Empire of Shadows

Chapter 605 Who Can Refuse? [666+29]

Who is this person?

Director Dale immediately thought of one person: Lance.

But he quickly dismissed the idea, because Panda was standing outside.

Panda is a rising star agent in the Hazardous Materials Administration, known for his "anti-Lance" stance.

Sixty to seventy percent of the smuggling and alcohol trafficking cases he has cracked are related to the Lance family.

He is often threatened and warned, but he has never stopped.

Rumor has it that he was once shot, but luckily survived.

In short, anyone could conspire with Lance, but Panda is the only exception. Panda has personally sent dozens of Lance family gang members to prison.

Director Dale believed that Lance might throw some money his way to establish this "feeling".

But with so many people personally sent to prison by him, the Lance family must hate him to the core. How could he possibly be in contact with Panda?

If it's not Lance, then who could it be?

Many faces flashed through his mind. Who is most likely to have contact with Panda, and at the same time, need to secretly meet with him?

Why would they need to be so secretive?

At this moment, Director Dale's mind was experiencing an unprecedented storm!

When the storm swept away everything, it left behind an answer.

James... or rather, Councilor Williams!

This was Dale's judgment. He felt he was getting closer to the truth.

Lance has expanded too quickly and is showing signs of becoming uncontrollable. He is now in contact with the Department of Defense and has deeper ties with Congress. Councilor Williams can no longer suppress him.

Once Councilor Williams comes to power, the question of who listens to whom will become a problem, and may even trigger conflict and opposition between the two.

Thinking of this, Dale relaxed slightly, while also contemplating his own future.

He also wants to advance. Who doesn't want to advance?

Councilor Wade wanted to advance, so he moved his entire family away.

Councilor Williams wanted to advance, so he took the initiative to "take responsibility" when the opportunity arose.

Even Panda, the honest man he had been optimistic about, also wanted to advance.

Then, as the head of an important law enforcement agency, having seen the scenery at the top of the mountain, he also wanted to advance.

But he couldn't express his willingness to kneel down so readily. What is easily obtained is not cherished. Although it's not entirely appropriate here, he still intended to inquire.

"What if... I say no?"

The figure in the shadows across from him placed a... beautiful, he didn't know what brand... handgun on the table. Through the golden reflection, he had an illusion that he couldn't quite believe.

Is that a golden gun?

So extravagant?

The person said with a smile, "Then today is the day you become a federal hero. All the Hazardous Materials Administrations in the federation will mourn for you and take you as an example, although they may not think so in their hearts."

"Your subordinate discovered an illegal transaction, and you were worried that he wouldn't handle it well, so you came to the scene in person."

"As a result, your carelessness exposed you, and you had a fierce firefight with the criminals. During the firefight, you were shot and killed."

"Panda will inherit your legacy and, after a period of time, solve the entire case, destroying an entire smuggling crime syndicate, and he will also become a hero."

"And he will also inherit your power and become the director of the Goldenport City Hazardous Materials Administration, a young director."

Although Director Dale wouldn't choose this option, he couldn't help but tremble after hearing these words.

Part of it was fear, but more of it was anger.

The figure in the shadows in front of him was discussing how to murder him and then use him to promote Panda. This was too hateful!

He clenched his fist, "Sounds terrible."

The person across from him laughed twice, "For you, it certainly is."

Then came a brief period of silence. Director Dale ultimately had to choose the only option, and at the same time, he became somewhat relieved and relaxed.

"What do you want me to do?"

"And what can I do?"

Lance in the shadows could sense the change in his emotions, a kind of inexplicable relaxation, which made Lance a little confused. Why did he suddenly relax?

But he didn't really care, because Director Dale had already made his decision.

"I will arrange a major case for you. With this case, both you and Panda have the potential to go further."

"I don't know anyone in the State Prohibition Committee, but I believe you do. You find a way to smooth things over, and I can give you some assistance when necessary."

"You pursue the advancement you want, and at the same time, give Panda the advancement he wants."

"What do you think?"

Director Dale was already very relaxed. He even took out a pack of cigarettes, "Sounds good. Want one?"

The shadow sitting across from him shook his head, "No, thank you."

Director Dale lit one himself and took a deep puff, "We are now partners."

The person nodded and said, "Yes, you could say that."

Director Dale asked, "Then why won't you let me know who you are?"

"We are already partners. You can see me, but I cannot see you."

He was already prepared, and even planned to actively call out "Mr. Williams" if the other party was unwilling to reveal himself.

Whether it was Councilor Williams or James, it was no problem to call them that, very respectful and reverent.

However, before he could do so, the person across from him clapped his hands, and the lights in the warehouse suddenly turned on.

He squinted slightly, looking at Lance sitting across from him, and his mind went "buzz" for a moment, losing the ability to process information.

He had considered that it might be Lance, but also thought that Lance was the least likely, but it turned out to be Lance.

There were also several people standing in the warehouse, all of them Lance's subordinates, holding weapons in their hands.

If he had made any slight mistake just now, he would have "died in the line of duty."

A drop of sweat flowed down his forehead, and his tone became nervous again, "Why is it you!"

Lance was also a little confused by the constantly reversing changes in Director Dale's emotions, but he still replied with a smile that was not quite a smile, "Why can't it be me?"

The warehouse door opened, and Panda walked in from outside, standing behind Lance.

Director Dale's gaze kept moving back and forth between the two, "You... how could you be together?"

"Fack!"

"No wonder you can always catch his people!"

"But..."

His brain was about to be burned out!

Lance didn't mind explaining a few words, "Those brothers who are in prison will be out in three years at most, and the shorter ones in half a year or a year."

"For them, it is actually a kind of further study, a way to show loyalty to the family."

Dale's voice became a little shrill as if he was listening to a story, "You facking use this to test those people?"

Lance raised his hand and shook his finger, "No, it's not a test, it's training."

"I don't like the word test, and I never test anyone. Every selected young man will improve after coming out, and some can even directly become captains."

"That's a university, Dale."

"Inside, they will learn how to deal with the police, how to deal with you, how to deal with the gang, and everything."

"So... do you have any other questions?"

Dale didn't speak, the result was beyond his expectations, and he felt a little uncomfortable.

Lance turned his head and glanced at a young man standing next to him, who carried a briefcase to the table between the two and placed the briefcase on it.

"There are one hundred thousand inside. Take it to bribe those people on the State Prohibition Committee. I believe there will always be someone willing to take the money."

"Get along well with them, and then wait for the big case to come."

Things had developed to this point, although it was beyond Dale's expectations, it was still within his tolerance.

He did not refuse the money when he decided to seize this opportunity to advance.

Even at this moment, he was more calm and composed than before.

Because the role that Lance could play was something that Councilor Williams could not, at least Lance could talk to Congress and even knew people from the Department of Defense!

He nodded, and at the same time asked curiously, "The answer you mentioned, is it to create a big case?"

Lance shook his head, "No, that's too wasteful."

"The underground forces in Goldenport City have been unified, and I don't want to waste any more money, so this time, our target is the smuggling syndicate."

"They smuggle large quantities of alcohol from Yalan and other places into the Federation, seriously violating the Prohibition Act policy. We need to severely crack down on this illegal behavior."

"Maybe we can seize one or two smuggling ships and seize a small handle for the Congress masters..."

Dale wasn't a fool. His mind quickly started working, "You mean, Congress has ideas about Yalan."

Lance didn't know if they had any ideas, but the environment in Yalan was very good. Those dog-forsaken locals didn't even need to grow crops. When they were hungry, they could go to the jungle and bring back a lot of food.

Wild fruits, wild animals, abundant resources, rich mineral resources, and other things.

Leaving such a rich land unused is a crime. This is a good excuse to launch a military expedition to Yalan under the pretext of cracking down on alcohol smuggling.

Although Lance didn't answer, Dale continued to think along those lines. He vaguely felt that he might really be able to use this opportunity to climb up a rung or two.

Thinking of this, the dissatisfaction he felt towards Lance quickly dissipated, replaced by a burning desire and impulse to climb up.

Seeing that he had gotten into character, Lance stood up and said, "Let's leave it at this for now. Wait for my news."

He walked towards the door. When he passed Director Dale, he paused slightly, placed his hand on Dale's shoulder, and said, "Do a good job, I have high hopes for you."