"Mr. Devonshire, as you know, we are bound by confidentiality agreements," Benny immediately shook his head when William asked him to speak. He was not as close to President Benjamin Arthur as William was, practically wearing the same pants as the man.
"Don't worry, I have authorization from Mr. Benjamin Arthur himself. I'm allowed to investigate and inquire into anything related to Amir Barkawi. And it just so happens that Clyde recently assassinated one of Barkawi's men."
"Alright then," Benny sighed and reluctantly explained, "Clyde Shelton has worked with our CIA six times. His fees started at $100,000 per job and have since risen to $500,000 per job—a discounted rate. Based on standard market rates, his minimum would be $1 million per mission, and the highest fee I know of was $4 million."
"Haha," William chuckled, glancing at Benny. This guy was clearly a professional in intelligence work, cautious to the bone. Even at the risk of offending William, he wouldn't reveal more than necessary. "Fine, if you don't dare to say more, we'll leave it at that."
William turned to Nick and the others and continued, "Ten years ago, Clyde Shelton left New York and spent three years in a Siberian training camp. When Clarence Darby was released after only three years in prison, Clyde left the camp and began his career as a hitman. Over seven years, he collaborated with intelligence organizations in England and the USA on nearly 20 operations. Records show he killed 46 people. Having killed so many, Clyde has completely lost any semblance of empathy or humanity. I advise you not to think convicting him will make him stop. As long as he's alive, with the wealth he's accumulated over the years, he can hire people through the dark web to target anyone connected to his wife and daughter's case."
William paused, surveying the room. "Today it's Judge Roberts. Tomorrow, it will surely be you, Bruce Mack, the prosecutor. Even your current colleagues could be next. And, Nick, I believe you'll be the last one."
"Me?!" Bruce Mack exclaimed, looking at William in disbelief. "My God, I barely had anything to do with that case!"
"It's no longer about involvement," William shook his head. "Do you really think Clyde Shelton's goal is just simple revenge? No. He has a much bigger objective. If you don't believe me, Nick, go back to the prison and talk to Clyde. He'll definitely propose conditions you cannot accept. Those conditions will likely include releasing him or confessing your role in the case. I assume neither is something you'd consider, right?"
"Of course not," Bruce Mack interjected. "Clyde has already confessed. No one has the authority to release him. If we did, the entire judicial system of the USA would collapse overnight." He shifted uncomfortably in his chair, not even entertaining the idea of their confessions.
"Since that's the case, I suggest you announce Judge Roberts' death to the public immediately, to avoid further attacks." William then turned to Bryan Mills. "Go to the car and bring back a few portable detectors."
"On it, Boss," Bryan replied. He left the office and returned shortly with a small box, which he handed to William.
William opened the box, pulling out three devices resembling car keys. "Here, take these portable explosive detectors and test them. If you find them useful, you can request them through your superiors. If not, we'll collect them in a month. How about that?"
"Haha, sounds great!" Bruce Mack didn't hesitate to pick up one of the devices. "How does this work?"
"Just press your thumb on the small screen in the middle to register your fingerprint. After that, there will be voice instructions guiding you through the rest," William explained with a smile.
Bruce Mack followed the instructions, pressing his thumb against the screen. The detector's display lit up, followed by a voice prompt. When the device revealed it could detect all remote-controlled and time-sensitive explosives within a 50-meter radius, Judge Roberts and Nick each grabbed one to try.
Seeing the three men accept the detectors, William secretly rejoiced. With Clyde's ongoing assassinations, these detectors were bound to become essential in New York's law enforcement circles.
In good spirits, William handed the box to Colonel Benny Gardner. "There are two more inside. Same deal—test them out. This model has a range of only 50 meters. The official models will have ranges of 100 or 200 meters, but they'll cost significantly more. If your CIA team finds any vulnerabilities within a month, I'll reward you with a new box of five improved detectors for each issue you report."
Hearing this, Benny's eyes lit up. "Deal, Mr. Devonshire. I can guarantee you'll get reports. My team will probably test every explosive and triggering device in the world just to secure their own units." He took the box with a grin. "Just don't go back on your word."
"Hahaha, don't worry, Benny. If your team finds 100 vulnerabilities within a month, I'll immediately grant the CIA a license to produce them locally."
"Thank you. If that happens, even our higher-ups will pay attention," Benny joked. "You'd better start preparing those licenses."
After chatting for a while, William left with Bryan and Benny. He had no plans to interfere with Nick Reese's next steps but instructed Sunday to keep monitoring Clyde discreetly.
Back at the prison, Nick, Judge Roberts, and Bruce Mack discussed the details of Roberts' fake death before heading to the interrogation room to confront Clyde.
Clyde bluntly stated that the only way to stop him was to release him by 6 a.m. the next morning. Otherwise, the recent killings were merely appetizers. He promised to eliminate everyone connected to his wife and daughter's case and hinted at an even larger attack in the works.
Releasing Clyde would mean a complete collapse of the judicial system. Keeping him imprisoned would lead to continued killings, targeting active officials, and causing widespread fear. Either outcome would destabilize the judicial system, forcing reforms to address loopholes and the habit of prosecutors negotiating with criminals.
In the end, Clyde had already won, no matter the path they chose.
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Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 256)
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 336)
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 542)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 924)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1284)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1289)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1402)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)
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