Strictly speaking, Jack isn't completely clueless. The sacred texts on traversing worlds even include some knowledge of accounting, though it's limited to basic bookkeeping. However, the vast sea of financial regulations in the USA deterred him from further study. There are better things to do with one's time than competing with Chris for a job.
"Let's discuss the specifics. I'm not great at finding people, but the place you mentioned happens to be my turf, so I can think of a way."
Jack didn't lay all his cards on the table. Only a fool would show everything upfront, and this old fox hadn't named his price yet.
Ray King remained expressionless, but he had already placed this overly handsome young man on the same level as himself.
"Alejandro Mesia, alias Sassel Ojeda, an excellent forensic accountant and a cryptocurrency expert. Six weeks ago, he was embedded in an arms smuggling ring. The goal was to infiltrate their financial system and disrupt their funding channels. However, he has not been heard from since."
"I assumed he was either discovered and silenced or had already..."
Jack nodded in understanding. It was 2019, and although cryptocurrencies hadn't yet peaked, their trading volumes were increasing yearly. If Alejandro Mesia had indeed gained control of the smuggling ring's digital currency, he could easily abscond with millions. Such temptation is hard for an ordinary person to resist.
"How much do you trust this subordinate of yours? What should I do if I find him?"
Ray King pondered for a moment. "Emotionally, I trust him completely. He's one of my most loyal men. Since he's in LA and not overseas, it's a signal. I tend to believe he hasn't betrayed us, but..."
"But you can't guarantee that your internal operations are foolproof, right?" Jack finished his sentence.
Ray King nodded. "That's my mistake. This undercover operation was a last-minute decision. I didn't establish a secure communication channel with him. The team responsible for him has been detained. Now, the only thing to do is find him quickly and bring him directly to me."
"No problem. But I need you to contact my superior, Chief Anderson. Only with her authorization can I reasonably mobilize resources to find Alejandro Mesia and ensure his safety, then notify you to pick him up."
"You can make up any reason. She won't question it," Jack added.
Ray King looked surprised, seemingly unsure of Jack's confidence. After checking his phone, he nodded.
"Thank you very much. If this operation succeeds, we expect to intercept 60% of the smuggling ring's cash flow, totaling about 30 million. The IRS will give you 1% of that as a reward."
Jack's facade of calm nearly cracked at the mention of that number. After a moment of silence, he chuckled bitterly.
"Are you this generous with your own people?"
Ray King smiled. "Our internal policy is to turn in 90% of the proceeds from each operation. The remaining 10% is divided among the participants based on their contributions. Your 1% will come from my share."
Jack sighed. "Now I understand why you're so confident in your subordinates' loyalty."
The IRS is indeed wealthy. If it weren't for the risk of letting Maureen down, he'd want to latch onto this golden opportunity. No, he definitely needs to get some compensation from Maureen later.
After the discussion, Ray King handed Jack a file on Alejandro Mesia and a brief introduction to the arms smuggling ring. Once Jack memorized the details, Ray took the file back and said he would fly back to DC that night. The two shook hands at the door to part ways.
"I'll contact Chief Anderson first thing in the morning. She is quite a rare beauty. Even an old man like me is somewhat smitten."
Ray King winked slyly at Jack before leaving.
Damn old fox, Jack cursed internally. This was not unnecessary flattery, after all. Letting the other party think they have some small leverage over you makes you more trustworthy than being completely inscrutable. This was a lesson learned from over forty years of life experience in his previous life.
"Oh, right." After a few steps, Ray King suddenly turned back and said, "I have one year left until retirement. Until then, my invitation to you stands. It's been a long time since I've met a young man as outstanding as you."
Jack returned a fake smile. "Even if I don't choose the IRS, I'm sure we'll be good friends. Next time you're in LA, let me know what food you like."
Watching the old fox leave in a black Mercedes, Jack tidied up the place and drove to Zoe's house.
After their usual time together, Jack recounted the events to Zoe, though he withheld some details about the accountant's true identity, merely hinting at a gray background.
Zoe, aware of Jack's mysterious methods after multiple personal experiences, was nonetheless surprised that he had connected with a senior official in such a powerful department like the IRS so quickly. Especially when she heard about the nearly $300,000 reward, she was stunned.
"Cough, cough."
Annoyed by Jack's lack of decency, Zoe playfully punched him before going to the bathroom to rinse her mouth.
"How do you plan to find that IRS undercover agent?"
Snuggling into Jack's arms, Zoe lazily shifted to find the most comfortable position.
"Uh, isn't that why I came to you?"
Jack grinned, trying to appease her. His rough actions earlier had satisfied a man's desire for conquest, but he still needed to soothe his woman afterward.
"Let me think... How about Smitty?"
"Huh?" Jack was the one surprised this time. "Are you serious?"
Smitty was the most invisible figure in the Wilshire precinct. Even the perpetually stern-faced Inspector Gray couldn't do anything about him. This nearly 60-year-old man had moved into an RV in the precinct parking lot after countless marriages and divorces, just waiting to retire with a full pension.
"The IRS privately commissioned you. I can't mobilize the precinct's police force to help you find someone without raising questions. Smitty's beat includes the County Museum of Art. He's been patrolling there since he became a cop nineteen years ago. You might try bribing him a little."
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