Chapter 33 Once You Leave, I'll Find Someone to Take Care of You

Alexander, after quickly gulping down a bite in the cafeteria, immediately rushed to the interrogation room. Meanwhile, William was already driving Samuel to the police station.

 

In the dimly lit interrogation room, Paul sat lazily on the iron chair, fiddling with the shackles in his hands.

 

"Shall we start?" Alexander took a sip of water and casually hung his badge on his chest. "My name is Alexander. I'm the head of the third team of the first investigation team, and I am responsible for your case."

 

Paul squinted at Alexander. "I know you."

 

"You know me?" Alexander was puzzled. "How come I don't know that?"

 

"I know you through a friend," Paul replied with a smile, "But you probably haven't seen me."

 

Paul wasn't lying. He had indeed seen Alexander before. He had secretly watched Eric several times before leaving and noticed Alexander's interactions with Eric, observing their seemingly good relationship.

 

"Paul, the key to your case isn't who you know but the value of your testimony, which will determine the outcome," Alexander said pragmatically, changing the subject. "Among those arrested, you're the key figure. If you don't give up someone more important, you'll be nailed as the main culprit. By then, even if you're related to the mayor, no one can help you."

 

Paul smiled at Alexander. "Come on, grab a chair and sit next to me."

 

Alexander hesitated for a moment.

 

"Aren't we going to chat? Let's get closer," Paul said, shaking the shackles on his hands and making a clattering sound as he gestured to Alexander.

 

"Alright, let's chat," Alexander agreed, pulling a chair next to Paul and sitting down. "Let's begin."

 

"Actually, even if I hadn't met you through that friend, I know your name," Paul said with a smile, "Aren't you called Alexander?"

 

Alexander frowned for a couple of seconds. "Did Benjamin tell you?"

 

"No," Paul pointed at Alexander with a playful expression. "It's the drug dealers who work for me. They've all heard of you. They talk about you all the time."

 

"Talk about me?" Alexander raised an eyebrow.

 

"Yeah, do you know what they say about you?" Paul asked, baring his teeth.

 

"What?" Alexander asked.

 

"They've been nagging me about how to kill you immediately," Paul said.

 

Alexander was stunned.

 

Paul glanced at the camera from the corner of his eye, lowered his voice a bit more, and patted Alexander's arm with the back of his hand. "Alexander, do you really think William gave you this case to help you get promoted just because he likes you and admires you?"

 

Alexander sneered, "Nice, trying to sow discord even while sitting here."

 

"You're as naive as a child," Paul said, shaking his head. "In the first team, William has many more experienced subordinates than you. Why did he give you such a high-profile case? You two aren't related by blood."

 

"Then why do you think he gave me this case?" Alexander asked.

 

"Because you're naive, hungry for success. If you want to make a name for yourself here, you have to fight for it. Because you're new without connections, when handling cases, you don't owe anyone any favors. You're not burdened by personal feelings," Paul said with a smile. "Why suddenly crack down on us drug dealers? And why is William so focused on the Anderson family?"

 

Alexander fell silent again.

 

"There's another batch of drug dealers in the Black Street District, secretly selling small quantities at twice our price. Have you heard about them?" Paul asked.

 

Alexander was taken aback, suddenly recalling Emily's recent encounter and the 'broad-minded' George.

 

"Alexander, there's no such thing as unconditional love. From your perspective, he seems to treat you well, but from another angle, you're just a tool being used!" Paul said, tilting his head to look at Alexander. "You know what happens to tools that are used, right?"

 

Alexander took a deep breath and gave a thumbs-up. "A convincing argument."

 

"You know best what's on your mind," Paul said softly, lowering his head. "I'm telling you this because you helped my friend."

 

Alexander only listened to Paul's words because he had already suspected that William's recognition of him within the police department was not without reason. But Alexander thought that whether William wanted to use his hunger for success or his anonymity in Pine City as a sharp tool, it didn't matter. Alexander wasn't a child. He knew he had no background or backing. If he wanted to survive in this chaotic environment, he had to be willing to risk his life at critical moments.

 

But Alexander hadn't realized how complicated the drug trade was. While he was cracking down on the Anderson family, another group was secretly dealing drugs, possibly connected to William!

 

If Paul was telling the truth, things might not be as simple as he thought.

 

"I am a man on the brink of death. There's no need to lie to you," Paul said, lowering his head. "I don't know much about your background, but I heard you came from the anarchic district. Alexander, it's not easy to get to where you are with nothing. Don't die for someone else's gain."

 

Alexander looked at Paul and suddenly asked, "You and the Anderson family almost monopolized Pine City's underground drug market. But I don't understand why were your prices so low. What's the point? Trying to save the world?"

 

"I only thought about the folks in the Black Street District struggling to survive after I had enough to eat," Paul replied with a smile. "My dad died because we couldn't afford treatment, and my mom might die the same way. When I first came to the Ninth District, I had no job and survived by eating at others' places. Now that I have some ability, I want to make money and help them along the way. No one can live long in this business. If I make some money today, it's enough for today. "

 

At this point, lying was pointless. Alexander looked at Paul's once vicious face and suddenly didn't find him so detestable.

 

The two fell silent, and Alexander felt a bit confused. Despite his caution, he still couldn't grasp the complex situation in Pine City.

 

Just as they fell silent, the door to the interrogation room suddenly opened.

 

Eric stood outside, smiling. "Interrogating?"

 

Paul immediately looked up at the sound of Eric, his previously indifferent expression turning to one of surprise.

 

"What are you doing here?" Alexander asked, turning around.

 

"I came to ask about the equipment you checked out. Can it be returned? How much damage is there?" Eric responded calmly. "You're pulling an all-nighter, but I have to write a report for the morning shift!"

 

"Alright!" Alexander nodded, standing up. "The damage is significant. I'll have someone write up a report for you."

 

"Okay!" Eric replied, turning to Paul and cursing, "You finally got caught."

 

Paul was stunned, sweat beading on his forehead.

 

"He needs to be transferred to the high-security prison, right?" Eric asked Alexander.

 

"Yes, after the interrogation." Alexander nodded.

 

"I almost got fired because of you!" Eric said, pointing at Paul with a smile. "Don't worry. Once you're out of this room, I'll have someone take good care of you inside!"

 

Alexander found this statement odd.

 

Paul, after a moment, responded aggressively, "I'm in here, but my brothers aren't. If you mess with me, who will take care of your family?"

 

"Just wait," Eric sneered, turning to Alexander. "You take care of him. I'm leaving."

 

Alexander stared at Eric for a moment before responding, "Let's go. I'll write up the report for you."

 

"Alright, let's go!" Eric said, stepping aside.

 

As they left the interrogation room, four armed officers took positions at the door and locked it.

 

In the narrow hallway, Eric, hands behind his back, said with a smile, "You can just have someone write up the report. You're a team leader now and don't need to do it yourself."

 

"Are you testing me?" Alexander suddenly turned and asked.

 

Eric froze, his expression stiffening. "What's wrong? What test?"

 

"Do you know Paul?" Alexander asked with a stern face.

 

"That's nonsense. How could I know him?" Eric said.

 

"Paul said he knows me through a friend. But in the police department, I only hang out with you and Andrew. Everyone else is just a colleague!" Alexander's eyes gleamed as he looked at Eric. "Your reaction at the cafeteria was off. And in the room, you spoke too much to Paul!"

 

"Have you gone mad from solving cases?" Eric laughed. "That's not true."

 

"You want to save him. You didn't come here for the report but to check the situation, right?"

 

"Alexander, I think you..." Eric added.

 

Before he could finish, Alexander suddenly reached for Eric's waist. Eric instinctively dodged, his face turning pale as he looked at Alexander. "What are you doing?"

 

"When on duty, you usually lock your gun in the cabinet. Why is it in your holster now?" Alexander grabbed Eric's arm and whispered, "Are you crazy? He's a dead man. If you have any other ideas, you'll die, too!"

 

Eric panicked and glanced around with red eyes, looking at Alexander. "If you consider me a friend, act like you don't know anything, okay?"

 

"If it were anyone else, I wouldn't care! You just got married, you know? What kind of relationship do you have with Paul that makes you want to take this path?" Alexander, anxious, dragged Eric into the stairwell. "I don't care what your reasons are, but there's no way you can take him from here! If you try, you'll die!"

 

In the interrogation room, Paul's mind was racing, recalling Eric's words.

 

'It is obviousthat Eric isplanning to rescue me!' Paul thought.

 

However, Eric had no strong connections to handle this. How would he do it? The answer was clear.

 

'Once out of this room, would Eric take actions instantly?' Paul pondered.

 

Paul was confused. "That fool better not do something stupid."

 

In the lobby of the police department, hurried footsteps echoed as William and Samuel walked in through the main entrance.

 

"William, you're back. I was looking for you!" Kevin hurried over.

 

"What's up?" William asked.

 

"There's a crucial piece of information..." Kevin, panting, whispered to William and Samuel, "We accidentally got some unexpected information from one of the accomplices. Before Paul left, he contacted someone inside our police station..."