Chapter 171
An hour later, Maxine led the police into Lucy Bar.
Within sixty seconds, officers had the bar locked down and all patrons detained, lining them up under police watch.
Hearing the commotion, the bar manager hurried up from his office downstairs, offered the captain a cigarette, and said, “Captain Benson, long time no see! What brings you here tonight?”
Lance Benson ignored the offered cigarette and saluted curtly. “We have reason to believe someone may have been kidnapped here. This is a routine
check.”
Seeing the captain’s reaction, the manager didn’t insist further and tucked the cigarette back into his pocket. With genuine surprise, he said, “What?! really had no idea about that. But as you can see, we still have customers here. If you have a warrant, I can show you around.”
Maxine watched the manager closely from the side. His shocked expression appeared genuine, clearly unaware of the situation.
After reviewing the search warrant, the manager led them into the main hall. Just as Maxine remembered from her last visit, the decor was open and transparent, and the entire hall was fully visible from the entrance.
The manager led them through both floors before turning to the officers behind him and saying, “This place was newly renovated and just opened for business. The owner specifically instructed us to maintain strict security measures. If you still have concerns, feel free to check our surveillance system.”
Surveillance cameras covered the bar’s main hall and entrance, leaving virtually no blind spots, except for the corridor lined with mirrors. There, the camera faced the restroom entrance, but it couldn’t capture anything happening near the mirrored door.
As the group passed the mirrored wall, Maxine suddenly interjected, “Wait! Last time I was here, I found a hidden door right here.”
The captain’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly as he thought, ‘A hidden door in a place like this…‘
Hearing her words, the manager’s face fell. He blurted out, “What secret passage? I oversaw the renovation myself…”
Before he could even finish his sentence, Maxine stepped forward and pressed the button on the wall.
The large mirror slowly slid open before everyone’s eyes. The officers behind them couldn’t hide their astonishment. No one would have thought this unassuming bar concealed such a secret passage.
Places with hidden rooms like this usually had some shady dealings going on.
As they realized what was happening, several officers instinctively moved their hands to the pepper spray and batons at their waists, their posture tense
and alert.
The captain turned his head and muttered to the officer beside him, “Call for backup.”
The secret passage ahead seemed to stretch endlessly into the darkness, With only a small team at his side, this time, he did not dare to rush in
recklessly.
With the situation at a tipping point, he turned to the manager, trying to buy some time. “What’s going on in there?” he asked.
The manager forced a smile and said, “Well,.. honestly, I’m not really sure. That was probably already here when the owner bought the place. If you’d like to check it out, I can take you inside.”
He paused deliberately, then added cautiously, “However, if you’re going inside, I’ll need to inform the owner first.”
Just then, Maxine, who had been silently observing, spoke up firmly. “We have a search warrant, so you must cooper. police just because your boss objects?”
Whispering to the captain beside her, Maxine said, “Mr. Soto’s security team has arrived.”
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