Chapter 27 Step Forward
In the courtyard of No. 88.
As soon as the little boy rushed out, a woman behind him grabbed his collar and pulled him back into the inner courtyard. "Hurry up and close the door. Don't meddle."
Alexander recognized from inside the house that the woman pulling the boy back was the landlady.
In the yard, the leader of the thugs glanced at the inner courtyard with a crooked neck and laughed at Emily. "See that? Nowadays, people avoid trouble when they see it. Do you think shouting will get you help? Dream on!"
Emily retreated to the doorway, her eyes darting between the three thugs, and said pitifully, "Sir, the camera really isn't with me. I've already handed it over. Please don't make things hard for me..."
The thug with the crooked neck stepped forward and grabbed Emily's black hair. "Why do you lie, girl? I came because I'm sure the thing is with you!"
Emily pounded her heart as she looked at the thug's pockmarked face and malicious eyes. "The camera really isn't..."
The thug instantly lost his patience and slammed Emily's head against the door frame. "Are you going to talk or not?"
Emily was stunned by the sudden attack.
"Kenneth Martinez, drag her inside. I'll communicate with her another way," the thug demanded.
"What are you doing?" Emily asked.
"Let's see if you'll hand over the camera!" The thug on the left stepped forward, grabbing Emily and kicking the door to drag her inside.
At this moment, the door opposite opened, and Alexander stepped out. "What's going on here, bullying a girl?"
Hearing his voice, Emily looked up in surprise and shouted, "Brother,help me."
Alexander, naturally aloof, didn't want to meddle, but these men were clearly not going to stop. If things got out of hand, Emily would report it. Since he lived in this courtyard, it would be hard to avoid involvement. Plus, Alexander knew Emily had some background and didn't want bigger trouble, so he spoke up.
"Who are you?" the lead thug turned and asked.
"I'm with the police, and I live here," Alexander said, standing at the door. "It's late. If you have business, settle it later. Don't make trouble here."
"A cop?" The thug was taken aback. "Which police department?"
Alexander didn't answer, "I said let her go."
"You talk tough." the thug frowned. "This has nothing to do with you. Go back inside."
Ignoring Alexander, the thug pulled Emily and shouted, "I'll ask you one last time. Will you give me the camera?"
"I told you, the camera..." Before Emily could finish, Alexander stepped forward and grabbed the thug's wrist. "Buddy, don't make trouble here."
The thug turned his stern face. "I'm George Robinson from Maple Street. If you don't know me, ask your police department."
Alexander frowned.
"Get lost." George shrugged his arm.
Alexander's grip on George's wrist was like a vice. "Stop right now!"
George turned suddenly and punched Alexander in the chest. "As a cop, you don't know your place?"
Alexander stood still, silent.
George slapped Alexander's head. "What are you trying to do? Enforce the law? Come on, try arresting me..."
Alexander suddenly grabbed George's arm with his left hand and swept his right leg low to the ground.
George fell instantly.
"George, right?" Alexander lowered his head and kicked George's head three times, sending him rolling down the steps.
The thugs on either side drew knives from their waists, showing no concern for Alexander's identity, and moved to stab him.
Alexander swiftly pulled a gun from George, cocked it, and aimed at the thug on the right. "You point a knife at a cop. Do you believe I'll shoot you dead?"
"You wouldn't dare..." the thug added.
A gunshot rang out.
Emily crouched, covering her head in fear.
The bullet grazed the right thug's cheek, leaving him stunned.
"Why are you flinching?" Alexander glared. "Come on, stand still. I'll shoot you point-blank."
The two thugs froze, unsure of Alexander's intentions.
On the ground, George shook his head and shouted, "Kenneth, call for backup."
Alexander struck George's head with the gun butt seven or eight times, "Isn't one gun enough for three guys? If you can't stand, don't act tough with me."
George, bleeding from his head, slumped by the door, dazed.
"Kneel down!" Alexander ordered the other two, who exchanged glances and reluctantly squatted on the steps.
Alexander quickly thought it over and said to Emily, "Go to my room and get the phone."
Emily, still crouching, didn't dare move.
Alexander kicked her. "Can you just cause trouble but can't handle it? Go get the phone. It's on the bedside table."
Emily shook off her reverie and returned to her senses. She turned and ran to Alexander's room, fetched the phone, and returned.
Alexander held the gun in one hand and dialed John from the police department with the other. "Caught three suspects. Come pick them up."
Hearing this, George looked up and cursed, "Bastard, are you serious?"
Alexander raised the gun butt, ready to strike.
George instinctively shrank back in silence, waiting for the police officers to arrive.
Beside him, Alexander pulled Emily aside and asked, "Why do you keep causing trouble? What do they want from you?"
"...I... I took some photos of them." Emily blinked. "It's my job."
"What did you photograph?" Alexander asked.
"They're hiking up drug prices in the slums and selling fake meds. I caught it on camera." Emily hesitated before honestly replying.
Hearing this, Alexander sank his heart. "Are they selling fake meds, too?"
"Yeah, I've been following them for days. They robbed my camera last time." Emily nodded. "These scumbags are heartless, exploiting the crackdown to hike prices. Those in the slums can't afford meds, so they're forced to sell their organs."
Alexander fell into deep thought.
Half an hour later.
When John from the police department arrived, he saw George and was surprised. "George, what are you doing here?"
"John?" George, seeing a familiar face, perked up and said to John, "Let me make a call."
Alexander walked over and asked John, "You know him?"
"Why would you arrest him? He's William's friend," John replied quietly.
"Bastard, I'll make sure you lose your badge today." George, wiping the blood from his face, walked aside with the phone and dialed William's number.
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