Chapter 199 Completely Confessed
William slipped into the room without bothering to flip the light switch. He grabbed a chair, sat next to Rodolfo, and popped a cigarette into Rodolfo's mouth, lighting it for him.
Rodolfo took a deep drag, and a spark of life flickered in his eyes.
"I lock you up for a day, you hate me; three days, you wanna kill me; six months, and you're grateful," William said, lighting his own cigarette. "People change with circumstances."
Rodolfo kept his head down, silent.
"Whether you live or die doesn't matter to me or Adam," William said, flicking ash from his cigarette. "Everyone's on edge. Let's just get this over with."
"What... what do you want to know?"
"Why did you kill Hubert?" William asked, turning to face him.
Rodolfo paused. "Someone wants to take Adam down."
"Who?" William pressed.
Rodolfo's hand shook as he stubbed out his cigarette. "A few months ago, after Joe brought us back from River State, he started plotting against Adam. The plan was to get him on the police radar and attract attention from higher-ups."
"So, was Zephyr's death part of the plan?"
"He was an idiot," Rodolfo muttered. "We gave Duke the goods to connect with their gun-running team and then expose them. But Duke withheld payment, and Zephyr slapped Joe in public. He was asking for it."
"That makes sense. Go on."
"After Zephyr died, it turned into a payment dispute, leading to a death. This didn't meet our goal, so Joe went after Hubert to fully expose the Wilde family's gun-running to the cops," Rodolfo said, tossing his cigarette away.
"So, the person targeting Adam is pretty influential in Pine City?" William asked.
"I don't know who it is," Rodolfo shook his head.
William frowned but stayed silent.
"I really don't know," Rodolfo insisted, his voice urgent. "We just followed Joe's orders, did the work, and split the money. We never asked who we were working for. Knowing more would only cause trouble."
"You spend all your time with him and know nothing?" William asked.
"Well, I do know a bit." Rodolfo looked up. "Joe mentioned two things."
"What are they?"
"He said after this job, we might not leave Pine City and would have some business here. And once, I overheard him on the phone, talking about Adam. It seemed like Joe was asking if Adam was still running for re-election as chief councilman and when they should act."
William was stunned. "Are you sure?"
"Yes." Rodolfo nodded.
William thought for a moment. "What's Joe's full name?"
"Joe Walker, but don't bother looking for him. You won't find him," Rodolfo shook his head. "He has no identity."
"Where do you think Joe and his people are now?"
"When we first got to Pine City, a man picked us up. He was about forty-two or forty-three, bald, around 5'7". His left hand was disabled; he couldn't extend his fingers," Rodolfo replied truthfully. "That's all I know."
William pulled out a pack of cigarettes. "If you see this man again, can you recognize him?"
"Yeah." Rodolfo nodded.
William placed the pack of cigarettes and a lighter in front of Rodolfo, stood up, and called out, "Get him something to eat and let him sleep. No one is to disturb him."
With that, William strode out of the room.
"Wait... wait a minute," Rodolfo called out.
William stopped and turned around.
Rodolfo's eyes were bloodshot, and he looked anxious and uneasy. After a moment of silence, he asked, "Will... Will I still be alive?"
In just three days, a hardened criminal who had contemplated suicide multiple times was now as vulnerable as any ordinary person.
---
In the hospital room.
After finishing their meal, Emily tidied up the bedside table and went downstairs to throw out the trash.
By the bed, Andrew patted his stomach and burped, asking Alexander, "I just got back and don't know anything. Can you give me some direction?"
Alexander took a puff from his e-cigarette, staring at the ceiling. "Duke and Milo are dead, and our evidence chain is missing a link. Go back and interrogate the two punks we caught at the Wilde family warehouse. Try to find out where the Wilde family gets their goods. Once we trace the entire supply chain, we're done."
"Do you think those two punks know anything?"
"We don't have any other leads right now," Alexander said helplessly, "You have to start small and work your way up."
"Got it." Andrew nodded.
"Did he come back with you?" Alexander asked, changing the subject.
"Yeah, he's outside the district." Andrew frowned. "Didn't you tell him not to come in yet because you had other plans?"
"Right, tell him to stay out for now." Alexander nodded.
"Okay, I'll take Emily home first and then head back to the station," Andrew said, grabbing his coat.
"Why do you have to get involved in everything?" Alexander scolded, "Don't be a fool."
Andrew paused. "You're too protective. Can't I just be nice and give her a ride?"
"Do you think I don't know what you're up to?" Alexander asked, giving him a sidelong glance.
"And do you think I don't know what you're up to?" Andrew retorted.
Emily walked in, shaking water off her hands, and asked, "You two stop bickering like children."
"Emily, do you need a ride home?" Andrew asked.
Emily was taken aback. "I'm not going home. I'm staying at a friend's place."
Andrew hesitated. "Then let me give you a ride to your friend's place."
"She's already here to pick me up," Emily said with a smile. "She's downstairs."
"Then...let's go downstairs together."
Emily walked to the bed, picked up her coat, and turned to Alexander. "I'm leaving now."
Alexander blinked, a bit entranced, and grabbed Emily's slender wrist. "Stay...stay a little longer!"
Emily pinched the back of Alexander's hand and asked with a smile. "Stay for what? To give you an IV?"
"Stop pinching, just... Go."
"Bye-bye," Emily said, turning to leave.
---
A few minutes later, downstairs.
Andrew was talking non-stop to Emily. "A director recently made a film about the history of District Seven. It's really profound. Emily, do you have plans? If not, I could take you to see it. It's a long night, and it's a bit early to go to bed now. look, women..."
"Emily, over here," Abigail called from the car.
Andrew looked up.
In the light, a beautiful woman with a cute face and a red wool hat dusted with snow looked like she had stepped out of a fairy tale.
"I'm leaving now," Emily said, stepping down the stairs.
Andrew grabbed her and stared at Abigail. "Emily... Aren't you going to introduce me to your friend?"
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