The Billionaire's Mistake

MISTAKE 165

Chapter 165: The police set a trap

Anya didn't put up even a token protest, merely inclining her head in acquiescence. Truth be told, the thought of reclining on one of the plush sofas in their mahogany-paneled sitting room held immense appeal right about now. Perhaps she could sneak in yet another restorative nap with Daniel's soothing presence beside her... She was just rising from her chair, intent on following her husband back inside, when her phone buzzed with an incoming text notification from Emma's number. A frown etched her brow as she quickly scanned the message:

"Did you hear from the police? Martin woke up. Just got a call from the cops about him claiming Gina trying to off him. Would it be wrong if I laugh?"

Sucking in a sharp breath, Anya felt her lingering weariness dissipate as her mind was forced to confront the familial drama she'd tried to put from her mind. Of course Emma would be irate that she hadn't been immediately looped in on the update regarding their stepmother's apparent attempt on Martin's life.

"Everything okay?" Daniel's concerned voice broke through her distracted reverie.

"It's...nothing, really," Anya hedged, forcing a tight smile. "Just my sister overreacting to some nonsense with our stepmother, as usual. I'll fill her in later once I have all the details straight."

-

It wasn't a total lie any situation involving Martin and Gina was usually rife with overblown hyst Daniels from someone. With a shake of her head, Anya tucked her phone away and reached to slip her arm through the crook of Daniel's elbow. "Come, my love," she said, purposefully affecting a tone of nonchalance. "You're right - a bit

f rest and relaxation is just what I need to recharge this afternoon."

If Daniel suspected her abrupt subject change was avoidance, he gave no outward indication. Squeezing her hand in silent support, he turned and guided her back inside their sanctuary,

that still insisted on haunting her

away

Detectives Carr and Ruiz pored over the case files one final time, ensuring every contingency had been meticulously planned for the operation ahead. "All right, people, listen up," Carr addressed the assembled team of officers. "We have strong

took over the briefing. "Our best intel suggests the attempt will be made sometime after shift change at midnight, when hospital staffing is

officer portraying Jones in his original room, with the rest of our unit strategically

likely a professional, so we have to be on high alert. Chances are he'll strike fast and try to disappear just as quickly. Our window to L.D.

H

the go signal over comms, is that clear? We

allowed himself a grim smile of satisfaction. He'd overseen enough of these high-stakes stings in

circus on the road. I want everyone

drag by interminably. The staged hospital room had been carefully prepared, with one of the burlier plainclothes officers assuming the role of the unconscious Martin Jones tucked beneath the starchy linens. Several others had adopted roles as night staff

member, he would be perfectly placed to make the bust once their mark inevitably took the bait. His eyes remained trained on his wristwatch as the

under his breath, keying

forced himself to control his breathing, to maintain his facade of a concerned relative whiling away the long hours of the night. He could only imagine the tension gripping the officer laying in wait in the staged room, forced to stay completely still and passive even as their lives could

just as Carr was beginning to wonder if their intel had been compromised somehow, the faintest sound of footsteps reached his ears...footsteps that seemed to be growing nearer, rather than fading away

not to react, not to tense up even as his hand strayed towards the concealed holster beneath his jacket. The footfalls continued advancing until they reached the door of Jones's room...paused for the briefest of moments....and then continued inward with a nearly imperceptible

reigned once more for what felt like an eternity. Then, an infinitesimal gesture from the officer playing Jones shifted the air current just enough to allow a whisper of sound to reach Carr's ears -

M

Go!" Carr hissed into his comms, already surging to his feet

wards Jones's