CHAPTER NINETEEN: Deception and the Pursuit of Vengeance

"According to the autopsy, your dad committed suicide." Detective Anderson said as he passed the autopsy result to Jerry and Joe.

"According to the autopsy, your dad committed suicide." Detective Anderson said as he passed the autopsy result to Jerry and Joe.

The evidence was passed to Jerry for verification.

"Are you trying to cover up for Daniel? How can he just kill himself? Yesterday he was fine, we chatted throughout. What do you mean he killed himself?" Jerry said trying to look anguish and worried.

Jerry and Joe returned to the cold, dimly lit prison cell, their hearts heavy with grief. Jerry couldn't stop the tears from streaming down his face as he sank onto his bed, the weight of his father's death becoming unbearable. Even though he's dissimulating.

"But I still don't understand; you're crying for a dad who doesn't even care for us." Joe curiously asked.

"Do you think I care about that man?" Jerry chuckled.

"Then..."

"Yeah! I will use it as bait to escape; they will give us a chance to attend the burial. So that's how I will escape." Jerry scoffed.

"Isn't it dangerous? How can we escape those securities? Joe asks curiously.

"I have talked to Joseph, and he has given me some of his gang's contact information. Once we arrive at the burial site, I will signal them, and they will help me out. Jerry said as he chuckled.

"Then I will be going with you, bro," Joe said, feeling convinced by Jerry's plan.

Meanwhile, they're holding a grand funeral ceremony for Mr. Johnson, and in his place of rest, a Tablet was made for him with his name encoded on it besides it is a large frame and Mr. Johnson's image is stuck to it. Daniel, being the sole heir, stood beside his dad's Tablet, receiving visitors.

Harry and Katherine also help in preparing food for guests. Just then, Mrs. Gwen came to pay her last respects to her husband.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Daniel shouted at Mrs. Gwen.

"Is it a sin for me to attend my husband's funeral?" Mrs. Gwen said as she picked up a flower and put it beside Mr. Johnson's funeral portrait.

"The Mr. James burial ceremony is ongoing; I believe that's where you belong since you're his wife, so get the hell out of here!" Daniel shouted at Mrs. Gwen.

"Do you think it's over? Just because you earned all the wealth doesn't mean it's over; this is the beginning." You will lose everything you've worked hard for. I assure you that." Mrs. Gwen said

"I will make sure you live in hell, you, your gangs, and your children."

"Ok, we shall see to that, loser!" Mr. Gwen said as she went away with the cops.

The cops received an urgent call on their walkie-talkies that Jerry and Joe had escaped.

"How is that possible? Detective Anderson asked with surprise.

"Sir! A group of gangs with sophisticated weapons attacked the cops, leaving five dead and others injured. I think it's a planned tactic."The cop replied that they took Mrs. Gwen and all rushed back.

Daniel rushed out to meet Katherine and Harry to inquire more about the news he just heard.

"What did I just hear?" Daniel asked in shock.

"Boss! I just heard that with the help of armed gangs, Jerry and Joe escaped from the cops during the Mr. James burial ceremony." Harry explained.

"What! How is that possible?" Daniel exclaimed.

"Boss! You need to be careful now; they might want to get back home." Harry said, showing concern.

"He won't be foolish enough to take such a risky move; I think he will try to fly out," Daniel said.

"Still, you still have to be careful, boss," Katherine said she was feeling worried.

"Thanks for everything; I have to go," Daniel said as he paid his last respects to his dad.

"Boss, are we now leaving together? I have prepared your room," Harry said.

"No, I'm not sleeping in the apartment tonight; I want to stay alone in my dad's mansion," Daniel said as he left alone in his car.

"Is it okay to leave him like that? Katherine asked, looking worried.

"I am not at ease as well, but I know of a secret passage we normally use when we are in high school. Harry said.

"A secret passage?" Daniella is looking at Harry suspiciously.

"No, we don't use it for illegal stuff! Just a means of entrance to Daniel's secret room to avoid contact with Mrs. Gwen." Harry explained.

"Oh! I see....! So what's the plan?" Katherine ask.

"We will follow him, but we will pass through the passage; we should be able to stay with him there," Harry suggested.

"But can't we just park in front of the mansion? Then we'll just stay in the car and look out for him." "Because I think he wants to stay alone. Katherine suggested.

"You're right, let's do that." But is it okay for you to stay here right now? Who will look after your mom?" Harry asked, showing concern.

"My siblings are now around, and besides, my mom is getting better compared to before," Katherine responded.

"Ok, let's move," Harry said he opened the car door for Katherine, and they set off.

Meanwhile, the police have been deployed all over New York City searching for Jerry and Joe, including helicopter patrol. The gangs have their secret hideout inside a tunnel.

Everything is ready; you can pass through this tunnel it's leading to an ocean; a ship is waiting for you both." One of the gang members said this, leading them to the passage.

"Thanks!" Jerry said as they both set off.

The police force surrounds everywhere around New York City including sea Ports, Subways, Airports, and many regional stations that were alerted of criminals.

The secret ports used by Jerry and Joe were not often known by cops and most of the time the seaport is always underestimated.

The masked anonymous man who murdered Mr. James passed an envelope to one of Joseph's gang after finally completing his mission.

The masked man, known only as 'Shadow,' he had been given a mission by an unknown figure, who promised to promote him in exchange for completing a series of tasks."

"Tell the boss the mission is a success and they will soon join him in the hideout." The masked man said.

"Ok, but are you sure you will be upgraded once you're done with all your missions?"Jack asks curiously.

"I hope he keeps his word this time around or I will be forced to betray him for good."

"But still, isn't it too bad for you to keep upgrading?"Jack asked. "Because if you even successfully attain the highest level, you will have to face him, and am sure you can't defeat him. So what's the plan?"Jack asked Curious about the masked man's plan.

"Once I attain level 8 I will join forces with the son of the man he killed, that's how I will destroy him." The masked man chuckles.

The levels were a part of a secretive organization's hierarchy, each level representing a new set of skills, power, and influence. The masked man had been working his way up the ranks, biding his time until he reached level 8, where he believed he would find the strength and allies to take down the one who had wronged

him."

WHO IS THIS MASKED MAN?

WHO GAVE HIM THE ORDER TO MURDER JERRY'S DAD?

STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER.