Headed southwest on Route 29, Saul is leaving while Mackintosh is en route as well. The vehicles behind don't need to follow too closely; those in front should proceed to Highway 14 and wait there.
Armstrong, with a map of Trenton spread out before him, listens intently to the reports coming through his earphones. He swipes the map back and forth, calculating possible travel routes for both Saul and Mackintosh to facilitate their plans.
This isn't the first time the two have met in secret, and their meeting locations are never fixed.
"Boss, take a look at what we got today," Armstrong said, presenting a stack of photos and a video tape.
Sean examined the tape, which contained footage of the meeting between Saul and Mackintosh, the Trenton police chief. The images were clear enough to show Saul and Mackintosh standing by a car, while someone transferred a package from the trunk of Mackintosh's vehicle to Saul's.
Zooming in on the photo, Sean noticed the package was sealed tightly in a black plastic bag, obscuring its contents. After a brief conversation, both men got into their cars and drove away.
The same scene was captured on the video, albeit from a distance. However, combined with previous wiretap recordings, it was evident that the transaction involved drugs confiscated by the police the day before.
"How did you manage to get that phone recording?" Sean asked with a smile.
"We bugged the Chief of Police's office," Armstrong replied proudly.
"Damn! You guys are ruthless!" Sean exclaimed, giving a thumbs up.
"It's not that hard. People think police stations are heavily guarded, but they're actually quite lax. You can waltz in wearing a police uniform, and no one bats an eye," Armstrong chuckled.
Sean nodded, recalling his own experiences at the police station. "Yeah, it's a mess in there."
"Why is there no sound in this segment?" Sean pointed to the video.
"There was no way to get close enough. Both of them are too clever; they drove around the city in circles," Armstrong shrugged.
"Still, this is enough. I'm satisfied with the recordings, photos, and videos we have," Sean replied, feeling confident about the evidence collected.
A photo at the beginning can be fabricated; it's the evidence in hand that counts. "Anyway, this isn't going to court, so no one cares whether it's admissible as evidence. Print more copies and attach the information about both of them. Just don't reveal everything at once; let's start with the photos."
The New York Times Headquarters
The Editor-in-Chief received a letter today from an anonymous sender, which contained photos and details that warranted attention. The secretary placed the items on the editor's desk.
The documents and images detailed the identities and backgrounds of Saul and Mackintosh, along with their illicit transactions.
The editor was not surprised; such occurrences were common, though evidence was often scarce. He picked up the last piece of paper and wrote a note: "These materials have been sent to major newspapers including the New York Times, Washington Post, and Chicago Tribune. Additionally, we possess audio and video recordings."
This simple statement carried significant implications. Even if the New York Times chose not to report on the matter, other major publications would likely jump at the opportunity. Unless Saul had the means to silence the national media, this story was bound to make headlines.
With this in mind, the editor stood up, clutching the photos as he made his way outside. "We have obtained evidence that the police chief of Trenton, New Jersey, has colluded with drug criminals, returning seized drugs to offenders!"
"These corrupt officials are leeching off taxpayers while enriching themselves! We must expose this corruption in our nation!"
As the voice of the public, the editor vowed to unveil the truth, ensuring that this behavior would not go unchecked.
The next day, as Mackintosh arrived at the police station, he sensed something was off. Colleagues shot him strange looks, and someone rushed up to him.
"My God, why didn't you answer your phone?!"
Mackintosh shrugged nonchalantly, "Maybe the battery died. What's the big deal?"
"Take a look at this," the colleague urged, handing him a newspaper displaying a large photo of him. The headlines screamed: "Police Chief Exposed as Drug Kingpin!" and "What's Happening to Our Nation's Police?"
Reading the sensationalized articles, Mackintosh felt the blood drain from his face. "This is just a rumor! I only met Saul by chance!" He stammered, his hands trembling.
"Do you think anyone will believe that?" the colleague retorted, but stopped short of saying more.
The phone on Mackintosh's desk rang; it was the mayor, and he was furious. The fallout from this scandal could engulf many people, and whispers of what was going on circulated quickly.
Meanwhile, Sean released more video footage and photos to the media, ensuring the story-maintained momentum. He knew that to generate significant buzz, the evidence had to be unveiled gradually, keeping public interest piqued.
As the recorded conversations began to surface in the press, Mackintosh could no longer bear the mounting pressure. He understood that while the legality of the recordings might be questionable, the truth was evident to everyone. Public outrage surged, and Mackintosh faced immense scrutiny, ultimately leading him to resign in an effort to quell the scandal.
Despite his reluctance to step down, many believed his resignation was necessary to prevent further harm to the department and its reputation. This incident also prompted investigations into Saul, causing ripples throughout the political landscape.
In the aftermath, the fallout affected many businesses tied to Mackintosh and his allies, forcing them to adopt a more cautious approach. The once confident and untouchable figures in power found themselves on shaky ground, as the truth began to unravel their carefully constructed facades.