Chapter 561 - 157 The Rescue Begins

Chapter 561: Chapter 157 The Rescue Begins

Daniel’s POV

I stormed out of the law school building, my blood already at boiling point as I spotted the patrol officers leaning casually against their squad car. Behind me, I could hear Sybilla and Max Philip’s hurried footsteps, but my focus was entirely on these incompetent badges who had failed the one job that mattered most.

"Which one of you idiots told me Lila never left this building?" I demanded, stopping mere inches from the first officer’s face.

The younger cop shifted nervously under my glare. "Inspector Martinez, we maintained visual on all exits. We didn’t observe the young lady departing the premises."

"Then explain to me how you managed to let a suspicious individual walk right past your position without intervention." My fists clenched involuntarily as I fought the urge to introduce both their faces to the hood of their patrol car.

"Inspector, we assessed the situation and determined no action was warranted," the same officer replied, his defensive tone only fueling my rage.

"No action warranted?" My voice rose with each syllable, drawing stares from passing students. "Your assignment was to provide protection for a woman whose life is under direct threat from rival families, and you observed suspicious activity but chose to ignore it? What kind of law enforcement officers are you?"

The second officer was fidgeting like a guilty child, running his hand through his hair repeatedly. Something in his nervous energy told me he had more information.

"You," I jabbed my finger directly at his chest. "Start talking. Tell me exactly what transpired here, or I guarantee you’ll both be facing Internal Affairs by dawn, followed by immediate termination and possible criminal charges."

The officer swallowed hard, finally meeting my eyes. "Inspector Martinez, we did spot the individual in question. I immediately identified him as suspicious and recommended to my partner that we should intercept. But then several young women approached our vehicle and initiated conversation. My partner insisted it wasn’t a priority matter. While he was... distracted by one of the students, the suspicious male departed with someone wearing a black hooded sweatshirt. I couldn’t pursue alone - protocol requires backup in case of armed resistance. Their vehicle displayed no license plates."

The rage coursing through my veins threatened to overwhelm my professional composure. "Not a priority? Someone from a protected family was abducted under your watch and that’s ’not a priority’? I can’t decide what’s more pathetic - you abandoning your post to flirt during an active protection detail," I fixed the first officer with a withering stare, "or you being too cowardly to engage a single suspect when you’re armed and trained for exactly these situations. Both of you, get out of my sight before I do something we’ll all regret."

"Inspector Martinez, you wouldn’t actually file reports with Internal Affairs, would you?" the second officer asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Count on it," I spat, turning my back on both of them in disgust.

I strode toward my vehicle, my mind already calculating the next moves. I knew exactly who had orchestrated Lila’s abduction and where they would take her. The Sullivan family’s enemies had finally made their move, and my connection to both families made me the perfect target for their psychological warfare.

Pulling out my encrypted phone, I dialed Beckett’s number.

"Daniel," he answered, his usual casual tone immediately shifting when he heard the tension in my breathing.

"Beckett, they’ve taken Lila. A man infiltrated the campus and extracted her while those useless patrol officers were playing games. This has your mother’s fingerprints all over it. I’m sending you an image of the abductor - tell me if you recognize him," I spoke rapidly, already forwarding the security footage I’d obtained from campus surveillance.

"Daniel, this cannot be happening," Beckett’s voice turned sharp with anxiety. "Let me examine that photograph." After several tense seconds, he continued, "That’s definitely one of Connor’s enforcers. I’ve seen him at the underground poker games. Daniel, this situation is escalating beyond family politics. When did the extraction occur? What’s our operational plan?"

"Earlier this evening. They haven’t reached their final destination yet, but time is critical. I’m mobilizing my tactical team and heading to their location. We need to execute Lila’s recovery before they can consolidate their position," I explained while starting my engine.

"Smart move bringing your people. We can’t trust local law enforcement - too many of them are on Connor and Claire’s payroll," Beckett warned.

"I’m contacting Detective Gideon. He has an ongoing investigation into Connor’s operations and can provide legitimate backup without family complications," I said.

"I’m proceeding directly to Claire’s estate and I’m not leaving without my sister," Beckett declared, his voice carrying the unmistakable edge of a Sullivan family enforcer.

"Here’s what we’re going to do: maintain surveillance on her property and keep me informed of any developments. Once my team is assembled and equipped, we’ll rendezvous at the staging area. Beckett, if you get visual confirmation of Lila’s location, find a way to reach her. Under no circumstances allow that woman to harm her," I emphasized.

"Understood, Daniel. I’m already mobilizing our people," Beckett assured me, his voice now carrying the cold efficiency I knew he possessed when family honor was at stake.

I terminated the call and turned to address Sybilla and Max Philip, who had been waiting anxiously beside my car throughout the conversation.

"MP, did you drive here tonight?" I asked, and he nodded affirmatively. "Would you escort Sybilla home safely, please?"

"Absolutely, Daniel. I’ll remain with her until we receive word from you," MP replied, and I felt a measure of relief knowing my sister would have protection during this crisis.

"Daniel, you will bring Lila home safely," Sybilla gripped my arm, tears beginning to stream down her face.

"I give you my word, little sister. Try to maintain your composure until I return. Consider staying at Jude’s place if that provides additional security. And make sure Caleb is informed of the situation," I instructed her.

After ensuring my sister’s safety arrangements, I got behind the wheel and drove directly to the precinct. I immediately began making strategic calls - first to Detective Adler, who agreed to meet me at headquarters, then to my specialized team members who would be essential for this type of operation. Finally, I contacted Gideon, who confirmed he was on duty and that his detective was already en route to Lila’s city with authorization for cross-jurisdictional cooperation.

When I arrived at the station, my team was already assembled and ready for deployment. These officers all knew Lila personally and understood exactly what she meant to me; their determination was evident without requiring any motivational speeches.

"We’re bringing her home safe, Inspector," Officer Bella stated with absolute conviction.

I provided them with a comprehensive briefing on the situation and warned them about potential interference from corrupted local law enforcement. My team knew exactly how to handle such complications.

Detective Adler had already processed all the necessary paperwork for the kidnapping case and secured the required authorizations for our cross-jurisdictional operation. Even the Deputy Chief was present, offering full departmental support.

"Everything is properly documented, Martinez. Focus entirely on the rescue mission - I’ll handle all administrative matters until your return," Adler assured me.

"Adler, regarding those two patrol officers at the campus—" I began.

The Deputy Chief interrupted, "They’ve already been referred to Internal Affairs, Martinez. Their conduct is completely unacceptable and will be dealt with accordingly."

"Thank you both," I nodded appreciatively before heading toward the exit where my team was waiting.

As I walked past my assembled officers, I declared with absolute authority, "We’re not returning to this city until Lila Sullivan is safe!"

We departed in a convoy of three patrol vehicles filled with heavily armed officers prepared for any level of resistance. My mind focused on a single, unwavering objective - reaching Lila before that vindictive woman could inflict any harm upon her.