Chapter 176 The Small-minded Thinking
Riley heard Jasper cursing in his room and couldn't help but shake his head, his sparse bangs swaying. "Watch your attitude! Who do you think you're yelling at?"
Jasper glanced at the disciplinary notice and stepped forward. "Director Sharp, isn't this punishment a bit too harsh? A public reprimand across the entire precinct is like stripping me naked and parading me through the streets."
"Who do you have to blame?" Riley shot back with a glare. "If you weren't greedy, would you be in this mess?"
Jasper was speechless.
"I've already tried to help you, but you got caught red-handed taking money," Riley said, spreading his chubby hands. "With such solid evidence, we have to be fair. There's nothing anyone can do."
Jasper held back his anger. "A public reprimand across the entire precinct, plus a two-year ban on any promotions. That means I have no chance of advancing before I'm forty!"
"And you still want to advance? Let me tell you, it's only because I pulled some strings that you're not out on the street right now," Riley scolded. "Keeping your job is the best outcome. Learn from this."
Jasper gritted his teeth but didn't argue.
"Go on." Riley waved his hand. "Hurry up and solve Zephyr's case. I'll have William and Adam get you something worthwhile. That's better than anything. As for your future, as long as you're alive, there's always hope."
Jasper took a moment and then then nodded. "Thank you, Director Sharp."
"Go on."
"Okay," Jasper responded, taking the disciplinary notice and leaving.
In the office area of the fourth team.
Alexander sat in a chair, arms crossed, and asked John, "I told you before, whenever we get a chance, we need to cultivate some informants. Some people on the ground know more than we do; otherwise, we'll be groping in the dark on every case."
"I'm working on it," John replied, drinking water. "I'm going to the prison to talk to a gun dealer. He's quite influential. I'll ask him about this Milo."
"Alright." Alexander nodded. "Take Elbert and Loren with you."
"Got it." John put down his water cup.
As they were chatting, Jasper slowly walked to the office area door, his eyes filled with anger as he stared at Alexander's back through the glass.
At this moment, his resentment was accumulated, blaming all his recent misfortunes on Alexander. He believed that his punishment was definitely Alexander's doing, causing him trouble.
That night.
Joe and his crew, bundled up like mummies, returned to Pine Street in the Welfare District, carrying simple luggage, and walked into Unit 8.
This building was directly opposite the one they previously lived in, separated only by a large open space and a three-story boiler room.
The five of them reached the seventh floor, opened the iron door on the left, and walked in leisurely.
Bishop took off his coat and yawned. "I'm going to read a novel and then sleep. Don't call me."
"Damn, all you do is reading novels all day. What can you possibly get out of it?" Rodolfo cursed, walking to the balcony and squinting at Unit 2, Room 606. "I bet the landlord renting out that place is in trouble, probably still being questioned by the police."
"He's just making money, so why should he be miserable?" Joe sat on the sofa, crossed his legs, and said brightly, "The police have already raided this place once; they won't come back. We can stay here until the New Year."
Rodolfo closed the window, turned around, and said, "Yeah, we rented this place before the one across. The landlord works in Stardust City, and the guy I found is reliable. No worries."
"Who's keeping watch over there?" Joe asked.
"Rex," Rodolfo responded casually.
"Just one more job," Joe said, pulling out a pack of cigarettes. "Once we finish it, we can take a break."
"Alright, I'll go relieve Rex in a bit," Rodolfo said, grabbing a can of beer from the bag. "I think the other side is about to go down."
"No need for surveillance tonight. Everyone should get some rest," Joe said, placing a bag with guns on the coffee table. "Check your own stuff."
The two new faces walked over, quietly picked up their guns and ammo, and sat on the sofa to inspect them.
In a village north of Pine City.
Duke sat on a shabby wooden bed, eating cold bread and drinking cold water, cursing, "Damn it, not only is Zephyr gone, but I also have to go on the run. Where's the justice in that?"
Milo, with a grim face, retorted angrily, "I've told you a thousand times, those thugs are not to be messed with, but you wouldn't listen. Now, because of eighty thousand dollars, you've blown this up. How are you going to fix it?"
Duke glanced at him but said nothing.
"What did I do? I was about to return the money to those thugs, but now I still have to run with you," Milo said bitterly, "I was stupid to help you in the first place."
"You wanted to make money too. What's the point of saying this now?" Duke retorted, looking displeased.
"Forget it, I'm not arguing with you," Milo said dejectedly, "I don't think we can stay in Pine City anymore. If it comes to it, I'll hide out at a friend's place in the planned area."
"Is it that serious?" Duke said dismissively, "The police will definitely investigate the cause, but Zephyr's dad won't let the gun-dealing come to light. So I think if we lay low for a while, things will blow over."
"How do you even think?" Milo said, exasperated, "Zephyr died because of you, understand? If the police find out the cause and know it was a gun deal gone wrong, Adam will be the first to take you out to keep you quiet, got it?"
Duke was stunned by this.
At the police station.
Jasper, having received severe punishment, was desperate to solve Zephyr's murder case quickly to please William and Adam and make up for his losses. So he didn't go home tonight and stayed in the office, going through the evidence collected from Room 606.
Around ten o'clock at night, Jasper was eating a late-night snack prepared by the cafeteria. He picked up an evidence bag and squinted at the small cards inside, asking, "What's this?"
"These were found in the second bedroom," a nearby officer replied softly, "They are contact details for several underground gambling companies. You can place bets online or by phone. They offer all kinds of gambling, from horse racing to lotteries."
Jasper ate while staring at the small cards, his brows furrowed.
The next afternoon.
Joe was lying on the bed, looking at his phone when it suddenly rang.
"Hello?"
"His car is heading to the destination," Rodolfo's voice came through.
Joe was stunned, then quickly sat up and shouted, "Everyone, get up! Put on your work clothes and get ready to move."
Seconds later, everyone in the inner room came out armed.
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