Chapter 30 A Bowl of Pasta

Five minutes later.

 

Ava went to sleep in the room with Eric's mother and sister, while Eric took Paul into his own room.

 

"Living the good life, huh? Even got married." Paul turned his head to look around the room and sat on the bed.

 

Eric glared, clenching his fists as he looked at Paul. "If you want to die, go somewhere else. Why come back to Pine City? Do you know I almost got fired because of you?"

 

Paul's real name was Paul Daniel, and he was Eric's older brother, but they were completely different in character. Eric was more conservative and preferred to keep up with the times, while Paul always liked to take risks, often wandering away from home for long periods.

 

Paul left two years ago and hadn't contacted the family since, so Eric sometimes thought he had died out there. But to his surprise, during an arrest, he saw Paul again. Although their relationship wasn't harmonious, Eric couldn't bring himself to shoot his own brother to make a name for himself.

 

This was something he couldn't tell anyone, so Eric had been feeling down and worried about Paul's safety these past few days.

 

Paul lazily took out a pack of high-end cigarettes, lit one, and said, "Honestly, I didn't want to run into you either. If it weren't for that day, I might not have come home today."

 

"Yeah, you fill your own belly outside and don't care about anything else. When have you ever cared about the family?" Eric gritted his teeth and asked, "Why did you come back? Do you know if people outside find out about our relationship, you'll get me killed?"

 

"Aren't you living just fine?" Paul asked.

 

"Bullshit!" Eric shouted.

 

"Don't worry, even if a thousand guns were pointed at my head, I wouldn't betray you." Paul always had a nonchalant attitude. "I've been here for several days, and no one is watching the house. And if I hadn't been caught, they wouldn't know about our relationship. Didn't you leave out that we were brothers when you joined the police department?"

 

"I just don't get it. There are plenty of ways to make money. Why did you choose this path?" Eric clenched his fists and shouted in confusion, "Do you know that the pharmaceutical companies are pressuring the police department, and the police department is pressuring us? The entire Pine City judicial system is watching you, trying to figure out where your goods come from. If you get caught, there's no way out. You'll die."

 

"I know." Paul said.

 

"Then why do it?" Eric asked.

 

"If I don't, what should I do? Live a miserable life like you?" Paul retorted.

 

"I'm miserable? I may be miserable outside but for the family..." Eric was so agitated he seemed ready to fight.

 

Hearing this, Paul frowned slightly, lowered his head, and interrupted in a hoarse voice, "Yes, I admit you are more responsible for the family than I am."

 

Eric was speechless.

 

"I'm hungry. Do you have anything to eat? Make me something." Paul looked up and smiled.

 

Eric hesitated for a moment, sighed deeply, and walked out of the room.

 

At the police department.

 

William poured Alexander a glass of water before sitting on the couch and saying, "Did the captured drug dealers reveal Paul's specific activities?"

 

Alexander shook his head. "They did, but they all think Paul has already run away and is no longer in Pine City."

 

"These thugs are risking their lives to make money. They know their fate, so they wouldn't talk nonsense." William smiled, crossed his legs, and said, "But fortunately, I have some news."

 

Alexander was taken aback. "You have a lead?"

 

"Yes." William turned his head and quietly narrated, "I have some friends in society who rely on me, and I provide them with certain conveniences, so they support me. The drug trafficking gang is mainly led by the Anderson family, and Paul cooperates with them."

 

"I know that." Alexander nodded.

 

"There's a guy named Edward Clark in the Black Street District who deals in guns. We get along well. He called me during dinner and said someone wants to use his smuggling channel to get someone out of the Ninth District," William said calmly, "I asked him to find out more, and he told me that the person seeking his help is closely connected to Benjamin."

 

Alexander was taken aback. "Could the person being sent be Paul?"

 

"There's an eighty percent chance it's him." William nodded. "If it were just an insignificant person, Benjamin would talk to Edward. There's no need to use a middleman, you understand?"

 

"That makes sense," Alexander said.

 

"I had Edward agree to their request. Benjamin will probably arrange for Paul to leave soon." William smiled at Alexander and said, "I'll give you the lead, and you handle the case. This time, you must catch Paul and find out his supply chain."

 

Alexander was a bit stunned and didn't respond immediately.

 

"What's wrong?" William asked.

 

Alexander hesitated for a while, then smiled and asked, "c, I've always been puzzled about something."

 

"Go ahead," Alexander said.

 

"I'm a bit flattered. I don't understand why you're giving me such a good opportunity." Alexander asked bluntly, "You've found such an important lead. Why not let someone else handle it or do it yourself? This is a big achievement."

 

William stared at Alexander for a few seconds, then suddenly stood up. Pointing at his cheek, he said, "Because this year, I want you to get promoted."

 

Alexander looked puzzled. "Why, William?"

 

"Because by the end of the year, I'll be promoted to deputy director, and I need my own team. And I can tell at a glance who in the team is capable and who isn't." William walked around the room, speaking confidently, "I'm planning to promote three team leaders, not just you but others as well."

 

Alexander stood with his hands clasped, still not responding.

 

"Alexander, don't you get it yet?" William walked to the front of the couch, patted Alexander's shoulder, and said with a smile, " Because you're new and not associated with anyone with clean background, and you're capable. I trust you."

 

Alexander was stunned for a while. "William, now I understand."

 

"The Paul case is yours. If you handle it well, I'll let you lead the First Team by the end of the year." William stood up, holding his water cup, and added. "Do a good job, Alexander. My team is the most stable in the police department."

 

"Thank you, William!" Alexander stood up and saluted, but his mind was racing, thinking about other things.

 

At Eric's house.

 

Paul sat by the shabby wooden table, eating a bowl of plain pasta without sauce, and said, "You eat this every day?"

 

"Better than eating crap." Eric smoked, looking down.

 

"Alright." Paul sighed, quietly finished his pasta, wiped his mouth, and asked, "Is Mom asleep?"

 

"She went to bed early," Eric replied.

 

"I'll go to the window and take a look." Paul got up and walked outside.

 

Eric hesitated for a moment and followed him out.

 

Outside the opposite room, Paul stood by the window, his cheek pressed against the cold glass, looking at his mother lying on the bed inside.

 

Eric stood behind, smoking silently.

 

"How's Mom's illness?" Paul asked, his voice trembling.

 

"Not good." Eric shook his head.

 

Paul was silent for a few seconds. "That's fate, a damn fate. Knowing God doesn't help."

 

"Can't you say something nice?" Eric was agitated.

 

"Don't shout. She might hear." Paul quickly wiped his eyes and took out a small package from his pocket.

 

Eric was stunned.

 

"Here's $1500. Take it," Paul said.

 

"You made so much money," Eric exclaimed.

 

"The drug business just started. Otherwise, I would have sent money home long ago. This is what I've saved. Use $1000 for Mom. Whether she survives is her fate, but as her children, we must do our best. Use the rest for daily expenses." Paul was calm. "If I manage to escape this time, there will be more money in the future. I'll send it to you bit by bit."

 

Eric hesitated, looking at Paul.

 

"This is my duty. Don't think too much about it." Paul forcibly put the money into Eric's hand, lit a cigarette, and said, "Eric, after leaving this time, who knows if we'll meet again? Take care of the family. In some things, I'm not as good as you."

 

After a moment of silence, Paul glanced inside again and decisively turned to leave.

 

Eric held the small package, stood there for a long time, and said, "Can you really get out? If not, let me help you. I'll find a way to get you out."

 

Paul stopped at the door, turned back, and said, "No matter who asks, never admit our relationship. From today, consider me dead. Take care of Mom and our little sister."

 

Eric's eyes reddened instantly.

 

"If one day you're desperate and can't go on, there's a contact in the package. Find him. He can help you." Paul waved to Eric. "I'm leaving."

 

Late at night, tiny snowflakes began to fall from the sky.

 

After walking nearly a mile, Paul suddenly turned around, tears streaming down his face as he looked in the direction of home. He suddenly knelt on the ground, his voice trembling as he apologized, "Mom, I am a failure. If I die, I'll be a better son in the next life."

 

Inside.

 

Eric sat in a chair, smoking blankly, filled with worry. Though he and Paul had different personalities, they shared the same family. Their seemingly indifferent relationship was full of unspoken familial love.

 

He prayed that Paul could overcome this crisis.However, little did he know that a storm that would change everything was about to follow after this meeting, altering the fate of many.

 

Half a month later.

 

Alexander received a call from William, informing him that Edward had received information that Benjamin had arranged for someone to send Paul out of the country the next night. A life-and-death capture was imminent.