New Gods of North America

After a night of cross-examination,

the detective agency, after all, wasn't some infamous and secretive organization; its deterrent power was probably insufficient.

So, the things they managed to extract were mostly just 'small chips,' lacking any truly lethal 'bullets.'

The involved content included things like jointly suppressing newly promoted priests, deliberately leaking scandals of some competitors when researching candidates for small parish priests, or threatening insiders to cover up accidental deaths or injuries to innocent people during exorcisms.

Of course, there were also minor matters such as abusing discretionary power and using the church and their own influence to obtain excessive profits.

As for things like 'secretly arranging for people to investigate the detective agency,' that couldn't even be considered a 'matter' at all.

At best, it could only be considered 'overly cautious' or a 'misjudgment,' but that didn't fall within the category of 'wrongdoing'—of course, provided they weren't caught red-handed by the person involved, like tonight.

Even if all these things were published in the newspaper, it would only cause people to whisper and mutter behind their backs.

At most, the church would investigate and hold them accountable, and that would basically be the end of it. Maybe the church would even exert its influence to suppress the public opinion.

It might be a bit useful during special periods like elections, but in ordinary times, it wouldn't be enough to get anyone 'excommunicated' or 'forced to resign.'

After all, some things are difficult to find solid evidence for, and witnesses can always change their stories.

Since the 'quality' wasn't enough, they would focus on 'quantity.'

While the three captives were separated, Wayne took the opportunity to extract more inside information.

For example, if one person revealed a new matter, he would go out and say that it had already been revealed by others, and then use the new information to pry into the mouths of the other two, also trying to verify its authenticity.

Theoretically, if a person were to reveal one or two 'gray deeds' they had participated in, rounding up, that would be at least two things.

Then, telling the other party that 'this matter has already been said by the other two companions' would allow them to pick up four pieces of information for free, and by squeezing a little more, they might be able to squeeze out two new pieces of information.

In the end, a total of fifteen 'minor scandals' were squeezed out of the three captives.

There were slightly more things related to Priest Tyrrell, but in Wayne's opinion, this guy was relatively 'cleaner.'

Accidental deaths or injuries to innocent people during exorcisms felt like something that was difficult to completely avoid. Of course, malicious concealment was also incorrect.

Using influence to earn a little extra money and giving 'friends' some convenience—you can't say it's right, but in America, it's not considered 'wrong.'

As for abusing discretionary power…

Sometimes secretly engaging in private 'transactions' with certain criminal extraordinaires, and sometimes, out of certain other considerations, increasing the punishment and disposal of some 'fallen people,' Wayne felt like he could understand.

Priest Bazzini's affairs were a bit darker.

Digging up dirt, exposing scandals, secretly colluding, secretly 'fishing,' privately threatening, secretly 'tripping up,'

In general, it was the normal operation of an insidious villain to 'support his own faction and suppress dissidents,' but it was slightly better than directly arranging murder and arson.

Wayne planned to tell Tom Hagen all this information later, wondering what the reaction would be when the cathedral found out.

It might be very exciting, or maybe Bishop Corleone and the others already knew.

The three captives didn't know the exact same things.

Wayne eventually gave nicknames to all the dirt, so that those who understood would know what it referred to, and those who didn't know could guess for themselves.

Then, he read the nicknames of the dirt to them all:

"What I just read are all the gains our detective agency has made tonight. Thank you for your cooperation. We will keep the source of the information confidential.

"By the way, two of you only said two things, and the rest of the information was all provided by another gentleman. But quantity is not important, having a cooperative attitude is enough. I would like to express my gratitude to you all again here.

"If you are willing, we will treat tonight as if it never happened. You were not discovered by us, and we don't know any inside information. Our detective agency's chef has prepared some food for you, which is quite delicious. You can eat something before you leave, or you can leave directly."

The colleagues from the exorcist association kindly declined Wayne's offer.

After taking their personal belongings, they ran out of the cellar in a puff of smoke, and then quickly drove away in a carriage.

……

The next day was Sunday,

Wayne went to Georgeburg Church, clutching his stomach.

David Mills was a little strange when he saw Wayne. "What's wrong with you? You were fine the last time I saw you."

"Oh, it's nothing serious." Wayne grimaced and gasped for air while clutching his stomach. "I was followed on Wednesday night, and they even shot at me. It was starting to heal, but I aggravated the wound again this morning."

"Wednesday?"

David Mills recalled slightly, "Was that the day you reported the case to the police station?"

"Yes, it happened after I reported the case. So, I suspect that my judgment was not wrong. It seems that someone really wants to attack the members of the Fisk family, and I just happen to be in the way." Wayne nodded seriously.

It is said that you have to look at the owner when you beat a dog, but sometimes you actually have to beat it in front of the owner.

The guys from the exorcist association were quite cooperative last night, so I won't bother them anymore, but secretly arranging for people to investigate the detective agency, this debt still has to be settled when I get the chance.

David Mills frowned. "I didn't receive any news that you caught the people. You actually let the attackers run away?"

Um…

Wayne shrugged. "Our manpower has basically gone out recently, and the other party is also very powerful. But if we encounter them again next time, we will try to arrest them."

David Mills pondered slightly, "You have to pay attention to the impact and don't make things too big."

"Don't worry."

Wayne habitually patted his waist, and quickly added a grimacing expression before he was exposed. "I will pay attention."

Although you can only 'fight without breaking' with people inside the church, you can't 'not fight at all.'

For example, if you are walking on the red carpet and see a foot secretly stretched out to trip you, one solution is to pretend you don't see it, then walk over and step on it with a smile.

This way, everyone looks good on the surface, and maybe fewer people will want to stretch out their legs in the future.

From Wayne's perspective, the cathedral is, in a sense, encouraging Wayne to do this.

At least Bishop Corleone doesn't seem to like 'children who are only bullied.'

If the three guys from last night didn't tell about their capture,

then Priest Bazzini probably doesn't know that he has already discovered that he secretly arranged for people to follow and investigate.

He can still find a chance to 'step on his foot.'

For example, if he is followed again next time, Wayne will consider sending the captives to the police station with gongs and drums, and it would be best to notify the reporters and get it in the newspaper.

He only hopes that he won't meet those three unlucky guys from last night again.

As for that Priest Tyrrell from the exorcist association… a bishop candidate-level figure who is not directly hostile to the detective agency, he won't provoke him for now.

While Wayne was thinking this, he went to the crowd to greet Police Chief Bill Tench from the police station:

"Hi, Bill. How did you know I was attacked last Wednesday night?"

"Ah?!"