Star Building.
It was already seven o'clock in the evening when Lake returned. After turning on the lights in the house and getting a glass of wine, Lake walked to the balcony. Looking at the scene outside covered with snow, he couldn't help but smile.
New York is still better.
In the study.
The moment Lake walked in, he bent down, firmly grasped the grenade that had been unbolted and ready to explode, reinserted the pin, and played with the sweet potato produced by Stark Industries in his hand.
This is a defensive measure.
If anyone dared to enter the study when Lake was not at home, he would be bombarded with an explosion as powerful as a small rocket.
the next day.
After resting for almost a month, Lake returned to the New York Police Department on time. After receiving half an hour of law enforcement education in Montgomery's office, he successfully got his police badge back.
Serious Crime Unit 3.
Lake played with his police badge. The mission with George was over. He could finally be single again and find a way to find some black guys to come to the airport to rob other gangs.
but...
Lake had just turned to his office area in Zone 3. He blinked and looked at an extra desk in Zone 3. A familiar face sitting there fell silent.
Qiao looked up with a smile and greeted: "Hi."
"Hey...shit!"
Lake rolled his eyes, walked to his seat and said to Joe, "Why are you still here?"
Shouldn't this guy be looking for a report on George's team?
How come she's still on his side?
Joe shrugged and said, "You remember that you were suspended."
Lake nodded. "I know, but I've been reinstated. You can go to Group 1. George's side is all about the big scenes, and I'm just a small role here."
He is the only one in Group Three. Cases that Groups One and Two cannot handle will be assigned to him, or cases where the facts are clear and not worth wasting police resources.
Lake accepted all the offers. After all, sometimes, the choice of target for a robbery is very important. In big events like those, although a lot can be taken, there is a risk of being exposed.
A steady stream of water will last a long time, this is the right way.
Just like Lake never hesitates to take advantage of a thousand dollars to rob a gang, a mosquito is still meat no matter how small it is, and the lower the amount, the smaller the risk.
Qiao said, "I know. I originally wanted to join the group."
Lake said, "So?"
Joe handed a file to Lake and said, "It's a pity that I was delayed by this case."
Lake: "…"
In Joe's words, she wanted to go to Team One, but because Lake was suspended, Joe could only stay in Team Three temporarily. This case was handed over to Team Three three days ago, and Joe was the one who took over. Lake has returned now, but until this case is closed, Joe is still in Team Three of the Homicide and Serious Crime Unit.
so.
Joe looked at Lake and smiled, "If you really want me to go to Group 3, then we should solve this case together as soon as possible. That way, I can report to Group 1."
Lake said doubtfully, "Really."
This guy is not lying to him, is he? Is it because of the last time I wiped out the mutual aid society that I have become wise, brave, and righteous in his eyes?
Qiao nodded, his expression showing that he didn't want to tell a lie anymore: "I was transferred from the precinct to solve cases, not to sit in an office. So, even though you're a good partner, you're not what I want."
Lake nodded: "I understand."
Just have this sentence. It's just a homicide case. Even if the murderer can't be found, in order to get you to go to Group 1, I will invent a murderer for you and let you arrest and close the case.
Open the file.
The accidental murder of Howard Stark and Maria Stark!
Lake's face darkened as he looked up at Joe: "Are you kidding me?"
Is this a homicide?
This is an unsolved case.
wrong.
This is not an unsolved case at all. It is a closed case, and it was closed by the FBI.
What does the director want to do? Does he want to let the New York Police Department and the New York FBI compete with each other?
Also, this case is not an unsolved case for Lake. Lake also knows the murderer, Captain America's good friend, Hydra's good soldier, the Winter Soldier Bucky.
but...
Even if Lake knew about this case, he would not touch it. He still wants to make money from lotteries. If he solves this case, can he still live a good life?
fine.
Lake pointed at the file on the table towards Joe and said, "This case happened outside of New York, and outside of New York State. This case should be handled by the FBI."
"Not anymore."
"What?"
Joe looked at Lake with wide eyes: "You don't know yet?"
Lake was confused: "What should I know?"
What did I miss while I was away?
Joe shrugged and then started to share some basic knowledge with Lake.
Just a few days before Christmas Eve, the famous playboy, Tony Stark donated 200 million US dollars to the New York Police Department in his personal name at a fundraising reception held by the New York Police Department.
Of this, US$100 million is donated in cash and US$100 million is donated in kind.
Joe pointed to the office and said, "Look at the brand new coffee machine in the coffee room, which is worth thousands of dollars. Look at the brand new tables and chairs in the room. Look at our brand new computers and the freshly painted walls."
Lake followed Joe's finger's gaze.
You know what, he hadn't noticed it just now, but when he looked at it this way, he was surprised to see that the place had completely changed. If the previous office environment of the serious crime squad was a warehouse, then the current office environment was like being in the center of Wall Street.
"so..."
Lake came back to his senses and said to Joe, "Because of this money, the Director accepted Stark's bribe and is planning to reopen the Stark couple's death case in return for his kindness?"
Qiao thought for a moment and said, "Not entirely."
It turns out that money is omnipotent.
With this damn $200 million, not only can the New York Police Department not reopen the case of the accidental deaths of the Howards, it can even turn a blind eye to the Stark murder case, as long as the case procedure is not initiated.
...etc.
Lake came back to his senses and looked at Joe: "You just said, not all of it?"
Joe nodded and said, "Of course. Don't forget, the FBI has already closed this case. Even if the Director wants to reopen it, the FBI won't agree."
Lake nodded.
That's right.
Not to mention that this is an intercontinental case and it is a closed case. Even if it is an FBI cold case, it would be difficult for the New York Police Department to take it over, let alone a closed case and a case classified as an accidental car accident death.
The New York Police Department wants to restart, which is a slap in the face of the FBI. Moreover, it is stripping the FBI naked and hanging it up in public, and slapping it in the face repeatedly.
Can the FBI tolerate this, especially since they just got slapped in the face by Karen and are now furious?
Joe looked at Lake and said in a shocking tone, "But what if new evidence emerges now?"
Lake nodded.
There is new evidence, which is reason to restart.
...etc.
Lake came back to his senses, and this time it was his turn to widen his eyes: "New evidence?"
Joe nodded. "A possible witness."
Lake: "…"
…