A cathartic experience.
Under the influence of fatigue and a trace of medication, the Latina beauty beside Dean naturally fell into a deep sleep.
With the prepared items, Dean changed into a set of disposable clothes and crawled into the entrance of an underground drainage pipe near the massage parlor. This was why he had chosen this particular massage parlor. In downtown Los Angeles, the surface roads were well-traveled, and the underground was equally impressive, boasting an extensive network of over 10,000 kilometers of drainage pipelines. The largest pipes were even big enough to drive a car through. Many homeless people had set up their small nests inside them to shelter from the wind and sun.
Guided by a small compass, Dean raced for several kilometers before emerging from another pipe. He then pushed out a second-hand modified Harley hidden among miscellaneous items nearby. After changing into new clothes and spraying deodorant, the Harley’s exhaust pipe emitted a deafening ROAR as Dean, now with a new identity, sped toward Carmen Manor.
To some ordinary people in Los Angeles, manor-style mansions are commonly thought to be located in Beverly Hills, the haunt of Hollywood stars, California sports celebrities, and many tycoons. But the truly prestigious estates were demarcated when Los Angeles was first established, standing apart from the masses while enjoying comprehensive service facilities. Carmen Manor was one such place. It was situated on a cliff near the sea, at a lofty altitude. A special road had been built for the ascent, and many areas around the perimeter were fitted with iron fences and checkpoints, marking it as private property. Most ordinary people might never have even heard of this place. Dean, at least, had come up empty when he tried to find information about it; in the end, it was Abel who provided him with topographic maps and rudimentary defense layouts.
According to Abel’s intelligence, surveillance and sensor devices were spread out within five kilometers of Carmen Manor, and animal repellents were regularly sprayed in the woods. Therefore, even if someone breached the visible checkpoints, they would be discovered immediately upon getting close. Their only chances lay with the cliff below the manor and the sky above. The cliff, a natural barrier with the vast sea below, hardly needed mentioning; defenses there were difficult to set, and any implemented could be countered. The sky above was an even more obvious vulnerability. Using the cover of night to parachute in directly would be impossible to defend against. However, very few people were capable of gliding in precisely without causing a disturbance, and that group did not include Dean or Abel.
Dean arrived punctually on the highway, about five kilometers from the mountain road entrance to Carmen Manor. He lit a cigarette and waited quietly for Abel’s arrival. Since Abel said he could find him, Dean chose to trust him. If things went well today, that was fine. If not, Dean would not hesitate to kill Abel. Then, before the Carmen Family could react, he would take his family and Abel’s resources and flee to the Commonwealth to seek shelter with Anthony. He had already subtly hinted at this to Anthony.
「Nine o’clock sharp.」
A white light appeared on the sea surface below the highway, flashing rhythmically several times. It was Morse code: ’Dive in!’
How did this guy confirm my location? Dean wondered. He had checked everything Abel gave him, and there were no problems. Perhaps this was the difference in methods between professional killers and expendable Sweepers.
After hiding the Harley, Dean did a final check of his equipment before heading down the highway toward the location of the light.
As he got closer, he finally saw a strangely shaped watercraft by the light of the moon. Abel was standing on the shore and handed Dean a simple diving kit. "This is a modified device that can submerge underwater, helping us approach the cliff."
"What about the plan?" Dean asked. "And the retreat?" He didn’t move. He wouldn’t risk his life without clear answers.
Abel wasn’t surprised. He squatted down and drew a simple diagram in the sand. "I’ve put a tracker on that fat guy, Snetter. The place he’s at should be the Carmen Family members’ meeting room. Luckily, this place is at the very top of the cliff, where the view is expansive. Standing there gives one the thrill of looking down on everyone below. Those powerful people love these kinds of setups."
"As for the plan..." Abel spread his hands. "One person infiltrates first. When they send a signal, the person on the outside creates a commotion and launches an assault. I’ve calculated that we have enough time to escape within five minutes. If it exceeds that, the attacker will have a hard time escaping, and the infiltrator will surely die."
Reality isn’t like the movies, Abel thought. When members of the Carmen Family gather, security is bound to be at its peak. Under the coverage of various high-tech devices, this kind of infiltration assassination is increasingly difficult.
"Are you sure?" Dean asked.
"Sure!" Abel confirmed.
Out of fear for his life, Dean nodded. "Then I’ll handle the direct assault, and you take care of the infiltration. I can promise that I won’t leave before the limit, but if I can’t hold on, I’ll jump straight into the sea and escape!"
"Good!" Abel readily agreed without hesitation.
He had several escape plans of his own, after all. In his original plan, Dean was just cannon fodder to attract fire while he, Abel, would be the main force for infiltration. This suited him perfectly.
"Retreating is simple." Abel pointed toward the distant cliff. "As soon as our operation begins, we can’t rule out the police deploying armed helicopters for support, so our only escape route is by water. If I don’t surface within three minutes, you take the submersible watercraft, find a place to go ashore, and don’t worry about me."