Chapter 18
Chapter 18: Taken
“This is a custom–
made hat, made of bulletproof material. So it will be a little heavy and uncomfortable,” the police officer said, all while helping Car
los and Alexander with their clothes. Carlos had come to know this man as officer Laurent.
While detective Bernard led the operation, watching everything from the van across
the complex, officer Laurent was in charge of keeping Carlos and Alexander safe.
“I don‘t care if I have to carry the entire world over my head,” Alexander remarked. “Give me that hat.”
“Officer Laurent, we are ready,” another man in uniform named Samuel, announced.
“We are almost done here,” Mister Laurent said back.
Taking a deep breath, Carlos looked at himself in the mirror. Lines on his face offset his
usual attractive look Worry had kicked in, and he could not help but pray to the heavens,
wishing everything would go according to the authorities‘ plans.
Aside from the vest, his overalls were also made of bulletproof materials. Everything that he had on him added to his weight and
made him look bulky. He covered his ear with one hand, hoping to get a clear response from detective Bernard. Carlos asked, “
What‘s the status within the complex?”
“Mister Ronaldo, be at ease. We have eyes in
the sky and eyes on the ground. Hugo‘s men appear ready to strike the moment you step outside the complex. Even the hotel w
e are staying at is already compromised, but that was already expected. You will leave the complex
exactly how we planned it. Ready?” The detective said.
“I understand,” Carlos said. He turned to Alexander and said, “Let‘s go. Let‘s get ready.
*
*
*
Outside the locker rooms of Roland Garros complex, the other tennis players were alarmed at how they were not allowed to ente
r. A commotion erupted, but it soon died down when the security team of Carlos Ronaldo and Alexander Jenkins cleared the exit
for the two–star athletes.
What surprised the other tennis players was that Carlos and Alexander seemed to have
more bodyguards than usual, and they were all suited up with bulletproof vests beneath their coats.
“Hey, Carlos, my man!” One other tennis player greeted, but much to his dismay, one of the bodyguards warded him off.
“Sorry, Mister Ronaldo will not be entertaining anyone for now,” said a tall man, leading the security team. It was Samuel, the poli
ce officer undercover.
“Carlos! Carlos!” The tennis player insisted, but soon he stopped when Carlos waved at
him. He could not see his face, but Carlos‘ features were enough to give recognition, a sense of familiarity.
The other players also received a not-so-friendly form of acknowledgment from both
Chapter 18 Taken
Alexander and Carlos, all while leaving the locker rooms and walking through
the complex, The two athletes merely waved their hands or gave nods. When Carlos and Alexander reached the complex‘s exit, t
heir rides were already waiting for them. Unlike in the past, when only one vehicle was there to fetch them, two black SUVs follo
wed each other, driving through the streets of Paris. Carlos and Alexander were in the first vehicle.
It did not take long for a blue van with a black tint to tail on them. Two other motorcycles seemed to drive side by side in each SU
V.
The van started to speed up, taking over the second SUV. It appeared to the police officers that the van was trying to split up the S
into a freeway, but in doing so, the van separated them from the other bodyguards.
Using a radio, officer Samuel reported from inside the first SUV, all while looking back, “I hear shots fired. Send back up now.” He
Officer Samuel‘s eyes followed the motorcycle and saw how the same rider was taking out a gun. However, that did not concern
him. The SUV was bulletproof. It would take several shots before the vehicle would be penetrated.
Bang! Bang!
The motorcycle driver fired shots. They could not hear him from the inside, but they read his lips as he mouthed, “Pull over! Pull o
The chase was on!
The first SUV was going at it at high speed. Reaching a crossing, a white Lexus pursued them. The passengers on the said vehic
and demanding that the SUV pull over.
One motorcycle persistently trailed behind. The Lexus drove next to the
black SUV, working to force them into the side. The gang did not care for their vehicle‘s condition, merely slamming the car‘s bodi
the running SUV.
They were almost near the freeway‘s exit when the SUV was pushed to the side of the road, breaking the street barriers in the pro