Hank had a black line on his face and quickly reminded Goofy in a low voice, "Ahem, that's what the LAPD (Los Angeles Police) did; our NYPD is not so brutal."

Goofy curled his lips: "NYPD, LAPD...it's almost the same anyway; I'm trying to rescue the hostages; don't interrupt."

After that, he turned to the gangster again and said loudly, "My friend, to tell you the truth, the NYPD doesn't care about the life and death of an ordinary hostage. It's pointless for you to kidnap this old gentleman. We should shoot you or have to shoot you! Besides, this old gentleman, old and frail, what if you can't stand the shock and die of a heart attack on the spot? Don't you have a license to play?"

After thinking about it, the gangster realized that this was the truth, so he quickly asked, "What do you mean?"

Goofy smiled lightly, then first put the gun under his feet, then raised his hands towards the gangster, took two steps forward, and said calmly, "Well, as a hostage, I am more valuable than this old gentleman. Come on, you take me as a hostage, and then let this old gentleman go; you won't lose this deal. What do you think?"

 The gangster, bewildered, questioned the credibility of Goofy's statement. Hank, concerned about potential misinformation, clarified that such brutal tactics were associated with the LAPD, not the NYPD. Goofy continued negotiating, proposing himself as a more valuable hostage than Jaquier's father.

In a bold move, Goofy placed his gun on the ground, raised his hands, and approached the gangster, offering himself as a hostage in exchange for the elderly man's release. The gangster, considering the proposal, created a temporary standoff as both sides weighed their options.

Goofy smiled lightly, then first put the gun under his feet, then raised his hands towards the gangster, took two steps forward, and said calmly, "Well, as a hostage, I am more valuable than this old gentleman. Come on, you take me as a hostage, and then let this old gentleman go; you won't lose this deal. What do you think?"