Check out more than 65+ chapters right now? đ„
đ patreon.com/Mr UmU
https://www.patreon.com/Mr_UmU
__________________
Chapter 55: Power Play
Ricky emerged from Deputy Inspector Burton's office without much good news.
First, the Deputy Police Chief of the East District Branch had demanded that they must bring Paul Miller back to the East District Branch, and the case would also belong to the East District. The West District Branch would only assist and not participate.
This was really not very friendly towards Theodore and Bernie. But compared to the news that followed, this bit of unfriendliness was nothing at all.
"Councilor Miller went to headquarters," Ricky said, gritting his teeth.
"How did he know?" Bernie asked, then immediately realized the answer.
One person had been missing for a long time. Keller had directly taken Little Howard from the scene, claiming he was taking him to the hospital for examination, and had not returned since.
Bernie muttered with disappointment, "I quite liked the political gossip he told."
Ricky looked around, confirming that no one else was nearby, and sneered. "Compared to gossiping about others, he'd rather participate in it himself."
Ricky was genuinely pissed off.
He ignored the orders from Deputy Police Chief Walker of the East District Branch, borrowed an interrogation room from the West District Branch, and directly shoved Paul Miller, who had only received simple bandaging for his wounded hand, inside.
"You handle him, I'll handle those sons of bitches!" Ricky pointed at the interrogation room, then checked his watch. "I estimate I can buy you three hours."
"You must make him confess! Confess personally!"
Bernie shivered as he watched Ricky's portly figure disappear down the corridor. This version of Ricky was so tough it felt unfamiliar to him.
Theodore shook his head and pulled Bernie aside to discuss the interrogation plan.
Time was limited, and they didn't have any decent cards in their hand, making the interrogation extremely difficult. Fortunately, Theodore was familiar enough with criminals who had antisocial personality disorder.
It took them more than half an hour just to prepare for the interrogation.
During this time, Ricky returned once in a hurry, took a quick look, and left again. He had just finished a phone call with Councilor Santos, not only informing him that they had caught the murderer, but also warning him about Councilor Miller's political maneuvering.
Councilor Santos would hold back Miller and the other councilors, helping to share the external pressure. Now Ricky had to prepare to deal with the pressure from within the police department itself.
Theodore and Bernie finished their preparations and entered the interrogation room.
Paul Miller was curled up in his chair, looking every bit the introverted and shy young man. Bernie quietly curled his lip, showing disdain for Paul Miller's pathetic act.
They did not directly enter the case of Teddy Santos's murder and didn't even mention his name. For a long time, the interrogation only revolved around Paul Miller's actions that afternoon.
Theodore and Bernie cooperated seamlessly, quietly positioning Theodore as the 'judge', the final arbiter of truth and correctness.
Bernie engaged in debate with Paul Miller, belittling this kidnapping operation as utterly worthless. While criticizing it, he also solicited Theodore's opinion at every turn.
Every time he received Theodore's confirmation, Bernie immediately became smug, adopting a tone like 'Did you hear that? Theodore also admitted I was right.'
Paul Miller quickly couldn't help but start defending himself. Sometimes he argued that those supposed flaws had perfectly good reasons, and other times he insisted they were just playing around, harmless pranks between friends.
He also learned from Bernie, frequently looking to Theodore for validation.
Only when he did this would Theodore respond to his words, creating a psychological dependency.
Soon, the focus of the discussion had quietly shifted. Both Bernie and Paul began seeking Theodore's approval like students desperate for their teacher's praise.
Theodore seemed to become the embodiment of correctness, what he said was right was right, what he said was wrong was wrong. His words carried absolute authority.
When Paul, like Bernie, began looking at him almost every time he spoke, Theodore quietly signaled Bernie to enter the next stage.
Next, Bernie would mention the case of Teddy Santos, and Theodore would use his authoritative status to start favoring Bernie, constantly stimulating Paul Miller until he lost control and confessed his crime personally.
This was a classic interrogation technique, simple and devastatingly practical.
During this delicate process, Ricky interrupted twice. The first time he just stood outside the interrogation room and observed. The second time he directly called Theodore out.
He asked Theodore how much longer he needed. Theodore didn't answer, pointing at his wrist to remind him that three hours hadn't passed yet.
Another ten minutes passed, and Ricky interrupted the interrogation for the third time. He looked anxious, urging for progress again.
He told Theodore that Councilor Miller's staff had arrived at headquarters. They might persuade the high-level officials to issue a direct order at any moment. Chief Weideke was on vacation, and the West District Branch was under Deputy Inspector Burton's command today.
With Wenner and Cahill busy with their current cases, this place was practically Burton's one-man show. Ricky was worried that his old friend wouldn't be able to withstand the political pressure and would switch sides.
Ricky's arrival made Theodore realize that the situation outside was deteriorating rapidly. He doubted whether Ricky could actually hold them off for three hours.
Theodore lowered the blinds and quietly reminded Bernie to accelerate the pace of the interrogation.
Deputy Inspector Burton received a call from headquarters, demanding that he immediately release Paul Miller.
Ricky had a fierce argument with his old friend in the Deputy Inspector's office, desperately trying to stall for time.
But soon Burton's assistant came to inform him that there were visitors. The visitors were several councilors' staff members led by Keller, and they had brought a team of five lawyers.
Deputy Inspector Burton stopped arguing with Ricky, sighed deeply, and patted his old friend's shoulder. "Ricky, it's over."
He went out to greet the staff, buying Ricky time for what he hoped would be a dignified surrender.
But Ricky didn't want to surrender. Just then, Councilor Santos's call came in, his voice crackling with fury over the phone.
"Listen! Stop them! Don't let them take that son of a bitch! I'll be there right away!"
The interrogation was interrupted again.
Deputy Inspector Burton, Keller, and a small army of people appeared at the door of the interrogation room like an invading force.
Bernie instinctively stood up, his gaze stopping on Keller with undisguised contempt.
Keller met his gaze calmly, unashamed.
The lawyers filed in efficiently, immediately surrounding Paul Miller and quietly asking about the interrogation situation in hushed, professional tones.
Councilor Santos arrived a little later. He had run all the way from the parking lot, panting heavily, and blocked the door of the interrogation room like a human barricade.
Keller stepped forward to negotiate, wanting to take Paul Miller away. He was met with Bernie's open scorn.
Bernie spat on the ground with deliberate disgust.
"Bah! Rat!"
Keller maintained his practiced good manners, though his jaw tightened slightly. His gaze lingered on Ricky for a moment, then settled on Theodore. "Detective Dickson, you are a smart man. What do you think?"
Theodore pointed at Paul Miller, who was huddled among the protective circle of lawyers. "You should ask him."
Santos suddenly turned his head, eyes wide with anticipation.
Paul Miller, who had been silent all this time, suddenly pushed away the lawyers with violent force and lunged towards Theodore across the room.
"Aren't you the same!"
"You're just like me!"
"Why aren't you helping me!"
He was kicked down by Santos halfway through his desperate lunge, his shouting turning into a miserable cry as he hit the floor.
Santos, with red-rimmed eyes, kept kicking and stomping on Paul Miller with savage intensity until he was pulled away by the others who finally reacted to the violence.
He shook off the people restraining him, alternately crying and laughing like a man possessed. He threw his arms around Bernie and planted a huge, grateful kiss on Bernie's startled face.
____________
Want bonus chapters? Let's reach the goal together!
Goal:Â 200 â Achieved: 167 = 2 Bonus Chapter
đ 1 Power Stone on the Book Page = 100 on Chapter Pages!
!! VISIT the BOOK PAGE to donate your Power Stone.
Leave a REVIEW and drop a COMMENT!!
Also, get access to 270+ bonus chapters across all my stories.
đ patreon.com/Mr UmU
https://www.patreon.com/Mr_UmU