Antonia surveyed his surroundings with caution. The alley was deep and winding, its many intersections creating a labyrinth. Clearly, the criminals had chosen this location for its complexity, knowing they could easily escape if needed.
From a distance, Antonia spotted a surveillance camera positioned at the entrance of the building Tom had mentioned. On the second floor, a window stood bare, no curtains obscuring the view, though the inside remained impossible to see. The possibility of a one-way mirror crossed his mind. Someone inside might be watching for any sign of movement outside.
At the end of one alley, a man sat smoking a cigarette. His vigilant eyes scanned the area, clearly acting as a lookout for the operation. One man upstairs, another down here—everything was coordinated, a perfect system to monitor the area and avoid detection.
Approaching the house silently seemed impossible. Antonia sighed, his mind racing through options. However, there was no other choice. He would have to call for backup.
Despite his reputation for being reckless, Antonia was fully aware of the risks involved. His boldness came from a unique ability—his system, which could instantly verify the identities of criminals. That's how he managed to excel in his academy exams and became such a formidable figure in the field.
"I'll have to take Tom back," Antonia muttered to himself. "He's no longer needed for now. Ethan can handle him."
Before he could voice this plan, Antonia noticed the lookout standing and slowly walking toward their direction. Tom, who had been hiding behind Antonia, looked fearful and immediately spoke up, his voice shaking.
"Brother Officer..."
"Shut up!" Antonia hissed, giving him a sharp look. "Stay behind me and don't say a word."
"If things go wrong, I'll let you go, but you'll have to turn yourself in at the station afterward!"
Tom gulped, his mind racing. Could he really trust Antonia? The thought of surrendering to the police was daunting, but his current position left him with little choice. He clung to the hope that Antonia might actually let him go, as he had promised.
He stood frozen behind Antonia, his eyes scanning the approaching figure—a young man with a confident demeanor. Antonia's eyes locked onto him as he approached, calculating every detail.
Twenty meters... Ten meters... Eight meters...
Antonia's system clicked into action, providing him with instant information. The man's name was Stephen, 28 years old, a known member of the human trafficking organization Wand His criminal history was marked with serious offenses.
Stephen flicked his cigarette butt with a flourish, watching as it landed in a nearby trash can. He looked toward the alley where Antonia and Tom hid, but saw nothing suspicious. He adjusted his pants and unzipped...
Then, something caught his eye.
A shadow? A leg? Was it a person?
Before he could fully process the strange sight, Antonia was already in motion.
A sharp slap to the forehead knocked Stephen off his feet, and in an instant, he was immobilized. His mouth was covered by a large hand, stifling any sound. He tried to resist, but his efforts were futile.
Antonia, with his powerful grip, lifted Stephen off the ground by his neck, his face cold and unwavering. "Blink if you can understand me," Antonia ordered, his voice low and menacing. "Otherwise, I'll crush you."
With the pressure building, Stephen finally blinked, his fear overwhelming him. His eyes widened, and Antonia's grip loosened just enough for him to regain some control.
"Good," Antonia muttered, his voice barely a whisper. "Now, if you want to live, you better start talking."
Stephen, dazed and terrified, scrambled to his feet. He looked up at Antonia, eyes filled with a mix of fear and confusion. "Who... who are you?" he stammered, clearly trying to gauge how to handle the situation.
"Don't play games," Antonia replied, his face hardening. "I'm the one who's on the right track."
Stephen, realizing the gravity of the situation, let out a nervous laugh, attempting to recover his composure. "If I've offended you, I'll make it right," he said, offering a shaky smile. "I'm just a small fry in the organization, nothing important."
"Don't try to get clever with me," Antonia snapped, his voice unwavering. "Tell me everything you know about the operation."
Stephen hesitated, his eyes darting to the alley entrance. He clearly knew how dangerous it was to cross someone like Antonia, but fear of getting caught by the police was even more terrifying.
"Alright," Stephen said after a long pause, lowering his gaze. "You want the truth? I'll tell you everything. The house you're looking at—it's a front. It's not just human trafficking. There's something bigger going on. Drugs, weapons... All kinds of illegal activities. You might want to call for backup."
Antonia grinned, satisfied with the information. "Now you're talking."
Meanwhile, Tom, who had been silently watching the interaction, couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine. He was thankful that he hadn't tried to escape earlier. The thought of being caught in such a brutal manner made him shudder.
"Get up," Antonia said, pulling Stephen to his feet. "You've been a big help today. Now, lead the way."
Stephen nodded meekly, still in shock from the encounter. "This way," he said, pointing toward the building with trembling fingers.
Antonia glanced at Tom, his voice firm. "Stay close and don't make a sound."
As they began moving forward, the weight of what was ahead loomed over them. With Stephen's cooperation, they had a chance to uncover the full extent of the criminal operation. But Antonia knew that the real challenge was just beginning.
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