Chapter 506 This Guy is a Tough Man
The cops had nabbed the hacker who'd broken into Aucester Hospital's security system, but after half an hour, they still hadn't gotten a peep out of him.
The interrogator, decked out in his police uniform, stared at the suspect, who was shackled to a chair. The suspect, Peregrine Holloway, was thirty-two and used to be a programmer for a big international financial company, handling their internal security. Two years ago, he got canned and blacklisted by major companies after a screw-up at work led to a huge amount of money being stolen.
When he left the company, all his personal assets were frozen, and the house he had bought in Averlake was mortgaged to the bank by the company.
In the next two years, he left Averlake and came back to the country to work for a small company doing web maintenance. But the pay and benefits were a far cry from what he used to get, and with a mortgage to pay for a property in Aucester, he started taking on private gigs. Some jobs paid a few hundred bucks, others thousands.
His work evolved from fixing security loopholes to rescuing back-end systems. Gradually, the transactions grew larger, and his actions increasingly crossed legal boundaries.
Investigations revealed that he had even stealthily infiltrated MBK's security system to view data, fortunately without breaching the final firewall, which would have had unimaginable consequences.
Reviewing his criminal record, the interrogator whispered to his superior, "Boss, this guy's something else. It's a shame he didn't use his skills for good. And he's tough as nails, hasn't said a word despite all our questioning."
Thaddeus Thornfield, the captain of the criminal investigation team, took off his police hat and pulled up a chair to sit opposite Peregrine. "Peregrine Holloway, do you realize that your actions have caused someone's death? Your previous crimes were just about money, but this time, you've taken a life. Do you understand?"
Peregrine, expressionless, sneered but remained silent, seemingly prepared for death and unwilling to reveal the identity of the person behind the scenes.
Thaddeus placed his hands on the table and spread out a stack of documents. "Peregrine, even if you don't admit it, the existing evidence is enough to send you to prison for ten to twenty years. Confession leads to leniency, resistance leads to severity. Think about it."
Peregrine still didn't say a word, his tired, silent eyes fixed on the people in front of him, a contemptuous smile lingering on his lips.
He seemed to be mocking their incompetence, or maybe just showing his disdain.
His attitude was definitely arrogant.
After a bit, Ophelia walked into the interrogation room. "Has he said anything?"
Thaddeus shook his head. "Nope."
Ophelia leaned in and whispered to Thaddeus, "The source of the transaction can't be traced; it's been specially handled. Looks like Peregrine did it. He's got some serious skills."
High intelligence, high-skill crime.
These days, criminals' smarts and skills are really pushing the limits of what the police can handle. It's clear that just being physically strong isn't enough to be a cop anymore.
Ophelia perched on the table, swinging a stack of documents in her hand, her eyes scanning Peregrine. She had to admit that his demeanor was different from that of most people. Even in the police station, he stayed calm and composed. And he wasn't bad-looking, with clear features and a tall, straight figure, like a social elite at first glance.
"Peregrine, we've got enough evidence of your crimes. Whether you admit it or not, you're already guilty. You've stolen hospital security data, repeatedly hacked into others' computers to steal information, and sold commercial secrets. Any one of these charges is enough to make you suffer. Now, if you reveal the mastermind behind this, we might consider reducing your sentence. Opportunities for redemption don't come every day."
Peregrine sneered at Ophelia, his eyes full of disdain.
"What's with that look? I'll shoot you!"
No matter the punches, kicks, or severe punishment, Peregrine stubbornly remained silent.
In the duty room, the sky darkened, and it was already 8 PM.
"Damn! I've never seen anyone like this. Captain Thornfield, what do we do?"
Thaddeus rubbed his temples. "He won't talk, and we can't use illegal methods. Lock him up and starve him."
Ophelia swallowed hard. "You think starving him will work? He's not afraid of death; why would he be afraid of hunger? Don't be ridiculous."
At that moment, Thorne stormed in, asking, "Any progress? Has he talked?"
Thaddeus and Ophelia greeted him in unison. Thorne glared at them. "Can you handle this or not? Sebastian called me, urging us to solve the case quickly. He said if we can't deal with a small hacker, the police need serious reform. Do you understand what that means?"
It meant they could all go home.
Thaddeus scratched his head. "Commissioner Blackwood, we're trying, but Peregrine won't talk. We've tried everything."
Thorne was about to curse when his phone rang.
Seeing the name on the screen, Thorne almost choked, then answered politely, "Mr. Kingsley, why are you calling so late?"
Sebastian didn't waste any time. "What's the progress?"
Thorne immediately felt cold sweat on his forehead. "Mr. Kingsley... Peregrine hasn't spoken yet, but rest assured, we'll speed things up and get to the truth soon!"
"Rest assured? As the police commissioner of Aucester, you've spent half a day on this small matter, and you want me to rest assured? How?"
Sebastian sat in the hospital room, Brooklyn reading a book by the bed, while he issued a deadly command with his legs crossed.
"We'll work overnight if necessary to get him to talk!"
"I should remind you, I'm not a patient man." Sebastian's fingers played with his wedding ring, his gaze icy.
"Mr. Kingsley, rest assured!"
After hanging up, Sebastian frowned. "He's too comfortable as police commissioner; he seems to have forgotten who he is."
Brooklyn said, "The suspect might be keeping quiet out of loyalty. He took money to do a job, so naturally, he has to keep it secret. I think he's quite tough. You can't deal with someone like him harshly."
Sebastian pondered. "Do you have any suggestions?"
Brooklyn thought for a moment. "Peregrine has a past, so he must avoid similar mistakes in his future work. It's a psychological factor. Check his family and friends, as well as his network. See if there's more than just mortgage pressure. Something that makes him so loyal might not be money itself."
Sebastian nodded. "Alright."
His fingers quickly accessed a system, and once he touched the keyboard, he transformed, his decisive and sharp skills dazzling everyone.
Brooklyn couldn't help but swallow. When did Sebastian learn this skill? Even professional programmers aren't this fast!
Soon, Sebastian frowned. "You were right, dear. I'll go to the police station now."
Brooklyn's eyes widened. "You found out so quickly?"
Sebastian replied matter-of-factly, "If this took a lot of time, my computer skills would be wasted."
Sebastian stood in the interrogation room, his tall figure illuminated by the light above, casting half his handsome face in light and half in shadow.
His deep voice carried no direct threat but was filled with immense intimidation. "You must be familiar with this person, right?"
Peregrine slowly raised his eyes, and when he saw the photo, his previously calm eyes suddenly turned heavy, angry, and even murderous.
Sebastian's lips curled as he pulled up a chair and sat down. "Your wife looks gentle and beautiful. What a pity."
"Shut up!"
Peregrine finally spoke!
Ophelia, Thaddeus, and the others outside the window watched the suddenly enraged Peregrine, exchanging surprised and admiring glances.
Sebastian chuckled lightly. "When you were successful in Averlake, your relationship with your wife was good. But after you fell, she filed for divorce and took your daughter."
Peregrine's bloodshot eyes widened, struggling against his restraints. "Sebastian, if you touch my daughter, I'll kill you!"
Sebastian took out a second photo. "After your wife filed for divorce, she married a man fifteen years older and had her own son. And your daughter..." He looked at the photo of a three or four-year-old girl. "She was diagnosed with a heart defect and is currently receiving treatment in Averlake, requiring a large sum of money. But your ex-wife abandoned her. Is that correct?"
Peregrine's anger was uncontrollable, his face distorted with rage. "Sebastian! If you touch her, I'll kill you!"
Sebastian said, "Such a lovely daughter. If she dies early due to surgery costs and medical limitations, how heartbreaking. You took a million dollars from the mastermind, but do you know, money alone can't save your daughter's life."
Peregrine's bloodshot eyes widened, veins bulging. "What do you mean?"
Sebastian sat upright. "Simple. Tell the truth, and I'll cover all your daughter's medical expenses and find the best doctors. Don't forget, Aucester Hospital, which you attacked, is my asset. And Aucester Hospital's heart treatment is internationally top-notch."
Peregrine's eyes narrowed. "You mean your wife? Brooklyn?"
Sebastian didn't respond.
"Haha! Don't joke! I've heard, Scarlett... oh no, Brooklyn only treats the wealthy! Haha, such doctors should die!"
At this point, a voice suddenly came from outside the door, clear, firm, and sincere.
Brooklyn, wearing a hospital gown with a long knit cardigan, stood outside the interrogation room. "I'll take care of your daughter's illness. I promise to return you a healthy child."
Hearing Brooklyn's voice, Sebastian stood up as if electrified, turning to hold her hand in one smooth motion. "Why are you here?"
Brooklyn smiled. "You didn't turn off your computer. I saw the information you were investigating. I can help with this, and as a doctor, saving lives is my duty."
Peregrine stared at them, his lips twitching several times. "You... you'll save my daughter?"
Brooklyn smiled proudly. "Of course. But as you said, I don't treat just anyone. So I have two conditions."
Peregrine looked at her warily. "What are they?"
Brooklyn's eyes were steady and sincere. "First, you need to tell us everything you know about the mastermind behind this. Second, you must promise to never engage in illegal activities again. If you agree, I'll make sure your daughter gets the best treatment possible."
Peregrine's face twisted with conflicting emotions. He looked at Brooklyn, then at Sebastian, and finally, he let out a long, defeated sigh. "Alright. I'll tell you everything. Just... save my daughter."
Brooklyn nodded. "You have my word."
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