Chapter 15 Stop Messing with Me from Now On
The next day, at 8:30 in the morning.
William sat in his private office, smiling at Alexander and said, "No need for pleasantries. Everyone involved in the case last night gets a $45 allowance taken from the team funds."
Alexander was momentarily stunned, then immediately gave a thumbs-up. "That's great."
"Get on with the interrogation. I'm waiting for the results," William demanded.
"Got it." Alexander nodded. "If there's nothing else, I'll head out."
"Wait a moment." William opened his small cabinet, took out a new pair of leather boots, and asked, "What's your shoe size?"
"Size 10," Alexander replied.
"Perfect, we have the same size feet." William placed the shoebox on the table. "A friend gave these to me, but I haven't worn them. You take them."
"These are pretty expensive," Alexander declined.
"A pair of shoes is nothing." William waved his hand. "Take them."
Alexander glanced at the shoebox, suddenly feeling that William's generosity was not just talk. Because as long as he did your part, William would always strive to get you the benefits you deserved.
"Thank you, William."
"Go on." William smiled.
"Alright!" Alexander left with the shoebox.
Over the next two days, the team members put all their energy into the interrogation work. But to Alexander's surprise, Daniel and Robert didn't reveal any useful information. Although the two accomplices had talked, these two either played dumb or kept silent.
Interrogation wasn't Alexander's strong suit because this wasn't the anarchic district where many of his techniques and experiences were applicable. When it came to pure interrogation experience, other team members were more seasoned. So Alexander handed the task over to Richard, Matthew, and others while he waited for clues and results.
Thursday afternoon, around 3 PM.
Alexander was sitting in the office chatting with Eric, Richard, Thomas, and others when John swaggered back in after having a few drinks.
"Not interrogating? All taking a break?" John asked with a grin, reeking of alcohol.
"Yeah, just taking a short break." Alexander nodded.
John habitually patted Alexander on the head. "Move over a bit."
Alexander smiled and shifted in his seat. "Stop messing with me. Why do you always pat my head?"
"What's wrong with patting your head? You're about to get promoted, and you're getting arrogant," John teased.
"Why are you drinking during work hours again?" Alexander asked casually, "Even if your body can handle it, your wallet can't. Drinking is expensive!"
"I can't help it," John replied, crossing his legs, "My family is pushing me to get married. They introduced me to a woman, and I had a drink with her."
Alexander nodded, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it.
John was taken aback, then angrily said, "Didn't you say you were out of cigarettes? How can you hide them from me? Give me one."
"That's the last one," Alexander replied, taking a puff.
"Don't bully the team leader. These cigarettes are expensive," Matthew joked with John, then reached out with a smile. "But I'm different. I made a breakthrough today, so you should give me one as a reward."
If no one was willing to joke around, the team members might not actively interact with Alexander. However, with John always joking with Alexander, everyone felt more comfortable talking and joking in any situation.
"Really, that's the last one." Alexander pushed John away. "I only had this one."
"Don't be stingy, give me one." John grabbed Alexander's wrist.
"Alexander, don't be stingy. Share with everyone. Half a cigarette each will do." Richard joined in.
"Really, that's the last one." Alexander leaned back in his chair, dodging.
"Grab him!" John, reeking of alcohol, held Alexander's arms and shouted, "Hold him down, get the cigarettes from his pocket, and share them. This guy doesn't know the rules, being so stingy as a newcomer."
"John, stop messing with me. I really don't have anymore." Alexander laughed.
"Come on, hold him down, Thomas, hold his legs," John continued to call out.
The atmosphere heated up. All the team members, except for Eric and the injured Niroshtan brothers, rushed to the chair, holding Alexander down to grab the cigarettes.
"Stop it. I really don't have anymore." Alexander laughed as he tussled with everyone while the strong guys, following John's lead, continued to mess with Alexander.
"This is ridiculous, acting like you've never smoked before." Eric laughed as he got up to get some water.
"I can't believe this. Give it up." John held Alexander's arms and reached for his pocket.
At that moment, Alexander suddenly grabbed the police knife on the desk, pinching the blade between his thumb and forefinger, and thrust it down.
With one stab, John froze in place.
"Stop messing with me, or I'll stab you." Alexander laughed, holding the knife, and thrust it again at John's leg.
With the second stab, John stepped back two steps.
Seeing the blood, everyone froze, and Eric looked at Alexander in shock.
"What's wrong? Did I really stab you? I was just pretending." Alexander pretended to be surprised and then stood up. He looked at the wound on John's leg, and asked, "Are you okay?"
John, in pain, got a bit angry and pushed Alexander. "Are you kidding me with a knife?"
Alexander looked up, still smiling. "I told you not to mess with me. I might lose control, and now, you see, I stabbed you."
Everyone in the room fell silent, their playful expressions replaced with seriousness as they looked at Alexander.
"Don't mess with me again, got it?" Alexander put down the knife, helped John up, and said, "Let's go. Get to the medical room."
John hesitated for a moment, then followed Alexander to the medical room without saying another word.
After this incident, no one in Group 3 dared to joke excessively with Alexander, including John. No one treated him as a new officer anymore.
As an observer, Eric realized how Alexander handled John and thought that Alexander might be thinking about something entirely different while chatting and laughing. You might think you were friend with Alexander, but he could show you when you've crossed the line in an unexpected way while still saving your face. Eric also recalled that David, who used to be domineering, hadn't caused Alexander any trouble since the kidnapping case. This indicated that Alexander had dealt with him privately as well.
From that moment, Eric realized that someone like Alexander might be the only one who could thrive in such a complex environment.
He was bold, meticulous, understanding, and worldly.
After over a decade of honing his skills in the unregulated zone, perhaps this was his chance to succeed here.
After parting ways with John at the medical room, Alexander remembered he had rented a place but hadn't had time to visit due to his busy schedule. So he called Andrew and headed to 88th Street.
Meanwhile,in a warehouse on Maple Street, an elderly man in his sixties, leaning on a cane, said, "I never heard of Alexander before?"
"I looked into it.He's new," he added.
"Just arrived and already caught Robert and Daniel. He must have someone backing him, right?" The old man pondered for a moment, then instructed, "Take some people and find Alexander."
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