Rooftop Edge
Owen had already noted earlier that the west side of the building was under renovation, with scaffolding covering the wall.
This was their way out.
"No, no, I can't do this! I'm afraid of heights! I won't be able to hold on!"
Before Owen could say anything, Alex was already begging.
No matter how hard Monica pulled, he refused to budge.
Owen had no doubt that if there was a pillar nearby, Alex would cling to it for dear life.
The guy wasn't faking it.
But that didn't matter.
The mercenaries inside the building were still searching for them.
Even though the firefight outside was still ongoing, they hadn't given up.
Owen didn't have time to waste.
"Get over here."
He grabbed Alex by the collar and dragged him to the edge.
Then, he lifted him off the ground.
Held him out over the rooftop.
Alex's screams turned into terrified whimpers.
"Don't struggle, or you'll slip and die."
Owen's calm voice had a magical effect.
Alex froze instantly.
He looked utterly pathetic.
Owen glanced down below.
Then—
He let go.
"AAAAAHHHH!!!"
Alex's shriek echoed through the air—
Before he crashed into a large dumpster below.
Owen had calculated everything.
He wasn't actually going to kill him.
—
A moment later, Owen and Monica climbed down the scaffolding.
It was only three stories high.
Nothing too difficult for them.
The gunfire in the distance continued.
Owen pulled Alex out of the dumpster.
The garbage inside had cushioned the fall.
Aside from looking filthy, Alex was completely unharmed.
Surprisingly, no one had noticed them.
Alex's scream hadn't drawn attention.
Under the cover of night, the three of them disappeared into an alley.
Owen and Monica moved like shadows.
Alex, however, stumbled along clumsily.
—
A Few Streets Away
At a small alley entrance, three dark figures emerged.
They didn't move immediately.
Instead, they stood in the shadows, observing.
The gunfire had stopped.
Either they were too far away to hear it, or the fight was over.
Owen scanned the area.
This street had no surveillance cameras.
Few shops.
Owen had been a cop long enough to know that some store owners installed private cameras for security.
He avoided those areas.
Instead, he picked a dark corner.
—
This time, Owen didn't have to act.
Monica was eager to go.
She had never felt this excited before.
Her time with Owen—no, their teamwork—
Felt perfect.
Even though they hadn't known each other long,
She always knew exactly what he was thinking.
It made no sense.
But she loved it.
And now, Owen had taught her how to steal cars.
It was thrilling.
For someone like Monica—who had no personal life—
Owen had opened a new world.
—
Just now, Monica had stolen her first car.
Though it was a disappointment.
An old model.
No alarm system.
She had simply smashed the window and hotwired it.
Too easy.
—
They got inside.
Owen signaled for Monica to drive.
"Get us out of here first."
The car moved through the maze-like streets of the old district.
Owen didn't know every alley,
But he had a general sense of where surveillance was heavier and where it was lighter.
Monica drove while blowing bubbles with her gum.
She was following Owen's instructions to get them far from the last location.
Meanwhile, Owen called Bryan Mills.
—
"This is Bryan. Who's calling?"
Owen heard a piano playing in the background.
"Bryan, it's Owen. Uh… what are you doing?"
"Hey, buddy. I'm listening to Kim play the piano.
You ever heard her play? It's beautiful.
Like walking on clouds."
"You know music?"
"No. But it doesn't matter. As long as Kim is playing, it's good."
Owen sighed.
"Alright… if you say so."
He got to the point.
"Bryan, you know my situation, right?"
"Of course. It's on the news 24/7.
All of L.A. knows."
"I should warn you, Owen—your actions today weren't smart."
"What?"
"You lost control. You need to manage your emotions.
That cartel boss—if you wanted to kill him, you should have done it quietly.
Instead, you staged a whole scene and got caught on camera."
"I was just—"
"I know."
Bryan cut him off.
"You weren't planning to kill him at first.
Maybe because of police protocol, maybe something else.
But then—he pissed you off.
And you lost control. Right?"
Owen instinctively nodded.
Even though Bryan couldn't see him.
"You let your emotions show.
That was a mistake."
"If someone crosses you, just eliminate them.
Don't make a show of it.
He won't be scared of you.
And it doesn't help you in any way."
Owen had no comeback.
Bryan was right.
Owen had never thought about it like this before.
It was like the saying—"the dog that bites doesn't bark."
—
In Paris, Bryan had been the same.
Even though he had been desperate to save Kim,
He never lost control.
His face never revealed his thoughts.
Unless—
He wanted you to see them.
Owen suddenly realized—
Psychologically, he was far behind these guys.
Bryan and his kind…
Could destroy him without lifting a finger.
—
"Alright, enough about that. Why'd you call me?"
Bryan brought the conversation back on track.
"Uh… I have a problem."
Owen explained everything.
Including the FBI mole.
But he kept CTU vague.
Bryan didn't pry.
He knew curiosity was dangerous.
Then, after a pause—
"Owen, you're in serious trouble.
If I were you, I wouldn't have touched this case at all."
"A billion dollars?
That's enough to assassinate a president.
Hell, for that money, I could stage a coup and overthrow a small country."
"Every capable person in the U.S. is watching this bounty.
Even I'm tempted."
"From now on, don't trust anyone.
And don't call anyone.
You'll only put them in danger."
Owen started to apologize—
"Not me, of course."
Bryan chuckled.
"You need to get rid of this problem ASAP.
You won't win every fight.
FBI? Not safe.
CTU? Definitely not safe.
Your only option is the military.
Most organizations can't infiltrate the armed forces."
Owen saw the logic.
"The military base outside L.A.?"
"Exactly. Let them handle it.
If someone still wants Alex, they'll have to deal with the military."
Owen was about to tell Monica—
But Bryan added:
"Don't go now.
If you storm a military base at night, they'll shoot you on sight.
Wait until morning."
Then—
"Also, think about your family.
Even if Alex dies, the Montel Cartel will come after you.
We should discuss it.
But first—
Survive tomorrow."
"Good luck."
Bryan hung up.
Owen sat in deep thought.
_________________________
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