CHAPTER 226: CHAPTER 226 THE LAST-MINUTE RESCUE

Jace’s POV

I was standing on the first floor, scanning every inch of the corridor when something caught my eye—a woman slipping into the bathroom. I couldn’t pinpoint where she’d come from, but my investigator instincts kicked into high gear.

"Renata," I called to my fellow officer. "Check that woman who just entered the bathroom. Something feels off."

I positioned myself by the door, hand hovering over my weapon. Seconds later, I heard a crash. I burst in to find Renata straddling the woman on the bathroom floor, snapping handcuffs around her wrists.

"Investigator, it’s her—the woman from the security footage," Renata announced, yanking the suspect to her feet. "Different clothes, but definitely the same face."

"You’re insane! I haven’t done anything!" the woman screamed, struggling against Renata’s grip.

I slammed her against the wall, pressing my gun to her temple. "Here’s how this works—tell me where the pup is now, or I redecorate these tiles with your brains and claim self-defense. Your choice, sweetheart."

The woman’s body trembled, but her eyes remained cold as she composed herself, offering a calculated smile. "I have no idea what you’re talking about. But you can search me if you want... thoroughly."

My patience vanished. I shoved her toward the sink. "Renata, search her. Don’t be gentle."

Renata’s eyes lit up. "Finally, some fun." She grabbed the woman and slammed her against the wall. "Arms and legs out. Now."

When the woman hesitated, Renata smashed her head against the tile. "Did you see that, Investigator? Total self-defense."

"Witnessed it clearly," I confirmed, pressing my gun harder against her skull. "Listen carefully,I have zero patience for baby snatchers. Do what she says."

The woman finally complied, spreading her limbs. Renata’s search was brutal,her hands pressing hard enough to leave bruises. When she reached the stomach area, she paused.

"There’s something here." Renata’s voice hardened. "Remove your shirt."

The woman refused. Renata’s hand cracked across her face, leaving a vivid red mark. "I said strip, bitch!"

Finally, the woman pulled off her blouse. Strapped to her stomach was a holster containing a taser, cell phone, and a syringe with vial. Renata handed me the items.

"What else are you hiding?" Renata’s eyes gleamed dangerously. "These types always have secret compartments everywhere. Remove your shoes."

When the woman hesitated again, Renata gripped her throat. "Now."

The woman kicked off her shoes while Renata pulled on a glove and thrust her hand down the woman’s pants, causing her to rise to her tiptoes with a cry of pain. I checked the shoes and discovered an ID card hidden under one insole.

"Disgusting," Renata muttered, disposing of her glove after the invasive search. "That’s probably all unless she’s got something up her ass. Your call, Investigator.X-ray or manual search?"

I smiled coldly at our suspect. "Well, Ms. Elisa Mourisco, according to your ID, do we have time for hospital procedures, or should Officer Renata continue her... thorough investigation?"

"What do you want?" The woman was crying with rage now, teeth clenched.

"You already know," I replied calmly.

"He’s dead," she spat with a smirk. Renata slapped her face again, harder this time.

"No time for X-rays," Renata announced, bending the woman over the sink. "I’ll search her with my piece." She pulled out her gun, showing it in the mirror’s reflection.

"I’ll talk! I’ll talk!" The woman broke, sobbing against the porcelain.

"Sing for us," Renata taunted.

"Machine room! Under the third tank!" she screamed.

Realization hit me instantly,she meant the boilers. I sprinted out, yelling for Renata to secure the suspect. The boiler room’s extreme heat could kill a newborn within minutes. I raced down the corridor, my heart hammering against my ribs.

Inside the machine room, I ran to the third boiler and nearly collapsed with relief when I heard a soft whimper. Following the sound, I found a small bundle tucked under the pipes behind the boiler—warm, but thankfully not directly under the deadly heat source.

I lifted the tiny pup to my chest, his crying immediately softening as I held him. Turning to leave, I spotted a purse and discarded nurse’s uniform nearby. I called the officers who’d followed me to document and collect the evidence.

Back in the hallway, Renata had the kidnapper’s face pressed against the wall. Her expression softened when she saw the baby in my arms.

I leaned close to the kidnapper’s ear.

"You’re lucky he’s alive, or you’d be the one under that boiler. Did she explain why, Renata?"

"She sang beautifully," Renata replied. "Howard ordered it. She’s working with someone else,only knows him as ’Joker.’"

"Perfect. Now let’s find this Joker character."

Renata smiled as I turned to leave. "Go ahead, Batman. I’ll hand this Harley Quinn over to Officer Emilio and catch up."

I laughed despite the situation and mind-linked Alpha Draven immediately. "Your pup is safe. Tell Dr. Molina to maintain lockdown,we still have another suspect inside."

Taking the stairs with security guards, I carefully locked each door behind us. When I reached Luna Caroline’s room, I placed the tiny bundle in her trembling arms. Tears streamed down her face as she clutched her baby to her chest.

Alpha Draven pulled me into a fierce embrace. "That’s the second child of mine you’ve rescued," he said, voice thick with emotion. "You’re their guardian spirit."

"I don’t know about that," I replied. "Though hospital rumors say the investigator is Batman," Dr. Molina chimed in, making everyone laugh.

"Can we agree these pups stay out of trouble now?" I joked, massaging my neck. "I’ve had enough heart attacks for one day."

While Dr. Molina examined the baby, I explained the rescue. Luna Caroline, now calmer and coordinating their hospital discharge, called me over with her son cradled in her arms.

"Jace, this is Lucas, your godchild." She placed the tiny bundle back in my arms. "I know you’ll protect him with your life. Thank you."

Unexpected emotion overwhelmed me. Originally, Alpha Draven and Luna Caroline planned to randomly assign godparents to their quadruplets, but this deliberate choice honored me beyond words.

"Never thought I’d see a wolf your size cry," Alpha Draven teased.

"I’m busy bonding with my godson," I replied, reluctant to return the pup but knowing his mother needed him. "I’ll escort you home once we complete the search."

Dr. Molina showed me security footage of the only other person who’d exited through the fire escape—a medium-height, thin man in a red cap, jeans, and black t-shirt. No camera had captured his face. We searched again and found the discarded clothes in a nursing break room blind spot. Another dead end.

I returned to inform them we couldn’t identify the second suspect. "We’ll have to reopen the hospital and continue our investigation differently."

Calling my officers together, I gave final instructions. "Emilio, transport the suspect to headquarters. We’ll formalize statements there. Tell Magnus to wrap things up here." The officer nodded, escorting the handcuffed kidnapper away.

"The rest of you, with me," I ordered. "We’re escorting the Alpha and Luna home safely."