Chapter 10 - breaking records!!!

After we pinned down the suspect, the arrest was lightning fast and spot-on. We didn't give that guy a chance to fight back or bolt.

Especially with these ruthless desperados, the major Detective Bureaus don't just go in blind and solo. They always have SWAT teams, fully kitted out, backing them up.

Take that sniper round that nailed the bald fugitive in the arm. That just goes to show.

We'd rather have these fugitives barely breathing than letting them put up a fierce fight and cause unnecessary casualties.

...

At eleven at night, dozens of cop cars rolled back into the East End Detective Bureau orderly.

Aside from the bald fugitive who got sniped and was in surgery at the hospital, with a bunch of officers assigned just to keep an eye on him, the other two fugitives, who weren't that badly hurt, were immediately taken for intense interrogation to dig into the details of the case.

Inside the Detective Bureau office.

Miles, holding two sandwiches he just heated up in the microwave, looked at Ethan, who was deep in thought sitting on a chair, and said with a bit of excitement, "Ethan, what's on your mind?"

"Still thinking about the bust earlier? Man, to be part of that on your first day on the job, who would believe it if you told them?"

"But, you know."

"It's crazy that these three wanted guys from Washington State would end up in Gotham. Seems like they'd have an easier time laying low in some small town."

Ethan casually took a sandwich.

He skillfully opened the wrapper and shook his head, countering, "Miles, you're oversimplifying it."

"In a small town, where the community isn't that complex, these guys would stick out more. At least Gotham offers better hiding spots."

"The main reason they didn't choose a small town is..."

"They came here planning to rip off some big-time dealers, make a quick buck to keep running. Those small towns probably don't have big-time dealers like Skinny Dog."

"Actually."

"Their choice from the start was flawed. These guys are looking at life sentences if caught, and here they are trying to rob dealers who are already under heavy police watch."

"They probably thought..."

"Ripping off other criminals wouldn't get our attention, and they could easily grab a huge stash to fund their escape."

"But little did they know..."

"Ah, forget it, let's not talk about this anymore."

"There are too many issues and holes, no point in rehashing it!!!"

Clearly.

Ethan was at a loss on how to even begin analyzing the fugitives' terribly flawed escape plan. It was just too sloppy.

If it were him.

He'd have dozens of ways to easily escape this kind of manhunt.

...

Meanwhile, Miles, sitting next to him.

After listening to Ethan's analysis and explanation, his mouth was agape, eyes wide with shock, and he didn't even notice his sandwich falling onto the table.

Miles took a deep breath, about to say something, when Lucas, who had just walked out of the interrogation room in plain clothes and tossed his police uniform onto his chair, looked at them and chuckled, "Drop those sandwiches."

"No way you're spending your first day at the Detective Bureau working overtime and eating microwaved sandwiches. You'll have plenty of those days ahead."

"Come on, I'm taking you guys out for some late-night grub."

...

Less than 2 miles from the Detective Bureau, at a night market.

Lucas found a spot against the wall, pulled out the menu with ease and without any pretense said, "So, any dietary restrictions? If not, let's order the usual stuff we get here at the Detective Bureau."

"After a job, everyone likes to come here to unwind with some late-night eats. After all, in our line of work..."

"When it gets busy, there really isn't time for a proper meal."

Sitting across from him, Miles, popping open a beer, asked curiously, "Lucas, I'm a bit puzzled."

"Whether it's Skinny Dog or those three fugitives, the crimes they're involved in are major, possibly even leading to life sentences."

"But why..."

"Did the interrogation go so quickly? Felt like it was over in just a few minutes."

As their unofficial mentor, Lucas was open about criminal investigation matters. He set down the filled-out menu on the table, shaking his head, "Miles, you got it wrong there."

"It's precisely because their crimes are so serious and the evidence against them is rock-solid that the interrogation went so quickly."

"Except for the bald fugitive who was still getting medical treatment, the other two have already confessed. Or let's just say..."

"The evidence is overwhelming,they had no room to argue."

"The detectives from Washington State were notified immediately and are already on their way here. They should arrive by tomorrow morning."

"Then we can hand over the three to Washington State."

"As for Skinny Dog..."

"Though he seems scared out of his wits, digging out the big fish behind him won't be that simple,it's going to take a lot more effort."

At this point.

Ethan, who had been deep in thought, picked up the conversation.

"I think..."

"It's not so much that Skinny Dog doesn't want to talk,he probably doesn't know any critical information, maybe not even who his supplier is."

"After all."

"Anyone daring enough to sell that much heroin to Skinny Dog in Gotham has surely taken all precautions, including using single-point contacts as a basic measure."

"If we can't dig out the big players, we'll have to keep digging down, but it's likely just small-time addicts and dealers at the bottom, nothing urgent."

This made Lucas nod slightly, picking up his beer and taking a big gulp, clearly pleased.

"Ethan."

"I don't even know how to praise you enough, whether it's your actions today or your analysis of the case just now. Your level of thought is terrifying."

"You're really cut out for this line of work!"

"Oh, and."

"Chief Colt just mentioned to me, he wants you two to see him first thing tomorrow morning. Looks like he's going to talk about bumping you up to full-time ahead of schedule."

"Getting promoted on your first day as an intern, that's definitely for the record books!!!"