Reincarnated Mercenary on Duty-Chapter 35: Mission Completed

"The photos are some kind of sick trophies of his victims," Frank said grimly. "Karl convinces these women to do coke with him, slips them a sedative, then rapes them."

He pointed at the projection screen, where images of various women were displayed—pictures Zoey had pulled from Andrew’s laptop. Layla sat across from them, listening intently.

"In the morning, they’re too afraid to come forward," Frank continued. "If they do, they’d have to admit they were using drugs. He preys on that fear."

Layla’s expression darkened. "I suppose that explains why the charges against him are always dropped."

Zoey clenched her fists. "This guy’s a monster. He gets off on violating and humiliating these women, and he’s not going to stop." She took a deep breath, then added coldly, "I think we should just let him die, Chief."

Layla’s eyes snapped to her. "Shut up, Zoey. How can you say that as a detective? Stop letting your emotions cloud your judgment."

Zoey bit her lip, looking away.

Layla exhaled sharply and turned back to Frank. "What about the fake name she’s been using?"

Zoey quickly composed herself. "She recently signed rental agreements under the alias ’Megan.’ A van and a vacation home in Caeloria."

Frank straightened. "You got the address?"

"Yeah."

"Send it to me. I’ll check it out."

Without waiting for a response, he grabbed his keys and walked out.

*****

A short drive later, Frank parked near the secluded vacation home. The place was quiet, tucked away behind thick trees. He slipped inside, moving carefully as he scanned the dimly lit space.

His phone buzzed. He answered without looking.

"Are you there?" Zoey’s voice came through the line.

"Yeah. I’m in."

"Find anything?"

Frank’s eyes roamed over the room—his gaze landing on a duffel bag sitting by the bed.

"Still searching," he muttered, moving toward it.

Frank moved through the house, scanning every corner. His eyes landed on a wall cupboard. Something about it felt off.

He stepped closer, gripping the handle, and pulled it open.

"Damn," he muttered under his breath.

Zoey’s voice crackled through the phone. "What is it? Did you find something?"

Frank exhaled sharply. "Yeah." He reached inside, lifting a sealed packet of white powder. "The doctor has everything she needs to make Andrew disappear—for good."

"What do you mean, disappear?" Zoey asked, her voice wary.

Frank ran a hand through his hair. "Eight pounds of lye. Heat it to 300 degrees, and a body dissolves in about three hours. Give or take."

There was silence on the line, then—

"And how the fuck do you know that?" Zoey demanded.

Frank smirked. "I know a lot of things." He crouched, inspecting the rest of the supplies. "She’s meticulous. Every detail planned to a T. If she goes through with this, she’ll get away with it."

Zoey hesitated before saying, "I’m starting to wonder if maybe she’s doing the world a favor."

Frank’s expression hardened. "Eliana isn’t a killer. If she crosses this line, there’s no going back. It’ll ruin her life."

Zoey sighed. "So, what do we do?"

Frank straightened, determination hardening his features. "We don’t give her the chance." He shut the cupboard firmly. "I’m going to throw him behind bars. He’ll be punished—but by the law."

Zoey scoffed. "And how exactly are you gonna do that? We don’t have any evidence against him."

Frank smirked. "I have an idea."

He hung up and headed straight back to the precinct.

*****

Evidence Storage Room – Late Evening

Frank strode into the secured evidence storage, a place where confiscated items—drugs, weapons, stolen goods—were locked away.

A guard stationed at the door stopped him. "State your business. Name and case number in the log."

Frank pulled out a folded bundle of crisp 100-VRC bills and discreetly slipped them into the man’s pocket. "Keep this off the books."

The guard smirked, weighing the bribe between his fingers. "Damn. You know, I suddenly really gotta take a leak." He stretched, yawning. "Don’t mess anything up while I’m gone."

Frank nodded as the man walked off. He wasted no time.

Moving quickly, he scanned the shelves of seized narcotics. After a moment, his eyes landed on what he needed—a tightly wrapped bundle of cocaine confiscated from a major drug cartel.

Carefully, he slipped a few packets into his bag and walked out undetected.

****

Midnight – Empty Intersection

Frank leaned against a lamppost, waiting. The quiet hum of the city surrounded him, interrupted only by the occasional passing car.

A sleek black sedan approached, slowing at the red light. Right on schedule.

Frank pushed off the pole and walked up to the driver’s side, knocking on the window.

Andrew rolled it down, frowning. "What the hell’s your problem?"

Frank didn’t answer. He swung hard, his fist connecting with Andrew’s face. A sickening crack filled the air as Andrew slumped forward, unconscious.

Frank exhaled. "No problem."

Working fast, he opened the door and placed the stolen cocaine on the passenger seat and backseat. After making sure everything looked natural, he hopped into the driver’s seat, slammed his foot on the gas, and swerved the car straight into a traffic pole.

Satisfied, he disappeared into the night.

****

Next Morning – Precinct

Zoey stood with her arms crossed, reading the reports. "So... this was your plan?"

Andrew’s mugshot flashed on the screen, arrested on drug trafficking charges.

Frank leaned back in his chair, sipping his coffee. "It worked, didn’t it?"

Zoey sighed, rubbing her temple. "Yeah, it did."

"Actually... no." James’ voice cut through their conversation.**

Frank frowned. "What do you mean?"

James tossed a file onto Frank’s desk. "Because Andrew just got released."

Frank’s jaw tightened. "What the fuck? A whole five kilos of cocaine was found in his car, and he just walks free?"

James shook his head. "Guy’s got four lawyers. Each one wearing a suit that costs more than I make in six months."

Zoey let out a low whistle. "The kind of lawyers who know every loophole a piece of garbage like Andrew can crawl through."

Frank exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples. His plan had been airtight—or so he thought.

Zoey smirked. "Looks like your little setup failed. What now?"

Frank’s expression darkened. "I’ll find another way."

And this time, he wouldn’t leave any room for failure. freewebnøvel_com

*****

Police Department – Evening

Frank leaned back, sipping his coffee, finally taking a moment to breathe. But just as he exhaled, Ajay burst into the room, urgency written all over his face.

"Frank, the tracker you told me to watch—it’s moving!"

Frank sat up straight. "What? I thought she was in the middle of her shift."

"She was. But her tracker says otherwise."

Frank’s grip tightened around the cup. "Where’s she headed?"

Ajay glanced at his screen. "Can’t say for sure, but it looks like... Andrew’s apartment."

"Shit!" Frank shot up, slamming the cup onto his desk. "Can’t even enjoy a damn coffee." He grabbed his jacket and rushed out.

*****

Andrew’s Apartment – Night

Andrew strolled into his penthouse, the security system beeping as he punched in his access code. The door unlocked, and he stepped inside, switching on the lights without a second thought.

Everything seemed normal.

He walked to the dining table, reaching for a glass of water—then he heard something. A faint rustling.

Frowning, he turned—but before he could react, a surge of electricity tore through his body.

His muscles seized. His vision blurred. His mind screamed—but darkness swallowed him before he could even process what happened.

Dr. Eliana stepped forward, lowering the taser, her face obscured beneath a black hoodie and cap. She wasted no time.

Grabbing his limp body, she hoisted him into a wheelchair she had already prepared, securing thick restraints around his wrists and ankles. Then, she slipped an oxygen mask over his face—but instead of fresh air, a sedative gas pumped through the tubes.

Andrew remained unconscious. Just as planned.

With a firm grip, Eliana rolled the wheelchair out to the parking garage, opening the doors of the rented van. With effort, she pushed him inside, securing him in place.

Sliding into the driver’s seat, she started the engine and pulled out onto the empty road.

*****

Suburb – Gas Station

A dark van pulled into the quiet gas station. The neon sign flickered above as Eliana stepped out, pulling her hoodie lower over her face. She walked into the convenience store, heading straight for the snack aisle.

Grabbing a few protein bars, she turned—and nearly crashed into a man blocking her way.

"I thought it was you," the man said casually.

Eliana’s eyes flickered up. Frank.

"Remember me?" he asked, his expression unreadable.

Eliana forced a small, polite smile. "Oh? The guy from the support group." She tilted her head as if trying to recall.

Frank nodded. "Yeah."

Eliana’s grip on the snack bars tightened. "Well, I gotta go." She moved to step around him, her pulse quickening.

But Frank shifted, cutting off her escape. "Let me buy you a coffee... Megan."

Eliana froze. Her stomach dropped. He had used her fake name.

"Come on," Frank continued, his tone calm, almost friendly. He leaned in, lowering his voice to a whisper. "The guy you’ve got tied up in the back of the van can wait."

Her breath hitched.

She had no choice.

Slowly, she followed him to a booth.

Frank sipped his coffee, watching her carefully. Across from him, Eliana sat stiffly.

The air between them was thick with tension. Eliana’s hands trembled around her coffee cup, her knuckles white. Frank leaned in slightly, his voice low, steady.

"You’re smart. And you’ve been careful. You probably wouldn’t get caught." He paused, his eyes locked onto hers. "But the truth is... you’ll never get away with it."

Eliana exhaled sharply, her lips pressing together. "Do you even know who he is? What he’s done?" Her voice cracked, barely holding back the storm of emotions.

Frank nodded. "I know all about Andrew Karl. I know all about you—Dr. Eliana Rose. And I know you’re a damn good doctor. You’ve spent years of your life healing people. But if you go through with this..." He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "...if you murder this man in cold blood... it will kill you, too."

Eliana swallowed, her throat tight. "You told me you lost someone. Is that true?"

Frank remained silent.

She leaned forward. "How can you sit there and tell me not to do something that you know, in your heart, you would do too?"

Frank met her gaze, unwavering. "Because, unlike you, I know what happens when you take a life." His voice was quiet, firm. "You lose a part of yourself. Not everything. Just the part that matters the most."

The words hit her like a punch to the gut.

"You don’t have to do this," he continued. "You can turn around right now."

Eliana shook her head, her breath shaky. "Mm-mm. He’s seen me. He saw my face."

Frank didn’t blink. "Then I’ll have a little talk with him. Trust me, it won’t matter."

A bitter laugh escaped her lips. "You really think I’m just going to hand you the keys? After everything he’s done? He gets to walk free?" She gritted her teeth, her voice breaking. "What do I get?"

Frank softened, his words slow, deliberate. "You get a second chance. You get to let go. You get your life back."

Eliana clenched her jaw, her eyes burning with tears. "And what does Alicia get?"

Frank inhaled. "She gets to keep her memory of you."

Silence.

Her shoulders slumped, the fight draining from her body.

Her hands trembled as she reached into her pocket, pulling out the van keys. She placed them on the table, her fingers lingering over them for a moment before letting go.

"...I don’t get it," she whispered. "Why are you doing this? Why are you trying to help me? You’re a detective. You’re supposed to arrest me."

Frank took the keys, his voice steady. "Because I know you’re a good doctor, Miss Rose. The world needs people like you." He glanced at her, his expression softer now. "And besides... you haven’t committed the crime yet."

Eliana exhaled, leaning on her clasped hands.

"...Sigh~"

She closed her eyes, letting the weight of her decision settle in.

****

Abandoned Cabin – Dawn

A groan escaped Andrew’s lips as he stirred awake, his head throbbing from the lingering sedative. He squinted against the dim morning light filtering through a cracked window. His wrists twitched as he tried to move, but they weren’t tied—just weak from whatever knocked him out.

"Where... where am I?" His voice was hoarse. The last thing he remembered was stepping into his loft—then the sharp pain of a taser. "That woman—she tased me."

"Don’t worry. I told her to leave."

Andrew’s eyes snapped toward the voice. Across from him, sitting in a wooden chair, was a man he didn’t recognize—at least not at first. Then, realization dawned.

The guy from the bar. The detective.

Frank leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees, his gaze unblinking. "She’s not cut out for this. She fixes people. Unlike us." His tone was eerily calm. "We break them."

Andrew’s face lost color. He swallowed hard, darting a glance at the table between them. A pistol rested there, its metallic frame catching the early light.

His pulse spiked.

"I... I don’t understand," Andrew stammered, his voice shaking. "Who are you?"

Frank remained silent.

"What—what are you gonna do to me?"

Frank tilted his head slightly, as if contemplating. "Honestly? I haven’t decided yet."

He picked up the gun, testing the weight in his hands. Andrew’s breath hitched.

"I’m gonna ask you a question." Frank’s voice was level, controlled. "Do you think people ever really change?"

Andrew blinked rapidly. "Wha—what?"

Frank ignored him. "You hurt innocent people. And I..." He exhaled slowly, he recalled his previous life. "For a long time, I killed people like you."

Andrew flinched, his hands shaking as he held them up in surrender. "Please—I’m not who you think I am. This is a mistake."

Frank chuckled, but there was no humor in it. He pulled back the slide of the gun, loading a round into the chamber.

"Wait. Uh, okay." Andrew’s words spilled out in a panicked rush. "I’ve done some things, yeah... I’ve crossed some lines. But I won’t do it again. I—I swear."

Frank let out a quiet breath. "Oh, don’t worry. I’ll make sure of that."

Andrew whimpered. "P-please. Let me go."

Frank pressed the cold barrel against his forehead. "I could let you go." A pause. "But you’re going to confess. Right here. Right now."

Andrew hesitated.

Frank’s finger tensed against the trigger.

"Wait! Wait! I’ll talk! I’ll talk!"

The dam broke. Words spilled out in frantic, desperate waves. Andrew confessed everything—the drugs, the women, the blackmail. The hidden hard drives. The videos. The sick trophies he kept as proof of his power over his victims.

Frank let him talk. He let the camera—hidden neatly in the corner of the room—record every word.

By the time Andrew was done, he was slumped in the chair, shaking, tears streaking down his face.

Frank stood up, pocketing the recording device. "Good boy."

He grabbed Andrew by the collar, dragged him to the van, and threw him inside.

****

Police Department – Later That Morning

Frank pulled into the precinct, stepping out of the van with a satisfied look. Zoey was already waiting, arms crossed, a mix of concern and curiosity on her face.

"Tell me you didn’t do something stupid."

Frank smirked, tossing a flash drive into her hands. "Let’s just say... he won’t be walking free this time."

Zoey plugged the drive into her laptop. As she watched the confession play out on the screen, her eyes widened.

She exhaled. "Holy shit."

Frank just smiled.

New n𝙤vel chapters are published on f(r)e𝒆webn(o)vel.com