Wrong Interrogation Room, The First Cracked Case Shocked the World

Chapter 85: Breaks out in silence, Ning Cheng plans!

Inside the bank, sweat beaded on Ning Cheng's forehead. The gangsters grinned, their triumph palpable. Presumption had consequences. They were robbers, outlaws, holding hostages—even the police bowed to them. Ning Cheng's broken finger was a stark demonstration of their power. The pain was a perverse thrill, a twisted revenge.

"Enough?" Ning Cheng rasped, his voice strained. He activated his walkie-talkie. "Boss Liu, can we negotiate?"

The pain was raw, undeniable. The yellow-haired gangster had been brutal, severing his finger without hesitation. The agony was soul-wrenching.

"Excellent. Now that the police know our faces, let's talk terms," Liu Hailong's voice, calm and chilling, came over the walkie-talkie. From his perch on the second floor, he watched, eyes half-closed, his purpose served. He'd broken Ning Cheng, sent a message to the police: these were desperate men, unafraid to kill.

Liu Hailong understood his gang's fear of the police, especially now, surrounded and trapped. Their only option: blackmail. Hostages were their leverage.

"Boss Liu, state your terms," Ning Cheng said, his voice trembling.

"Five fully fueled cars. Get us out, all of us. And I don't want to hear 'can't do it.' Each refusal means a dead hostage." Liu Hailong's tone was devoid of empathy. "We're outlaws, Officer Ning. We've nothing to lose. We'll die with a few hostages if we have to."

The hostages cowered. The threat was chillingly real.

"Five cars," Ning Cheng agreed instantly. He had no choice. He'd anticipated this demand.

"Not enough. No tracking devices. You know the consequences," Liu Hailong countered.

"Agreed. But how do you guarantee the hostages' safety?" Ning Cheng pressed.

"My sincerity will be evident when I see those cars. I'll release twenty-six hostages. Ten remain," Liu Hailong stated.

"The remaining ten?" Ning Cheng asked.

"Naive to think I'd release them all. Two will come with us. Any police action, and they die. They're our insurance." Liu Hailong's plan was blatant, a calculated risk he was confident the police couldn't counter.

The robbers in the hall breathed easier. Their boss hadn't abandoned them.

Ning Cheng understood. He needed to inform the police.

"I'll tell them," Ning Cheng said.

"You can't be trusted," Liu Hailong snarled. "Are you here to play games?"

"I can decide. They'll agree." Ning Cheng's voice was steady. "We understand your concerns. I'll go inform them and arrange the cars."

"I don't believe you. Huang Mao, go confirm with the police. If they hesitate, bring me Ning Cheng's head." Liu Hailong's order was sharp.

Ning Cheng watched Huang Mao leave, his eyes narrowed. Liu Hailong didn't trust him, even after the brutal display of power. But Ning Cheng had a secret weapon: a listening device. Li Gang, the police captain, knew everything.

Ning Cheng's true concern was the timing of the police's assault team. Could they strike before the cars arrived? Liu Hailong's plan was clever; hostages in each car provided a shield. The best solution: eliminate the robbers before they escaped.

"I hope they're ready," Ning Cheng murmured, anxiety tightening his chest. He couldn't risk more casualties. Letting these criminals escape was unthinkable.

Suddenly, his watch vibrated – the signal. Li Gang was ready. Ning Cheng's eyes scanned the four remaining robbers. He needed a weapon. And he saw it: Huang Mao, returning with a pistol.

The opportunity had arrived.