As the chaos unfolded in the outside world, nothing but
peace and calm hung in the air of the inspector's office at the police
station. "What's the situation, Mr. Gardner? Has the kid confessed yet?"
asked the Cobra impatiently as soon as he sat down. "It doesn't matter
whether he has or not. Any prisoner who falls into my hands is sure to
give in eventually." The fat inspector took another drag of his cigar
with a smug expression. "It's not a problem if you're on–site, but you
can't guarantee that things won't take a turn for the worse. I think you
ought to get it out of the way while you can," the Cobra suggested. "Why
do you say that? Are you trying to teach me how to do my job?" Gardner
cast a cold glare at him. "Of course not. I wouldn't even dream of it.
It's just that the kid has someone backing him up. If this isn't resolved
soon, trouble may arise," the Cobra explained with a quick apology. "What
trouble could possibly arise? I'm just doing my job. Plus, this is my
territory. Who would dare disobey me?" he reminded the man with
certainty. "Well, that's true, Mr. Gardner. You are Mr. Granville's son–
in–law after all–who would dare disrespect you?" agreed the Cobra
flatteringly. "Hmph! At least you're smart enough to know that!" the
inspector guffawed. He was perhaps prouder of having the mayor as his
father–in–law than of his identity as an inspector. The title of mayor
denoted the highest position of power in the whole of Swinton. "Mr.
Gardner, this is a gift from Sir Anderson. Please accept it," said the
Cobra as he held out a gift box with both hands. Gardner opened the box,
and the shimmer of the gold accessory put a smile on his face. "Hehe… Sir
Anderson is simply too generous. Send him my thanks! Also, reassure him
that I will handle this with extra care and ensure nothing goes wrong!"
"Thank you, Mr. Gardner!" The Cobra bowed in gratitude. While the two
spoke, the squad leader who had made the arrest entered the room
unannounced. "Is something the matter?" Gardner instantly slammed the
gift box shut. "Sir, the Nicholson family has just sent someone to
intercede, and they've offered to pay a hefty amount to release Dahlia
Nicholson on bail," the officer reported. "Pah! That woman is a wanted
criminal. There's no way she can be released on ball. Send them away!"
commanded Gardner with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Yes, sir." The
squad leader turned and left. However, he knocked on the door again in
less than a minute. "What is it this time?!"
barked the inspector, clearly losing his patience. "Sir, Ms. Harmon
called in earlier, claiming that we've arrested the wrong person. She has
asked us to release Dustin Rhys immediately." the officer said. "Ms.
Harmon? Do you mean Natasha Harmon?" Gardner's expression froze. "That's
her." The officer nodded. "Cobra, what's going on? You failed to mention
that this kid had anything to do with Natasha!" The inspector's eyes
turned feral Natasha was a lady of superiority in all aspects; money,
power, and influence. Under normal circumstances, she was not someone he
would offend for no reason. "Mr. Gardner, he's just a good–for–nothing
Natasha dotes on. In fact, he has no proper background. With your status,
you need not pay him much attention," the Cobra assured the inspector.
"Hmph! That better be the case!" Slightly flustered, Gardner instructed
the squad leader, "Tell Natasha Harmon that we are holding no such person
in our patrol room." Since he had already given his word to Duane, there
was no going back. For now, the best course of action would be to sweep
it under the carpet. However, as soon as the squad leader left, Gardner's
phone started ringing. "Mr. Anderson?" He was baffled by the caller ID
displayed on the screen. For Mr. Anderson to call at this hour.. could it
be for the kid as well? Wasn't this too much of a coincidence?! Brushing
the thought from his mind, he decided to pick up the call, still feeling
apprehensive. "Hello, Mr. Anderson! Is there anything I can do for you?"
"Mr. Gardner! Tell me, did you arrest a young man named Dustin Rhys?"
Hunter cut right to the chase without wasting a second. "Oh? Did I? Why
is it that I'm not aware of this?" Mr. Gardner questioned. His heart
skipped a beat, but he didn't let it show. He asked, "Mr. Anderson, did
something happen?" "Gardner! Don't you dare pull tricks on me! Heed my
order and release Dustin right this instant! Or else, don't blame me for
cutting you off for good!" Hunter yelled into the phone. "Mr. Anderson,
there must have been a misunderstanding! I don't know a Dustin at all.
How about I look into it for you?" The officer desperately put on an act.
There was no way he would spill the beans on the plan. "Alright then, you
fat bastard. You have no idea what you're getting yourself into! Mark my
words–if anything happens to Dustin, you and your whole family will go
down with him!" Hunter hung up the phone with a threatening growl: "Did
that old man get up on the wrong side of the bed today?" grumbled
Gardner, his displeasure written all over his face. "Sir, what's wrong?"
the Cobra asked cautiously. "What's wrong? Where did you get the guts to
ask me that?" Gardner slapped a palm onto the table. "Didn't you say the kid had no background?
Mr. Anderson just called to speak to me about the fellow! Does that sound like someone
with no background to you? Are you deliberately trying to set me up, you
motherfucker?!" Natasha Harmon was already a handful. Now that Hunter
Anderson was also in the picture, this was equivalent to stripping him
down and tying him to a skewer over an open fire. "No way! There's no way
that he has relations with Mr. Anderson! I–I really didn't know about
this," the Cobra stuttered as the color drained from his face. "Quick,
call Duane now. This situation is getting way out of hand. He'll have to
pay me more if he wants this matter settled smoothly," Gardner ordered.
"Alright, alright. I will call Sir Anderson immediately!" The Cobra did
not hesitate as he dialed Duane's number. Over the phone, he briefly
explained Gardner's request. After confirming an affirmative answer, he
reported, "Sir, Sir Anderson has agreed to double the price as long as
you can get the job done!" Hearing this, the tense muscles on the
inspector's face finally eased. *Sir Anderson is truly generous! In that
case, I'll do my very best!" he declared with a smile of contentment.
Well, money did do wonders, after all. A middle ground is always more
easily reached with a good payout.