Ryan's smile grew slightly.
Welters saw it and immediately became concerned.
"Detective."
"Yeah?"
"I don't like that smile."
McNab glanced into the rearview mirror to look at Ryan and came to a conclusion
Neither did he.
"Rookie."
"Yes?"
"Whatever you're thinking, don't. We're waiting for back up , don't engage"
Ryan looked offended.
"You don't even know what I'm thinking."
"That's exactly why I'm worried."
Another burst of gunfire erupted from the van.
Welter's reached for his gun on his waist but hesitation was plastered all over his face
The police cruiser swerved.
The suspect hanging out the back nearly lost his balance.
Ryan noticed it instantly.
The man was standing with most of his weight on his left foot.
A slight stumble.
A poor grip.
An unstable stance.
An opportunity.
Ryan rolled down the rear window.
"Rookie!" Welters shouted.
"What are you doing?!"
Ryan ignored him.
His eyes locked onto the suspect.
The distance.
The speed.
The timing.
Everything became clear.
Ryan reached into his pocket.
McNab blinked.
"Is that a coin?"
'well I won't be able to explain the kunai now won't I'
A slight blue coating coverd the coin
'lets see a little shuriken proficiency from you neji'
Ryan flicked his thumb.
The coin shot through the air.
The suspect unawares suddenly winced.
the coin struck his wrist.
Hard.
"OW!"
The man's hand jerked.
The pistol flew from his grip.
It bounced off the road and disappeared beneath a passing truck.
The suspect stared at his now-empty hand.
"What?!"
Inside the cruiser, silence reigned.
McNab slowly turned around.
"Did..."
Welters stared into the mirror.
"...Did you just disarm a gunman with pocket change?"
Ryan immediately regretted it.
"Honestly on that one I didn't think it was gonna work but I had to do something right no gun remember."
Neither officer looked convinced.
The gunman disappeared back into the van.
A moment later the vehicle accelerated.
"They're heading for the bridge," McNab said.
Ryan focused on his Byakugan again.
The driver was becoming desperate.
His heartbeat was elevated.
His hands were shaking.
And the explosives were shifting around in the back of the van.
That wasn't good.
Not good at all.
The van suddenly clipped another vehicle.
Metal scraped against metal.
The driver overcorrected.
The entire cargo compartment lurched.
Ryan watched one of the explosive bags slide dangerously close to the edge of the vehicle.
"Uh..."
"What now?" Welters asked.
Ryan pointed ahead.
"Maybe don't get too close."
"Why?"
Before Ryan could answer, sparks erupted beneath the van.
The suspects must have seen them too.
Panic spread instantly inside the vehicle.
One of the men started shouting.
Another tried securing the bags.
The driver made things worse by accelerating.
McNab grabbed his radio.
"All units, maintain distance. Suspects may be transporting explosive materials."
The response came immediately.
"Copy that."
For a few moments, nobody spoke.
Then welters saw something unexpected.
He'd been a beat cop for a far longer time then he'd liked and with that came knowing the city and all it's routes like the back of his hand
The van wasn't heading toward an escape route Out of the city
It wasn't heading toward another safe house in Gang territory.
It was heading toward the docks.
And waiting there was something much bigger.
A cargo ship.
Ryan focused his vision.
Several shipping containers sat on the dock.
Armed guards.
More vehicles.
More stolen merchandise.
And far more than six criminals.
Ryan's stomach dropped.
This wasn't a robbery crew.
This was an organized operation.
A big one.
Big enough that the FBI would probably get involved.
Big enough that the system will probably reward him a substantial amount.
Ryan almost felt giddy at the prospect
What a hell of a first day
Almost.
As the neared a specific dock right on the heels of the suspects his Byakugan picked up one final detail.
Standing on the deck of the cargo ship was a man in a tailored black suit.
Unlike the others, he wasn't panicking.
He wasn't shouting.
He wasn't running.
He was calmly watching the police chase through a pair of binoculars.
And for just a moment, Ryan had the strange feeling that the man was looking directly at him.
Even from over a mile away.
The suited man lowered his binoculars and smiled.