Chapter 614 Safe Return, and Catherine’s Previous Hope
The two Galaxy carriers slowly swept past the s.h.i.+p and spat out a few marine vessels from their big bellies.
Because of these boats, the soldiers on the carriers weren’t at full complement, but the planes could still accommodate two hundred people.
In less than ten minutes, four hovercrafts arrived.
A searchlight on one of the hovercrafts then turned on, and there was the sound of a loudspeaker. “This is the U.S. Marines. Personnel on the s.h.i.+p, identify yourselves, or we will treat this as a hijacking and a terrorist attack.”
Luke glanced at Flegg, who said to an agent next to him, “Take a few men and delay them in talks. Buy us as much time as possible.”
He then said to another man, “Tell the collection squad to work faster and stop dawdling. The thieves are already here.”
After the two agents left, Luke said with a smile, “That’s the U.S. Marines. Aren’t you scared?”
Flegg grinned. “It’s because they claim to be the Marines that they definitely aren’t.” Luke was surprised. Flegg explained casually, “On missions, Marines will usually say that they’re the Navy or even the SAS, which makes wrangling easier.” Luke immediately got it.
FBI agents Flegg and Wales, for example, were as fake as the Marines in front of him.
When it came to fake ident.i.ties, it could be said that the various departments had complicated relations.h.i.+ps.
As long as they weren’t caught with evidence, the agencies often used another party’s ident.i.ty to s.h.i.+ft the blame.
The people on the deck clearly redoubled their efforts. Flegg turned his head and looked at Luke. “Shall I send you back?”.
Luke quickly nodded. “I’d really appreciate that. Can I take those two family members of mine with me?”
“Yes,” Flegg said without any hesitation. “It would be best to leave right now, or you won’t be able to get away once those guys come on board.” “I’ll be back in five minutes.” Hearing that, Luke instantly walked into the s.h.i.+p. A moment later, the three of them took Flegg’s hovercraft to the seaplane. After the plane took off, Luke looked down at the s.h.i.+p and asked, “You’re letting them take over?” Flegg hummed in response. “They have official approval. Naturally, we have to let them take over.”
In case, we got what we wanted. Anyone who wants it can go argue with the boss. I was only responsible for snapping it up, he murmured to himself
As someone on the front line, he only handled the operation side of things. It was none of his business how the bigshots squabbled with each other; that was what their mouths and faces were for!
He had also taken this into consideration when he brought Luke and his family away with him. From what Luke said, he was the only person who personally saw the mutant giant octopus on the s.h.i.+p.
By taking Luke away with him, those newcomers wouldn’t know what on earth Flegg had picked up. They wouldn’t make a move outright either. Flegg was acting under the FBI’s flag. The newcomers didn’t have enough guts to clash with the FBI, even if they couldn’t be sure of Flegg’s ident.i.ty. Even if they cursed floridly in their hearts, there was nothing they could do since they had come late. If the bigshots backing them up had the ability, they could nab some of the spoils from Flegg’s superiors; if they didn’t, they should just go home and sulk.
As the sun rose, the plane landed at a base, and Flegg called for a car for Luke and his family. He didn’t have time to see them off, and wanted even less for Robert to draw any attention; he simply nodded at them from a distance in farewell.
Luke and his family took the early morning bus, which wasn’t crowded, and unhurriedly made their way home.
When they opened the door and went in, Claire, who was pacing back and forth in the living room, turned around and saw Catherine. She jumped at her and shouted, “Mom, you’re back!” Catherine hugged the little monkey and kissed her check. “Luke brought us back.” Claire couldn’t be any happier. Although Robert had already called to tell her that they were all safe, she hadn’t been completely rea.s.sured. Only when she saw the three of them walk in did the weight roll off her shoulders. Luke looked at the scene with a smile and signaled to Selina that everything was fine.
Selina also relaxed.
Luke had left in a hurry earlier. Though he had called twice after that, seeing how Claire couldn’t sit still from her anxiety had also made Selina worried.
Now that everybody was safe and sound, she could also relax.
After everybody sat down on the couch, she remembered something and asked in a low voice, “Where’s Dollar?” Luke said with a smile, “It should be here soon. Hm, it did well this time. I’ll have to give it a huge bonus.” Selina laughed when she heard that. “It only knows how to eat; what else can you give it?” Luke chuckled but didn’t say anything. He couldn’t skimp on Gold Nugget’s reward this time, or it wouldn’t be as enthusiastic in the future.
He couldn’t be petty about this. As everybody was chatting, Gold Nugget scurried out of a hallway on the side. When Luke went to get Robert and Catherine, this fellow had snuck onto the seaplane and found a corner to hide in.
Covered by Luke, it successfully disembarked from the plane, slipped out of the base, and followed the bus as it ran home. When Luke and the others were talking, the dog had come in through the garage door which Luke had left open. Rubbing the dog’s head, Luke gave it an approving look to indicate that he wouldn’t forget its reward. Pleased, the dog then lay down next to Selina and started to snore quietly.
Gold Nugget wasn’t tired, but Dollar was a little sleepy.They talked for a while. Then, Luke went to freshen up. He had to go to work later. Robert, Catherine and Claire had been up all night. They needed to rest as well.
They went their separate ways, and the house soon fell quiet.
Listening to the distant sound of cars outside the window, Catherine sighed. Robert reached out to hug her. “What’s wrong?” Catherine said with a wry smile, “I had always hoped he could stay safe and ordinary, which is why I asked you to get him a job as an officer in Shackelford. But in the end, he still…” Robert was silent for a moment before he tightened his embrace. “It’s fine. He’s quite capable. I’ll be there to help him too if he’s really in trouble.”
Catherine hummed a response, and an image of a person appeared in her mind. She wondered if she should talk to the person.
But the idea disappeared as quickly as it arrived. Catherine very quickly dismissed the thought and slowly fell asleep.
Luke and Selina went to work.
Neither of them were sleepy despite being up all night. Both Luke and Selina no longer needed as much sleep, and were full of energy. At an intersection, Luke realized that the person also waiting at the red light diagonally opposite him was an old acquaintance. He couldn’t help but smile. “SWAT seems very free today. Harrison even has time to roam the streets.”
Selina raised her head and looked at him. “All police officers in Los Angeles right now have already been told not to send more people to the D.A.. Of course he’s free.”