The team sat around the table, focused on Rafael's plan. Hazel, Rafael, Ken, Robert, and Peter shared one goal.
Rafael pointed at the Georgia section on the map, his expression serious.
"His men will be in this school, likely posing as staff. We need to move swiftly," Rafael said.
Hazel stepped up.
"We need to go there as soon as possible."
Rafael nodded. "I've already dispatched our team. They'll blend in as casual staff members and inform the school authorities. The cooperation is secured."
Peter raised a concern.
"It would be risky."
Rafael agreed.
"Yes, it will be. If we alert the school authorities to cancel classes or close the school for the day, it might tip off Francisco's men, and they'll disappear."
The room went quiet.
"We can't afford to lose them," Hazel said firmly. "We need to apprehend them before they scatter."
Robert added, "But how do we ensure minimal disruption to the school? We can't compromise the safety of innocent students."
Rafael responded, "We can coordinate with the school discreetly. Maybe they can evacuate the students under the guise of a safety drill without raising suspicions. That way, we can ensure the safety of the students while executing our mission."
Hazel looked at Rafael and subtly shook her head. Her quiet gesture showed she had doubts about part of the plan.
Rafael understood her concern without a word. Despite the urgency, he respected her hesitation.
He turned back to the group.
"Adam in Georgia, Freddie in Texas, and the rest of us will focus on the main operation. We'll apprehend the main culprit tomorrow morning."
Everyone took in the plan, ready for their roles in the high-stakes mission ahead.
****
At dawn, the police raided Francisco's mansion with speed and precision. The team split into two groups. One secured the perimeter, checking every corner. The other, following Hazel's instructions, broke through the mansion's defenses and searched the inside.
Another police unit moved cautiously toward the torture cell.
Tension filled the air outside the mansion. Team members communicated with silent gestures... signals built through training and experience.
As they neared the torture cell, anticipation grew. The team leader signaled a brief pause, urging caution.
One officer stepped forward and shot the lock. The door swung open, revealing a horrifying sight... four chained, snarling dogs. They barked wildly, drool dripping from their jaws.
The officers quickly backed away. The barking echoed through the halls. To avoid a confrontation with the dogs, they shifted their focus back to the main mission.
Meanwhile, the noise stirred the mansion's residents. One by one, they came out of their rooms, shocked and confused by the chaos around them. The operation was in full swing, peeling back the mask of luxury hiding Francisco's crimes.
Upstairs, an officer entered a room and tried to wake Francisco.
Francisco slowly opened his eyes. He sat up on the couch, touching his forehead as he processed what was happening. His eyes met the officer's in a brief, tense exchange.
"Mr. Francisco, you have to go with us," the officer said firmly.
Francisco didn't respond right away. He looked down, hands clasped, detached from the chaos.
The officer repeated, "Mr. Francisco!"
Francisco finally looked up. "Do you guys have a warrant for it?" he asked, calm and unfazed.
"Of course, Mr.," the officer replied.
A familiar voice cut through the tension. Rafael stepped into the room, a sly smile on his face. Francisco looked up and sighed.
Rafael, full of confidence, teased, "Officer, you are funny."
"Do you know what you are doing?" Francisco shot back, his voice laced with defiance and irritation.
"I know it very well, Francisco," Rafael replied.
This wasn't just a standard arrest... it felt personal.
Francisco tried to stay in control. With a calm but sarcastic tone, he said, "Wow, okay then. I will see how many hours you are going to make me prison."
Rafael smirked and gave a small nod. "Let's go!" he ordered.
"But I need to talk to my lawyer," Francisco said, reaching for his phone. Rafael moved quickly and blocked him, denying the call.
"Francisco, you are under arrest because of smuggling and drug dealings," Rafael said, still smiling.
Francisco took a deep breath and stood. He stepped closer, locking eyes with Rafael. "Can you keep me in your cage, Rafael?" he asked, voice teasing.
Rafael held his ground, cool and confident. "Let's see, Francisco. After all, the pen drive is in my hand."
Francisco stared at him, eyes sharp. He understood now. He knew Hazel's true identity. But instead of asking questions, he chose a different response.
He looked Rafael in the eye and said darkly, "I will make your life hell, Rafael. You and your partners, no one will keep me in their hands."
A mocking smile crossed his face, full of defiance. Even as he faced arrest, Francisco made sure his threat was heard... loud and clear.
Rafael was unfazed by the threat, pulled out the handcuffs and walked toward Francisco to restrain him. As he moved closer, one of the officers hesitated and asked, "Sir, do we need to do it?"
Rafael glanced at Francisco, his voice steady.
"He is a criminal," he said.
"And we need to treat all criminals in the same way."
It was a reminder that the law applies to everyone, no matter their power or influence.
Rafael led Francisco out of the mansion, the handcuffs locked tightly around his wrists. Francisco's guards looked uneasy, but with a simple signal from him, they stepped aside.
"I will come back soon," Francisco said, his voice firm and commanding.
He turned to Lily, his most trusted maid, and gave an order.
"And Lily, take care of everything. You know well what to do."
"Yes, master!" Lily replied, nodding with full understanding.
As the police convoy pulled away in the early morning light, it carried Francisco toward the station. The entire raid had unfolded without media attention or public interference. Only those involved knew what had happened.
At the police station, news of Francisco's arrest spread quickly. Officers and staff buzzed with energy, a mix of tension and pride. In Alex's office, Hazel stood in her police uniform, facing her superior.
"Well done, Hazel," Alex said.
"I am proud of you."
Hazel stood tall, hands behind her back, composed and respectful. But she knew the job wasn't over.
"But still, we have not gone into the main situation," Alex added, his expression serious.
"I know, sir," Hazel said calmly.
"This news will be spread soon, and I know how much pressure is going to come from the government."
Catching the weight of her words, Alex sighed deeply. His concern was clear.
"And I am so tensed about the other mission. I hope they will succeed in the school mission," he admitted.
Hazel kept her calm, trying to reassure him.
"Don't worry, sir, we will," she said with quiet confidence.
But deep down, she wasn't fully at ease. It wasn't the pressure or the school mission that truly worried her... it was the thought of facing Francisco again.
"Sir, everything will be fine. If we could keep Francisco in jail for some days. If somehow he comes out from jail, then those missions will slip from our hands," Hazel said, her voice steady but heavy with concern.