Chapter 44
Chapter 44
Ewan and Tate sat in the cold, stark cell, clueless about what was happening outside.
Suddenly, the cell door swung open.
Terry stood there, looking annoyed. "You guys can go."
Tate and Ewan were stunned.
They exchanged a glance, both wearing expressions of disbelief.
"We... can leave?"
"What? You don't wanna go?" Terry said, pretending to close the door.
Snapping out of their daze, Tate and Ewan hurried out. No one wanted to stay in this godforsaken place.
After completing a series of procedures, Tate and Ewan stood outside the main gate.
"What the heck is going on?"
"Who cares? Let's just get outta here. I'm exhausted," Tate said, rubbing his sore back. "I'm never coming back to this dump."
Ewan wholeheartedly agreed.
Back at City Hall, they were greeted not with a welcome party, but with a termination letter, signed who knows when.
They were stripped of all their duties. Overnight, their lives were spared, but they lost everything.
In Tate's office, the phone suddenly rang.
It was Ewan calling.
"Hey, Tate, I've been fired. What's your situation?"
"Let's talk in person. Meet me at the coffee shop," Tate said, his face dark.
He held a box in his arms, containing all his personal belongings from years of work.
It was laughable. After all those years of hard work, all he had to show for it was this small box.
They met in a private booth at the coffee shop.
Ewan couldn't wait to ask, "Did you see? Aurora's case is closed. Jesse confessed."
"So that's why we're out? Who's pulling the strings?"
Ewan shook his head. They had been locked up together, with their phones confiscated. They hadn't had any chance to contact the outside world.
"It was me."
The sudden voice startled them. They both looked towards the door.
Eris gently pushed the door open and walked in.
She sat across from them. "After being inside for a few days, feeling a bit out of place now?"
Tate and Ewan were frozen in place.
They knew who Eris was.
She was from the Thompson family, connected to the state government.
Their attitudes became respectful. It didn't matter what their positions were; what mattered was the Thompson family behind Eris.
With a glance from Eris, Tate quickly poured her a cup of coffee.
Eris spoke in a low voice, "Your sons were involved in drug trafficking. They won't be out anytime soon. You two should be grateful you're out."
"Thank you, Ms. Thompson!"
"Ms. Thompson..." Ewan said, trying to ingratiate himself. "We're about to retire, and now we've suddenly lost our positions."
Eris understood their intentions perfectly.
"Your jobs will be arranged later."
Tate sat up straight and cautiously asked, "Ms. Thompson, what do you need us to do?"
Eris took a sip of coffee and glanced at them. "Hillcrest."
Tate and Ewan were stunned. They had an idea of what she meant but were afraid to admit it.
"Ms. Thompson, you..."
Eris nodded. "It's exactly what you're thinking."
They exchanged a look and fell silent.
If they were to speak honestly, they'd rather be sent back to prison.
"Ms. Thompson, you must be joking. Hillcrest's top management is no small group."
"I'll be helping you from the shadows."
Tate and Ewan exchanged a glance, pondering for a moment. "Ms. Thompson, let us think about it."
Eris gave them an impatient look. "I want your decision by tomorrow."
With that, she turned and left.
After Eris left, they both breathed a sigh of relief.
Ewan glanced outside and whispered, "The Thompson family's ambitions are too big."
Tate was uneasy. "I fear it's not the Thompson family's intentions."
"If it's this woman's idea, it won't be easy."
"We have no status now. To Eris, we're just pawns."
"If anything happens, we'll be the scapegoats."
Ewan nodded. But if they didn't do it, they'd likely face prison time.
They had made plenty of enemies. If they ended up in prison, the consequences wouldn't be good.
"Should we take the risk?"
They spoke in unison.
Looking at each other, they both laughed, seemingly reaching an unspoken agreement.
---
Criminal Investigation Department.
Travis placed the case report on Carter's desk.
Without even looking, Carter signed his name.
Seeing Travis's frustrated expression, Carter sighed. "Travis, you've done your best. Some things can't be solved with just one case, you understand?"
"I understand. I have other cases to handle. I'll be going now, Chief Johnson." Travis said, his face dark, as he walked out.
Carter could only sigh.
Outside, all the officers avoided eye contact with Travis, pretending to be busy.
Travis threw the case report on his desk, his face practically screaming frustration.
Such a big case involving drug use, trafficking, and deaths.
And in the end, they only caught Jesse?
Tate and Ewan were released.
It wouldn't be long before Russell and Philip were out too.
Travis slammed his fist on the desk.
The officers outside flinched.
"Captain Smith's about to blow up."
"Can you blame him? So many people involved, and they only caught Jesse. It's like they're using us regular folks as pawns."
"Kian, you've been with Captain Smith the longest. What do you think?"
Kian peeked through the privacy curtain at Travis, then quickly looked away.
"Based on what I know about Captain Smith, he'll try to save Jesse."
"Save Jesse? Don't be ridiculous. The case is closed, and Jesse took all the blame. He's looking at life at least."
"Save him? How?"
Kian chuckled. "Wanna bet?"
"Let's see if Captain Smith tries to save Jesse."
"You're on!"
"Alright, let's bet a week's worth of lunch money. Get ready to hand over your menus."
"Kian!"
Travis's voice came from the office.
Kian's smile vanished, almost ready to cry.
"God bless you, amen!"
Listening to the chatter, Kian nervously walked into the office.
"Captain Smith."
Travis picked up the case report. "You're handling the follow-up work."
Kian took the documents and quietly asked, "Captain Smith, what about Jesse?"