Chapter 89: Climbing the Mountain (Part 2)

Forty minutes into their trek along the forest trail led by Rosalind, everyone's spirits had significantly dampened.

The morning mist had long dissipated, and the sun now beat down intensely. The path was rough and challenging, but Rosalind's face remained bright with a relaxed smile.

Lucy murmured to Tim, "I think she's toying with us. She probably just wanted us to join her for a hike."

Tim agreed. "Yes, she's enjoying making the LAPD dance to her tune. It's all part of her game."

Shawn Del Monte, ever the righteous figure, said sternly, "If it means bringing closure to three families by finding their loved ones' remains, then let her enjoy it."

"And then our esteemed assistant district attorney will get to bask in the spotlight on the evening news?" Jack quipped quietly to Tyler Kelly, who was breathing heavily, her face flushed with sweat.

Tyler, despite her exhaustion, replied, "Everyone gets what they want, right?"

"Take a break. There's still a long way to go," Rosalind announced as she stopped in a small clearing.

Sergeant Gray picked up his radio. "All units, hold position. Take a break."

Jack pulled out two bottles of water from his backpack and tossed them to Tyler and her cameraman. He opened a third for himself, taking a couple of swigs.

John also pulled out a bottle from his pack. Rosalind lifted her shackled hands, indicating she needed help to drink. As John fumbled awkwardly, Nira rolled her eyes and took the bottle from him, offering it to Rosalind.

Jack's sharp instincts alerted him to a disturbance nearby. He called out to Sergeant Gray, "Do we have anyone other than SWAT securing the perimeter?"

Gray, having just downed a whole bottle of water, looked puzzled. "No, why? Did you spot something?"

Jack's keen gaze cut through the trees, catching a glimpse of a shadowy figure about 20 or 30 meters away. "There's someone over there, but they seem to be in plain clothes."

The group followed Jack's pointing finger, their eyes narrowing in confusion. Suddenly, a gunshot rang out, the bullet whizzing just above Rosalind's head.

John immediately tackled her to the ground while the rest of the team scrambled for cover. Only Shawn Del Monte stood frozen, dumbstruck by the unfolding chaos.

Almost simultaneously with the gunfire, Jack yanked Tyler Kelly to the ground, dragging her behind a thick tree stump and gesturing for her cameraman to take cover.

"Stay here and don't move."

Another shot rang out, this time striking a tree trunk near Del Monte. The flying splinters made him cry out in pain as he fell to the ground.

"I'm hit! Somebody help me!"

The officers had no time for him, their focus on finding cover and returning fire.

"Stay put!" Jack ordered Tyler once more before signaling Tim. He made a hand gesture indicating they should flank the shooter from both sides.

Angela's pregnancy was still a secret, so the only person Jack trusted implicitly in a combat situation was Tim, his former battle comrade.

Tim nodded, understanding the plan. He ducked into the left side of the forest while Jack slipped into the right. Before diving into the woods, Jack gave Angela a quick signal, pointing to his eyes and then towards where Tim had gone. She nodded, understanding she needed to keep watch.

Jack and Tim moved swiftly, circling behind the shooter. The assailant, a middle-aged Black man armed with a carbine, was nervously reloading behind a large tree, unaware of the approach from behind.

"Drop the gun! Put it on the ground and surrender!" Jack and Tim shouted in unison. Hearing their voices, the officers at the front ceased fire to avoid any friendly casualties.

"Hands on your head! Fingers interlocked. You're under arrest."

Tim stood firm, his gun trained on the suspect. Jack holstered his Glock and pulled out handcuffs, quickly restraining the man kneeling on the ground.

"Are there others with you?" Jack asked.

The man, now calm but with a trace of despair in his voice, replied, "No, it's just me."

Lucy approached and pulled the man to his feet, naively asking, "Were you trying to rescue Rosalind?"

The man scoffed bitterly, "Rescue her? I'm here to kill her. She murdered my wife!"

———

In the forest clearing, Zoe didn't wait for the police cars to stop before jumping out and rushing towards the group.

"What happened?"

SWAT team leader Hondo looked displeased. "Someone managed to hide under a camouflage net and evaded my team's surveillance."

Rossi pointed to the middle-aged man being loaded into a police car. "His name is Peter. The third victim of Rosalind Dale was his wife. The police have only ever recovered half of her remains."

John mumbled, almost to himself, "That family lost the mother, and now the father is going to prison."

Tyler Kelly, having finished her live report via the news van's camera feed, stood quietly on the side, her eyes fixed on Zoe.

Jack glanced at Tyler and then asked Rossi in a low voice, "Do you think all this was orchestrated by Rosalind?"

Rossi looked towards the deranged old woman being led back into the armored vehicle. He snorted. "Didn't you notice her expression earlier? She's reveling in this. That ambush spot was definitely leaked to Peter by one of her associates."

"She's insane. If Peter's aim had been better, she'd be dead now," John said, struggling to understand the situation.

Jack felt he had underestimated Rosalind. "Maybe Peter was chosen precisely because someone knew he lacked shooting experience."

Just then, Sergeant Gray and a bandaged Del Monte approached.

"Maybe we should call it a day," Sergeant Gray suggested to Zoe.

"Absolutely not!" Del Monte immediately protested.

"Listen, Captain Anderson, if we stop now, we'll be back here next week or next month, with twice as many people and media swarming all over the place."

Zoe rubbed her temples, acknowledging the sense in Del Monte's argument.

"Fine. We'll keep going. Everyone, stay vigilant. I'll arrange for additional police support."

It was already midday. The group had a quick bite before preparing to set off again.

Jack was surprised to see Rossi joining them this time. He glanced at Rossi's expensive leather shoes.

"Let's bet. I give it less than fifteen minutes for Rosalind to lead us to the burial site," Rossi shrugged.

The group continued through the forest, with Rosalind chattering incessantly, trying to engage John in conversation.

"I've been thinking. You saved my life earlier. I haven't thanked you yet. I almost skinned Peter's wife alive. Why would you protect someone as heinous as me?"

Even the normally good-natured John couldn't hide his disgust. "It's my duty. I'm just doing my job, whether it's for you or anyone else."

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