Chapter 86: Surrender (Part 1)

[Chapter 86: Surrender (Part 1)]

San Francisco.

As a tourist city, the most famous landmark was the Golden Gate Bridge.

It had been destroyed countless times in films, collapsing under various disasters, misfortunes, and even alien attacks. The only other monument comparable in terms of disaster scale might have been the Statue of Liberty.

Ian, just off the plane, looked out the car window as they drove across the Golden Gate Bridge. He murmured, "Gaskill once said that a good boss spends a third of his work time borrowing money. I think he's got it wrong. Truthfully, a third of life is spent on the road, as if making the whole world your home. I don't have much in my business yet, but I'm already running around everywhere."

His secretary, Shani, smiled and replied, "But many people envy a life like yours."

As she sat next to him, Shani gently adjusted the hem of her skirt.

Ian, however, didn't glance her way.

Gaskill had taught him many lessons, one of which was: Don't mix business with pleasure.

Especially when it came to secretaries!

Even after they resigned, it was best to keep things professional unless he planned on marrying them.

As a secretary, she would know too much about him, and if emotions got involved, there could be many complications.

God forbid someone with romantic feelings decided to act out if they felt rejected, it could ruin him.

This was particularly true for someone like Ian, who had a lot to hide.

So Ian simply said, "When we get to the hotel, you go in first. I'll step out for a moment and take care of some things."

"Do you not want me to come with you?" Shani asked, her eyes wide. "I'm your assistant!"

Her words held a deeper meaning.

Ian shook his head gently. "No, it's fine."

Disappointed, Shani exited the car when they arrived at the hotel, and Ian stood by the entrance, waiting.

...

Moments later, a vehicle approached, and to Ian's surprise, it was Brydon, the guy who drove the three thieves away.

Ian disliked Balster's chatter and had brought Brydon in for his silence, who wore a face that seemed to communicate he had no idea he aided the crooks.

The backseat held Philip Leyso, holding a camera.

Ian got in and said, "Let's head to 16th Dowell Street."

Brydon remained silent, saying nothing as they drove away.

...

Ten minutes later, they reached a secluded street and stopped in front of a house.

Ian waited in the car and called out, "Phil!"

Leyso exited, handed the camera to Ian, adjusted his earpiece, and concealed it as he headed towards the house at 16. Ian aimed the camera in that direction.

He knocked on the door, and a young man opened it, taking a moment to process.

Leyso smiled and said, "Hi, Gannon! Let me introduce myself; I'm Philip Leyso, a journalist who goes by Butterfly. We've met before, although you didn't see my face back then."

The young man's expression shifted uncomfortably. "I don't know what you're talking about."

He started to close the door, but Leyso quickly stopped him: "No need to be so tense. You know I'm not a cop."

Gannon retreated a few steps, then suddenly yelled, "Damn it, they found us!"

Leyso stepped inside, seeing the two other young men rushing over with guns, one of them snatching a gun off the table.

Upon recognizing Leyso, one of the young men exclaimed, "You're that photographer? Butterfly?"

Gannon shouted, "Shut up! Are you admitting to it?"

The other young man with freckles said, "Weren't you just confessing?"

Gannon hesitated, then stomped his foot. "Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! We're exposed; what do we do? Kill him!"

The three guns aimed nervously at Leyso.

Leyso smiled and said, "You'd better be careful; make sure my blood doesn't splatter on you."

Gannon blinked, confused. "Why?"

The freckled young man replied, "Because he has AIDS!"

All three covered their mouths, and the other young man, Lyle -- the guy mentioned in the bank -- yelled, "I'm going to get a mask!"

Leyso sighed, "Alright, guys, didn't you see the news? The latest from WND?"

The three were confused. "What news?"

Leyso grew annoyed. "You need to keep up with current events! Especially if you're robbing banks! What kind of men are you if you don't pay attention to the news?"

...

Twenty minutes later, the door opened.

Leyso stepped out and waved to Ian.

Ian smiled slightly and turned to Brydon, asking, "Do you want to come in?"

Brydon looked puzzled. "Don't you need me out here?"

Ian shook his head. "No, and I don't think it'll come to that."

Having Leyso engage was just a precaution against these rookies making a rash decision to open fire. After all, Ian had to be wary of sudden outbursts.

If they worked through their issues, the chances of them firing their guns significantly decreased.

At that moment, both Ian and Brydon stepped out of the car and entered the house.

...

The three young men stared at Ian and Brydon, collectively speechless.

Gannon exclaimed, "You? Why are you working for him? Did you sell us out?"

Brydon snorted, "I didn't know where you were. I serve whoever pays me."

The freckled young man turned to Ian and asked, "What do you want?"

Ian glanced at the cluttered room, and seeing Leyso clearing the sofa, he settled down.

He said, "Sit down, guys, don't be so tense."

Lyle eyed the camera, which was back in Leyso's hands, and shrugged. "I get nervous in front of the camera."

Ian chuckled. "The camera's not even on, and besides, you weren't like this last time."

"I was more excited that day," Lyle mumbled.

Everyone took their seats.

Ian asked, "Did you watch the news?"

They all nodded.

Ian continued, "I'm going to be blunt: I came here hoping you would consider surrendering."

The freckled young man scoffed. "That's impossible!"

Gannon raised his gun at Ian. "It'd be better to kill you since you haven't alerted the police yet, right?"

Lyle piped up, "No, we should kidnap him. He said last time that kidnapping him could get us more money."

The three of them perked up at the suggestion.

Ian raised a hand, signaling them to calm down. "Alright, hear me out."

He looked at all three of them seriously. "WND News Network has put out a reward of $200,000. If you surrender, that money is yours! Oh, and that doesn't include the $30,000 I previously promised."

"It's $40,000!" the freckled young man retorted.

Brydon, who stood at the door, added, "That ten grand is mine, but I don't need to surrender."

"Fuck!" all three shouted in unison.

Ian grinned. "You see, here's the thing: While you guys robbed the bank and exchanged fire, luckily no one died; there were just a few injured cops. In this situation, if you surrender, I'll get you the best lawyers to shorten your sentences. You might even get an early pardon with good behavior!"

Ian held up three fingers. "First, with me helping, you won't be locked up for too long. Second, you could get legally earned $230,000! Third, I'll arrange for a book deal and even get it turned into a movie. The revenues would significantly exceed that amount; I estimate at least a million each!"

"What the fuck!" The three young men stared at Ian, stunned.

*****

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