North American Detective: I am Proficient in All Kinds of Gun Quick Draws-Chapter 605 - 339: Interrogation_2

Dean nodded.

"I've told you the basics of the case. Actually, the deceased Chinese old lady from the first case was a front in the money laundering operation for the HuaQing Gang. The primary entity involved in the laundering is an inconspicuous medical company. However, several months ago, this medical company announced it was looking for a buyer. This search didn't stop, even after the Chinese old lady's death. Instead, her personal lawyer, Barnaby, disappeared. He presumably died in a secret basement beneath his own house. His death was gruesome, showing very clear signs of vengeful emotional release. The killer, before leaving, even deliberately set up an explosive trap at the front door. You should know what this means?" 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Leia frowned slightly. "Why didn't you say any of this before?"

This information could connect all the current findings and ultimately point to the HuaQing Gang. However, Dean had deliberately omitted it when describing the case earlier!

"Didn't I say?" Dean feigned surprise. "Didn't I mention that I suspected the killer in several cases might be the same person?"

What a joke. He hadn't known before if he could handle the incoming FBI agent. This information was his leverage for joining the case.

"You're shifting the goalposts!"

Leia's fists tightened again. Dean had indeed mentioned the killer before, but he hadn't disclosed the relationship between the HuaQing Gang and the deceased old lady. Without this information, even if they took over the case and discovered it later, who knew how much time would have been wasted. Investigations have a golden window. Such a delay could allow the killer to escape.

Leia was usually quite composed. Yet, for some reason, whenever she saw Dean's face or heard his tone, she couldn't help but feel irritated and want to punch him.

Dean glanced at her reaction and shifted the topic with a smile. "Alright, Agent Leia, we have limited time. Let's divide and conquer. I'll handle the boss of the HuaQing Gang, and you investigate the financial transactions of that Chinese medical company. The faster, the better."

"Got it!" Leia glared at Dean and left the crime scene, her small leather shoes clacking as she went.

Watching her leave, Dean took out his pipe. He silently gazed up at the 'big bird'—formed by more than twenty bodies—until the forensic team arrived, then drove back to the police station.

Leia floored the gas pedal, racing to the precinct's new station. When she got out of the car, a cold wind gusted over her. It jolted her, and the anger and displeasure that had built up inside began to subside.

Horror flashed in her eyes. In front of that Dean... she had acted like a newbie fresh out of school! This was completely out of character! As a psychological expert, her management of facial expressions and emotions was undoubtedly far superior to that of ordinary people. Yet, after just a few sentences with Dean, her emotions and attention had inexplicably focused on his character, easily giving herself away.

The previous conversation replayed in Leia's mind.

It was only when a passerby walked by outside that she snapped back to reality.

The tone and rhythm of his speech! The content and pace of his speech broke through the defensive line built by my subconscious, and his tone triggered my emotional fluctuations. This guy's mastery of psychology is absolutely beyond mine!

After realizing all this, Leia had only one thought: Thank goodness she wasn't his enemy!

She rubbed her face, readjusted her turbulent emotions, and then, bag in hand, strode towards the building before her.

「Meanwhile.」

Not long after Dean arrived at the police station, Hawk led a man in. He was under five-foot-seven, with thick legs and a large belly, adorned with gold rings and a gold necklace. He had the air of someone ostentatiously wealthy yet foolish and easily deceived. The man showed none of the usual restraint people feel at a police station. He swaggered in, looking around, and would whistle if he saw an attractive, shapely policewoman. If a policewoman rolled her eyes or gave him the middle finger, he wouldn't get upset. Instead, he'd proudly pat his big belly.

Following him was a young Chinese man carrying a briefcase and wearing a suit; with a serious expression on his face, he looked like a lawyer.

Hawk led the middle-aged man and the young lawyer to a room.

About half an hour later, Dean, having received a message, arrived unhurriedly at the small room, which could hardly be called an interrogation room.

The door swung open. Smoke wafted out.

Inside, a middle-aged man dressed like the simpleton son of a landlord sat on a chair, his plump legs crossed, puffing clouds of smoke in a relaxed pose. Next to him, the young lawyer kept his head down, looking at the expensive watch on his wrist as if timing something.

Hearing the noise, the chubby middle-aged man turned his head, a smile playing on his lips as he looked at Dean walking in. "Are you the little cop who threatened me into coming here?"

Dean stood at the doorway, surrounded by wisps of smoke, and said coolly, "Put out the cigar."

CRACK!

A half-smoked cigar flew past Dean's face, hit the doorframe hard—scattering sparks—and then ricocheted towards Dean's neck.

Dean remained motionless. His left index and middle fingers moved to lightly pinch near his neck. When he drew his hand back, a smoldering cigar stump was caught between them.

"This..." The middle-aged man, who had intended to make a show of force, froze. The curses on the tip of his tongue died.

Under Dean's gaze, he sheepishly lowered his head and sat properly. "Sorry, waiting so long has put me on edge. Detective, may I ask why you wanted to see me?"

Dean, toying with the cigar in his hand, sat down opposite the middle-aged man and gestured to the silent lawyer. "Get out."

The young lawyer frowned. "This is against procedure."

TAP.

Dean dropped the cigar onto the table and said nonchalantly, "You can stay if you want. As long as you don't mind being encased in cement and dumped in the ocean after you leave the police station."

Hearing this, the young lawyer's body trembled, and he looked at his employer nervously.

The middle-aged man, watching the cigar roll towards him, waved his hand.

The young lawyer quickly got up and left the room, thoughtfully closing the door behind him.

Once only the two of them remained in the room, the middle-aged man forced a smile onto his fat face. "Detective, I, Cheng Chuanbiao, have always been an upright man. I've contributed to charity many times and have had tea and meals with leaders from many departments. Could there be some misunderstanding in you calling me here?"

From the earlier threatening summons to the young man's current unsettling demeanor, Cheng Chuanbiao had a bad feeling. Could this be trouble caused by that lunatic?

In response to Cheng Chuanbiao's probing question, Dean got straight to the point. "Do you realize that the trouble you people have caused is putting immense pressure on the Los Angeles precinct, the Detective Bureau, and the FBI?"

"What?" Cheng Chuanbiao's heart tightened, but he feigned ignorance. "Sorry, I don't quite understand what you're saying. Could you please clarify... AHHHHH!!"

A scream like a pig being slaughtered echoed in the room.

Cheng Chuanbiao clutched his twisted right hand, his fingers contorted, and writhed on the floor, screaming and wailing, tears and snot streaming down his face.

Dean looked down at him from above. "I don't have time to waste on you. One more foolish word out of you, and I'll break your left hand. After that, it'll be your 'three legs.' If you're still stubborn, that's fine too. You'll watch your family, lovers, and children die one by one before your eyes, until those big shots are satisfied."

Interrogation was all about tailoring the approach to the subject. Why do gangsters in movies always act so tough with the police? That's because, officially, the police need to rely on evidence. But if the police were to drop their so-called professional decorum, these gangsters would be nothing but small fry before the vast police force, easily crushed.

Previously, Dean wouldn't have been so blatantly aggressive and crude. But this time, someone had his back, so he didn't bother wasting brain cells or words.

Hearing Dean's blatant, unvarnished threats, Cheng Chuanbiao was scared.

He fought back the searing pain from his right hand, trembling as he spoke, "I really don't know what I've done wrong. But a few months ago, my smuggling ships started having problems. Then, my men started suffering accidents one after another, and even our money-laundering spots were invaded. I was worried someone had targeted us, so I ordered the abandonment of the laundering channels and was preparing to investigate privately. Then, my aunt suddenly died a week ago, and her personal lawyer is also unreachable. It's like an invisible big hand is targeting our HuaQing Gang..."

After a long while, Dean, having gathered considerable information, had Hawk take the gang leader to a doctor.

Just as he was about to review the information he'd gathered, the young Chinese lawyer who had been waiting outside suddenly called out to Dean, "Buddy, you've crossed the line!"