Extreme germ phobia

Chapter 223 Intrigue
The trio, along with Aunt Susan, hid in the ward. The police surrounded the hospital and evacuated people in the rain. There had been no gunshots in the building for some time, and everything seemed to be moving in a positive direction.

Beneath the seemingly calm surface, undercurrents were already surging.

At the villa in the eastern suburbs, old Jason was still standing by the window waiting for news.

His feet were almost numb; the slightest movement caused a sharp, needle-like pain in the soles of his feet; his legs were numb and stiff, and his hamstrings were torn apart with excruciating pain.

But old Jason seemed oblivious, as if physical pain could alleviate the pain in his heart.

A knock on the door broke the long silence.

Old Jason responded in a low voice: "Come in!"

His voice was hoarse, like two dry pieces of wood rubbing against each other.

The door opened, and the butler entered the room silently, like a cat.

"Is everything done?" old Jason asked.

The butler bowed his head meekly and said, "I'm sorry, not yet."

Old Jason suddenly turned around, his stiff legs twisting so hard he almost fell to the ground: "Why? Are a few Asians really that difficult to deal with?"

The butler lowered his head even further: "The situation is a bit complicated."

"Then let's make a long story short."

"I found Gonzales to act as an intermediary, promising him $100,000 worth of supplies. To distance myself from him, I only mentioned who the target was and didn't make any further demands. He was too clever for his own good. He pocketed $70,000 and then offered a bounty of $10,000 for each Asian. For these $30,000 worth of supplies, all the thugs and gangsters in the city got involved."

González is a reputable underground broker, but that's his only redeeming quality; otherwise, he's a complete bastard.

Jason was even more furious: "The military's secret operations team was wiped out by the Easterners. What can a few thugs do?"

The butler hung his head and remained silent, enduring the storm in silence.

Old Jason's chest heaved violently for a long while before he finally said, "Continue!"

"Our people discovered that at least seven groups of people entered the hospital, and several other groups were lying in ambush outside the hospital... Several rounds of gunfire were heard from inside the hospital, but no one left. Although the specific situation is still unclear, it is certain that the Asians are still in the hospital... As long as they dare to show themselves, the gunmen can take them out immediately."

"And then what? Did you deal with the Easterners?"

"Not yet." The butler's forehead was beaded with sweat, and he grew increasingly uneasy as he spoke. "The police arrived at the scene in just over ten minutes. They came way too fast..."

He knew Jason's methods all too well. If he successfully dealt with the Asians, he would at most face some criticism, but if he failed to achieve his goal, his fate would be to be reduced to ashes.

Old Jason's tone was chilling: "Listen, I don't care what methods you and Gonzalez use, just get rid of the Easterners for me, or... get out!"

He didn't say anything more, but the butler's heart was in his throat. He bowed silently and left.

Old Jason's gaze was cold as he watched the butler's departing figure.

The butler's back was soaked with cold sweat, and he only breathed a sigh of relief when he was out of old Jason's sight, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.

He cautiously walked a little further away, found a secluded corner, dialed a number, and it rang only once before being answered: "Hello, Gonzalez is at your service!"

"Stop talking nonsense, it's me!"

"Wow, what business do you have for me this time?" Gonzalez was very professional; knowing the butler's identity, he never mentioned it on the phone.

"What on earth is going on? I gave you $50,000, how come you can't even handle a few Asians? My boss is furious. Do you know what the consequences will be if you don't solve this problem?"

González's expression changed: "Isn't it not over yet?"

The butler said, enunciating each word clearly, "My boss wants to see results, the sooner the better, understand?"

"Sorry, this is the speed of 50,000 dollars. It can't be faster."

The butler became even angrier: "Get your facts straight, who are you talking to?"

González remained unmoved: "What price, what speed, honest business practices, no cheating the young or old!"

"Don't give me that nonsense!" the butler gritted his teeth. "I'll give you another twenty thousand dollars, and you'll solve the problem right away. I mean right away!"

His hard-earned 50,000 dollars were gone in an instant, and 20,000 dollars were gone. His heart was bleeding.

González immediately perked up: "Oh, no problem, the supplies are here, I'll arrange it right away!"

"We'll arrange it now, and you'll get your share of the things."

"Small-scale business, no credit!"

The housekeeper was furious: "I said arrange it immediately, right now, right now!"

“Wow, that’s not the attitude for doing business!” Gonzalez refused to budge an inch. “You know the situation better than I do. I’m just a worthless nobody with a worthless life, not as pampered and precious as you. We’re risking our lives for that little bit of profit, don’t you think?”

The butler, breathing rapidly and in great pain, said, "You make the arrangements now, and I'll make the same arrangements. Once we receive the goods, we'll immediately eliminate the Easterner!"

“OK, no problem!” Gonzalez readily agreed.

The butler angrily hung up the phone, calmed himself down, and immediately contacted his trusted confidant to send Gonzalez a shipment of supplies worth $20,000.

The so-called 20,000 dollars does not refer to the current value of the US dollar, but rather to the pre-pandemic value of the US dollar, which has become an unspoken rule among major powers.

The specific items had already been agreed upon: the smaller portion consisted of convenience foods and various canned goods, while the larger portion was tobacco leaves for smoking.

These are all rare and sought-after items that are hard to find in the market.

Noel, that old scoundrel, wanted the butler to arrange a few young, hot, and beautiful girls for him, but the butler refused without hesitation.

With plenty of food and supplies, why worry about not having pretty girls coming to your door?

That damned González is a disgusting butler!

Basement of an apartment building in the city of Carmel.

González hung up the phone, his smile vanishing instantly, and kicked over the table in front of him.

What are those idiots doing? They can't even handle it with three Asians?

Thirty thousand dollars worth of supplies is already more than enough, but since that traitorous steward is in such a hurry, it is indeed necessary to strengthen the forces of all the rats in the city.

González knew very well who was behind the butler. He could disregard the butler's thoughts, but he couldn't ignore old Jason's attitude.

He hesitated for a moment, then immediately made a phone call: "Hey, buddy, how are you? No, no, no, I know things aren't resolved yet, I've changed my mind..."

"No, I don't intend to cancel the bounty, and I'm going to change the rules... Whoever kills the Easterner first gets 15,000 slashes; the second gets 10,000 slashes; and the third gets only 5,000 slashes!"

"Also, from now on, if you finish off the Asians within ten minutes, I'll add another ten thousand dollars; twenty minutes, five thousand dollars; half an hour, only two thousand; if it takes more than half an hour, the bonus will be canceled... You know, it's been so boring lately, and we finally ran into a few Asians, so we have to do something exciting..." "Alright, enough talk, let's do it!"

Hanging up the phone, Gonzalez gritted his teeth and dialed another number: "Hey, Sheriff Kratter, it's me, your old friend Gonzalez!"

Outside the hospital, Clatt, bathed in a light rain, said expressionlessly, "Oh, goodbye!"

He was the number two officer in the Kamed police force, while González was just a rat in the sewers. They were not on the same level at all, and there was no need to pay any attention to this stinking guy.

Clatter always believed that even a mouse has its uses, but González clearly didn't understand his place.

How could a police officer possibly become friends with a rat? Not even verbally.

Gonzalez glanced at the disconnected phone, his expression changing several times, but he gritted his teeth and dialed again. As soon as the call connected, he quickly said, "No, no, don't hang up, Sheriff Kratt, I'll give you ten thousand dollars to help my brother out!"
"Wow!" Krat exclaimed dramatically. "What a grand gesture! Goodbye!"

That's what he said, but he showed no intention of hanging up.

"No, no, please!" Gonzalez pleaded repeatedly. "I'm very sincere, really very sincere."

Clatter slowly walked to the side. Gonzalez, not hearing a sound, couldn't help but urge, "Officer? Officer, are you still there?"

Kelawu avoided the others and whispered, "Ten thousand isn't enough."

González was seething with rage, his teeth itching with hatred, but he dared not utter a word of it: "This is really all I have!"

"Are you kidding me? Do you think I don't know who Gonzalez is?" Clatter sneered. "One price, fifty thousand!"

"What?" Gonzalez nearly went crazy. "I can only come up with ten thousand dollars..."

Krat interrupted immediately: "That's your problem!"

"Fifteen thousand, that's really the most I can go..."

"goodbye!"

"No, no, 20,000, isn't 20,000 enough?"

Kratt stood firm: "I said, fifty thousand, not a penny less!"

"Thirty thousand..."

"Oh, negotiations have broken down. Goodbye..."

The phone hung up again.

"You son of a bitch!" Gonzalez cursed, repeatedly using the most vulgar language to insult Clatter's female relatives, but he didn't dare waste any time and dialed the number for the third time: "One price, fifty thousand!"

At that moment, his voice trembled.

He only received $70,000 in total. He had promised to give out $40,000, and he still had to give Clatter $50,000, which was a full $20,000 overspending. Even if he used all his savings, he still couldn't fill this hole.

"Why didn't you do this earlier? Tell me, what do you need me to do?"

González instinctively lowered his voice: "I need you to do me a favor..."

"No problem!" Krat readily agreed, hung up the phone, and quickly returned to his post. "Has everyone been evacuated?"

"That's about it," said the accompanying police officer.

"Alright!" Klatter glanced at the time. "Leave a few people to keep watch, the rest of you can go back."

The news spread and immediately sparked a suppressed cheer.

It's late at night and it's raining, who would want to stay here?

Soon, the officers who received the order quickly withdrew, fearing that Kratt might change his mind.

Some experienced veteran officers had already guessed what was about to happen, but no one stood up to expose or stop it; they all chose to remain silent.

Just kidding. This isn't like before the pandemic. The police have long been used by certain people to control Kamal and to seek illicit gains.

Soon after, all the officers who were supposed to leave had left, and the remaining officers huddled together, oblivious to their surroundings.

In the darkness, some figures quietly appeared. The bold ones ignored the police officers and swaggered into the hospital; the timid ones hesitated for a long time before sneaking in from a corner where no one was paying attention.

Lactt lit a cigarette, took a satisfying drag, and calculated how much of the $50,000 would need to be distributed, and how much would end up in his own pocket.

On the other end, Gonzalez hung up the phone, increasingly furious. After much hesitation, he made a snap decision and dialed another number: "This is Gonzalez... No, I won't change it. I want to add a target... I'll offer $20,000 to take care of the Orientals and then kill Krat... No, no, only $20,000... Don't try to bargain with me. Krat is right outside the hospital. He'll be easy to deal with. Someone will definitely be willing to do it... That's it!"

After hanging up the phone, González slumped back on the sofa, feeling unusually pleased.

But he sat up quickly.

If you don't want others to know, then don't do it in the first place. From ancient times to the present, there is no such thing as a secret that stays hidden forever.

Those few Asians were just passing through; killing them was no big deal. But Krat was a local bigwig and the number two in the police force. Killing him was easy, but cleaning up the mess would be difficult.

If the police find out that you were the one who did it, the consequences will be unimaginable!
No, this place is not safe, we must leave immediately!

González immediately grabbed a bag, packed his valuables and weapons, hurriedly left the basement, got into an inconspicuous car, and drove away from his hideout under the cover of night.

As for what will happen to the Easterners, and whether Krat will die or not, it's no longer his concern. His only thought now is to flee far away immediately!

However, Gonzalez did not regret it. Although Kamed was safe and secure, it was not a paradise. He did not want to continue to carefully navigate between various forces. Leaving was the best option.

As for the promised supplies... haha, he's not even in Kamed anymore, whoever wants them can go!
Outside the hospital, Krat finished a cigarette, took a deep breath of the humid air, opened the car door, got in, and turned the heater to the maximum.

Seeing this, the other officers also got into the car.

Suddenly, intense gunfire erupted in the hospital, and a satisfied smile spread across Kratt's face.

With so many people just going in, it shouldn't be long before they can take care of those few Asians...

Snapped!
With a soft bang, a hole the size of a finger shattered in the car window, and a fist-sized hole shattered in Krat's head. His body slowly slumped to one side.

Even in death, he still wore a smile on his face.

The police officers in the same car were shocked and immediately called for backup.

Judging from the direction and angle, the shot appeared to have come from the hospital. The officers couldn't tell whether it was a stray bullet that caused the death or if it was intentional.

The police officers, who had just left, received the distress call and rushed back as if their pants were on fire, with annoying sirens blaring throughout the city.

Kratt was not only the number two in the police force, but also a trusted confidant promoted by the chief.

For the officers involved in the operation, Kratter's shooting death at this time was like the sky falling down!
(End of this chapter)