Zhao Mei's father called out a few times, but there was no response. I said, "Let's do as he says for now!"
"But I don't have an armored vehicle, Officer He!"
"Don't worry, I'll ask the SWAT team!"
By the time the armored vehicle arrived, there wasn't much time left, but we could still make it. He Xin, Liu Yuning, and I immediately helped load the stacks of money into the armored vehicle.
However, one vehicle wasn't enough to carry all the money, so another one arrived later. A total of two armored vehicles were needed to transport the cash. Just as we were about to depart, the kidnapper called again. This time, Zhao Mei's father answered.
"Hello, hello! Boss, what else do you want? Please release our Zhao Mei!"
"The situation is this, I've changed my mind. I need 10 million in ransom now. Because, after thinking about it, 5 million isn't much in a big city. If I don't have this money, what am I kidnapping for! So, you need to get me another 5 million!"
"What?" Zhao Mei's father stood frozen as if struck by lightning. I gritted my teeth and snatched the phone, "Listen to me, 5 million is the absolute most we can manage. We can't possibly get that much money in such a short time! Don't you know Zhao Mei's family's financial situation?"
"I know, I know. Ask Zhao Guangyuan. Doesn't he still have a few properties? Each one in Fuming City should be worth over 3 million, right? Selling all of them should be enough!"
"But it takes time to sell them, and there's less than half an hour before the ransom is due!"
"That's your problem. Why didn't you sell them earlier? Alright, if I don't see 10 million by nine o'clock, then I'm sorry, Zhao Mei will be gone!"
"Don't do anything rash. I'll find a way!" Zhao Mei's father shouted next to me.
"Okay, take your time. You still have half an hour! Hahaha! Remember, I want paper money! Don't give me any ghost money or transfers, or I'll make Zhao Mei die under the ghost money!"
The kidnapper hung up again. Zhao Guangyuan immediately grabbed me, "What do we do? Where do we find 5 million? There's only half an hour left!"
At this moment, Zhao Mei's mother started crying, "I have no other choice. I'll borrow from my family. They should have it!"
Zhao Mei's mother immediately made a phone call. After explaining the situation, her sister transferred 5 million. She was crying, but fortunately, there was a bank nearby. With police involvement, we obtained the 5 million in cash. After getting the money into a dedicated vehicle, I checked the time. There were 15 minutes left, which should be enough to drive to Tianhai Hotel.
Finally, we started driving. Four armored vehicles headed towards the hotel, carrying 10 million in cash. As we approached the area below the hotel, the police temporarily sealed it off. Over 500 officers were deployed, half of them being armed police. After we surrounded the area, the kidnapper actually called my phone: "Detective He, I see you. Good. Now, move all the black suitcases into the elevator on the first floor. Once they're all in, press the button for the 18th floor. I'll be waiting there! By the way, don't bring anyone up. Do you think I don't know the hotel is locked down by the police? Make them retreat 5 kilometers, or I'll kill her immediately!"
"Don't be rash. Although I don't know your identity, I can tell you have great knowledge in physics. Don't you want to use such talent to benefit society? Doing this is a complete waste of your abilities!"
"Stop with the useless talk. Detective He, I'll give you 10 minutes. If I don't see the money in 10 minutes, I'll kill Zhao Mei immediately! Come up alone. If I see anyone else in the elevator, I'll kill her immediately!"
"Okay, don't worry, I'll do as you say immediately!"
As I hung up the phone, Zhao Mei's parents tightly clasped my hands, "Officer He, it's all up to you this time!"
"Don't worry, everyone retreat 5 kilometers!"
"How can that be? What if you're attacked after you go up?" Liu Yuning said anxiously.
"I'll be fine!"
"How about wearing a bulletproof vest?" Gao Mingqiang suggested.
I shook my head, "It's no use. This guy is skilled at using bombs. If he has planted countless bombs upstairs, going up would be a death trap for me!"
"Then you still dare to go?" Liu Yuning's eyes were filled with tears. She tightly gripped my hand, unwilling to let go.
"Didn't you just hear him? He wants me to go up alone. Alright, stop dawdling. We have less than 10 minutes now. Listen to me, Yuning, I'll be fine! You have a more important mission! Go! I'll handle things here!" I patted Liu Yuning, signaling her to prioritize the mission.
Liu Yuning let go of my hand, and with tears in her eyes, helped me move the black suitcases full of money. I stroked her head, gazed at her deeply, and then, with astonishing speed, moved the money to the elevator.
I made several trips, taking about 3 minutes in total to pile all the money into the elevator.
As I pressed the button for the 18th floor, I noticed that the police team had indeed retreated. Liu Yuning stood frozen, staring at the elevator door slowly closing. She refused to leave, and it was only when Xiao Yuande and Gao Mingqiang forcibly pulled her away that she finally moved.
Several armored vehicles drove out onto another road, heading rapidly in a certain direction!
The moment the elevator doors completely closed, I felt immense pain in my heart, fearing that this time I wouldn't escape and would be buried in this vast hotel.
The elevator slowly began to ascend. 2nd floor, 3rd floor, 4th floor, 5th floor...
With every floor that passed, my heart felt as if it were being crushed by dozens of massive stones, causing unbearable pain and a sense of oppression. As the elevator approached the 18th floor, the villain's voice echoed through the building: "Ahaha, I am the arbiter from hell! I will make you all witness this historic moment. My dear viewers, the ultimate death livestream is about to begin!"
"Do you see? Fuming City's renowned Detective He Sheng is heading towards the abyss of despair. I will let the whole world witness this live broadcast!"
Madness! How is this possible?
Upon reaching the 18th floor, the elevator doors opened. I moved all the black suitcases out, and then stepped out. To my surprise, there was no one on the top floor, but the surrounding windows were open.
"Good, I see you, Detective He. Now, as I instructed, open the boxes!"
I didn't say a word and opened the boxes. I was quite curious about what this guy was up to. And where was the hostage?
While I was thinking, the kidnapper's voice sounded again, "Alright, Detective He, open the boxes. Time is almost up. I now command you to throw all the money from the boxes down below. Not a single bill is to be spared!"
What?!
Hearing the other party's voice, my eyes widened in disbelief.