As a rookie who had just joined the police force and had almost no field experience, she couldn't even manage to stay calm when faced with such a severe case. Her body trembled uncontrollably, and instead of letting go of Merritt's hand, she held on even tighter.
Merritt's composed analysis made her subconsciously see him as a source of support.
The train car was in chaos.
Screams. Crying. Pleading.
Most passengers were so terrified that they were crying uncontrollably, their legs too weak to stand, and some even wet themselves out of fear.
However, a few passengers tried to run towards the doors immediately. But when they heard the robbers' shouts, most of them dropped to the floor with their hands over their heads.
Can you outrun a bullet?
Why "most"?
Because the back door was not open,one middle-aged male passenger, despite hearing the robbers' shouts, continued to run frantically towards the front door.
Thud!
Just as he reached the front door, the robber standing there with a knife stabbed him in the chest. The man collapsed, blood pouring from his mouth.
It was clear that the robbers preferred not to use guns unless absolutely necessary, as that would draw more attention to them.
"Boss... please don't kill me, please..."
As Merritt had just boarded the train, the previously arrogant blond guy who had tried to "expose the scam" was now crying and pointing at Merritt, shouting, "He has money... a big bag of euros... Boss, go rob him... I promise I won't say I know you..."
Damn it! Merritt wanted to slap this bastard to death!
Felicity was also seething with anger.
This jerk saw Merritt looking sick and weak, and he jumped out allself-righteous, trying to expose a scam to show off. But when faced with real armed robbers, he was all about saving his own skin... She really wanted to shoot this scumbag, if only she had a gun.
A big bag of euros?
The robbers' eyes gleamed with greed at the mention.
They had already stolen a lot of gold and jewelry, but fencing those was both troublesome and risky. If they could get a large sum of cash...
Euros!
That was the key!
Because euros were foreign currency, it would be hard for the police to trace them through serial numbers. And since it was an easy grab, why not?
"Drive!" The robber at the front door commanded the bus driver with his gun.
The driver, trembling, started the bus, yellow liquid streaming down his pants, filling the bus with a pungent smell—he wasn't the only one who hadwet himself.
"Danny, move!" The robber with the rifle at the back ordered.
"You!"
The robber at the rear door, holding a knife, took three quick steps toward Merritt, brandishing the knife at his neck. "Where's the money?"
There were five robbers, armed with knives and guns. And Merritt?
He was a nondescript, pale guy who looked like he was on the brink of death, with no ability to resist. Therobbers weren't worried at all.
"Here." Merritt stood up, moving away from his seat by the window.
"Don't!" Felicity grabbed his arm, whispering urgently, "If you give them the money, they won't let you go—they won't spare you! We can't give in to criminals!"
Merritt found the blonde thug despicable, but Felicity's naivety was equally frustrating. These guys had knives and guns. Did she really think refusing would make things better? Did she think holding onto the money
would give them leverage? The robbers could easily shoot them and take the money anyway.
The crucial point was!
By stepping in to stop him, Felicity was putting herself in even greater danger!
From the moment the robbers boarded, Merritt noticed they were particularly focused on Felicity. After all, compared to regular passengers, a cop posed a much bigger threat to them.
"Are you looking to die?" The knife-wielding robber glared at Felicity, while the two gunmen at the front and back doors instantly aimed their weapons at her.
"Harley, should we take out this cop first?" they asked their leader.
"No!" Harley, holding a loaded rifle, had a glint of wisdom in his eyes. "If we fire, our location will be exposed. The cops will lock down this area quickly. We need a hostage—a cop as a hostage is worth more than ten regular people. Everyone else can be killed, but not her!"
During this exchange, Merritt's mind was racing.