National security comes before truth?
Oh.
This sentence is just a polite remark.
When Lake was enforcing the law, he often said, "I have no sympathy for evil," which is of similar quality to this sentence.
I don't care about national security.
What Lao Tzu pursues is the clarity of thought.
Whoever provokes me, I will fight back.
This is why Lake plays two roles and tells the news to the reporter, allowing him to detonate it.
Langley now has only two options.
Be a scapegoat.
Or...
Sell the SHIELD.
Besides, even if they wanted to take a third way, Lake would not give them a third way.
The same thing.
I warned you before, but you didn't listen. So don't blame me for being cruel.
at the moment.
Lake said this not only to remind Rachel that she was in danger, but also to the two FBI agents behind him.
seeing is believing.
Look.
I am wholeheartedly concerned about national security. Anyone who dares to endanger national security is my enemy.
so.
Lake pulled out a pair of handcuffs.
Rachel narrowed her eyes: "This is..."
Lake shrugged. "Ms. Armstrong, do you understand your current situation?"
Rachel frowned: "I'm not an official."
After this report came out, someone told her early this morning that the Federal Department of Justice had urgently dispatched a prosecutor, who was going through the process of becoming a special prosecutor to conduct a full investigation into the leak of the agent's identity.
Lake said, "I don't know who the informant is who provided you with this information, but you are in danger. I guess after this meeting, federal agents will find you and ask you to go. So, why don't you come with me?"
It involves leaking the identities of federal agents, which can also be considered a potential threat to national security.
Lake asked Rachel to go back and investigate.
Very reasonable.
It's going to happen.
The two federal investigators who had been following behind and eavesdropping on Rachel's phone looked at each other, quickened their pace, and prepared to ask Rachel to go back to assist in the investigation.
Lake laughed and said, "If you don't believe me, look behind and see if the FBI is here."
Rachel turned and looked.
really.
The two federal agents had already shown their credentials: "Rachel Armstrong..."
Rachel quickly turned around, grabbed Lake's handcuffs skillfully, and handcuffed one end to her own hand.
interesting.
Lake raised an eyebrow.
The two agents behind him seemed a little dumbfounded.
Come closer.
"Rachel..."
"etc."
Lake interrupted directly, showing his Homeland Security badge, and said with a smile: "You are late. Ms. Rachel Armstrong is suspected of a case endangering national security. I will ask her to go back and investigate. You can wait until next time."
A federal agent said, "Assistant Director Edwin, this is not..."
Lake interrupted again, "It's against the rules. My name appeared in the Sun, and it must have spread all over Washington. Who told her about my involvement in this case? I'll investigate. Is this against the rules? Or do you want me to recuse myself?"
Another federal agent asked cautiously, "Avoid suspicion?"
Lake smiled.
This federal agent really dared to agree with what he said.
Lake looked at the federal agent. "Newly hired?"
The federal agent nodded.
Lake shook his head speechlessly and looked directly at the talkative federal agent: "If you need someone, have the Attorney General contact our Minister Kelly."
Finished.
Lake looked directly at Rachel next to him: "Let's go, Ms. Armstrong, to the Homeland Security Building for some coffee?"
An hour later.
Homeland Security Building.
Lake took Rachel Armstrong out of the car, showed her ID, and then led Rachel Armstrong directly to an interrogation room.
The interrogation room was no different from any other.
Lake brought in two cups of coffee from outside, handed one to Rachel, took a sip and said, "The coffee here is terrible, please forgive me."
Rachel forced a smile and said, "Can I call my lawyer?"
Lake spread his hands: "Of course, in fact, you can leave if you want, but the federal agents are probably waiting outside the building."
Rachel: "…"
I finally have the chance to experience the role of the ultimate insider.
Lake thought so in his heart. From the first day he joined the law enforcement agency, he had been thinking that one day he would be able to investigate himself. This time, his wish finally came true.
"Bang, bang!"
"Come in."
A Homeland Agent pushed open the door and said to Lake, who was sitting on his chair, "Assistant Director Edwin, the Minister asked you to see him in his office."
Lake nodded, then looked at Rachel across from him: "Look, the Attorney General called. You'll be more comfortable here with me. You won't want to leave."
Get up.
Lake said to the homeland agent, "Watch this! Unless she gets out on her own, I'll block anyone who tries. If all else fails, I can just say the key to the door is broken inside. If she's taken away by the FBI, I can't do anything to the FBI, but I can fire you."
The Homeland Agent opened his mouth.
This...has nothing to do with me.
Minister's Office.
Lake knocked on the door and came in, greeting Minister Kelly: "Good morning, Minister."
Secretary Kelly said angrily, "Why are you in Washington when you're not in New York?"
"I took a vacation. Karen wanted me to come back and spend Independence Day with her. You can verify this with Karen. I definitely didn't come here voluntarily. Karen said she would cut off ties with me if I didn't come back."
"…"
Minister Kelly certainly wouldn't go to Karen to verify, and directly changed the subject: "What's going on with the female reporter in the interrogation room? Are you crazy? Bring her here?"
Lake said, "It's suspected that they leaked the identity of a Langley agent, endangering national security. Langley has no domestic law enforcement authority, and the FBI's authority to investigate national security is under our Department of Homeland Security. This case, if we want it, it belongs to us, right?"
This was all calculated.
otherwise...
If it weren't for this function, Lake would have lost his temper with the female Langley agent when he was in New York.
Minister Kelly pointed to the phone and said, "The Attorney General just called me and wants us to move."
Lake shrugged. "If the Minister feels that this case endangers national security and that our Department of Homeland Security cannot handle it, I can transfer the person to the FBI."
Minister Kelly's face turned black: "Don't provoke me with words."
Lake raised his hand: "I dare not."
Minister Kelly took a deep breath. "The White Building is very concerned about this matter. Agent Langley's identity has been leaked, and the Department of Justice has appointed a special prosecutor to investigate this matter. Let me ask you, how long will it take you to get the name of the leaker from the female reporter downstairs?"
Lake checked the time on his watch. "It's 10:40 AM now, so... within ninety-six hours, how about that?"
Minister Kelly: "…"
At least let the bullets fly for a while.
Secretary Kelly blinked, seemingly unresponsive. When he came to his senses, his face darkened even further. "You have thirty-six hours. If you can't get the name, hand him over to the FBI. Langley already suspects you leaked the information."
Lake said sternly, "This is blatant slander. There was only one copy of the transfer order, and the one from the Department of Homeland Security is well-kept in the New York archives. The entire process, from the copying to the return to the archives, was recorded and can be checked."
Minister Kelly was too lazy to say anything else and simply waved his hand at Lake: "Remember, thirty-six hours."
Lake said, then turned and left.
The corners of the mouth are curved upwards.
look.
This is the so-called broken house effect.
This is what Mr. Lu Xun said. People are very reasonable. For example, if you want to open a window in a room, the owner of the house may not agree. But if you suggest that you just lift up the roof to let in light, he will agree to your request to open a window.
In the interrogation room.
Lake looked at the Homeland Agent who was standing like a statue at the door. "How's he? Is he still here?"
The Homeland Agent nodded. "Her lawyer went in."
Lake hummed, pushed the door open and walked in.
Rachel, who was talking to the newspaper's lawyer, and her lawyer looked up at Lake who came in.
Lake looked at his watch and said, "Let's go out in an hour."
Rachel and the newspaper lawyer were stunned: "What?"
Lake shrugged and said, "The Department of Homeland Security has accepted this leak, which threatens national security. As long as you tell me who the whistleblower is, you can leave. I won't bother you, and neither will the FBI."
Rachel shook her head and said, "But I don't know my informant."
Professor X?
This name sounds like it was made up.
Lake smiled and said, "It's okay, I know."
"What?"
"Don't believe it?"
Lake put his hands in his pockets and said calmly, "The Lincoln Memorial is under surveillance, Ms. Armstrong. Besides, the Department of Homeland Security has a team of lip-reading experts. It won't be difficult to analyze it."
Moreover, the clone has appeared in front of the surveillance camera.
The same thing.
Lake just wanted to send out the report through Rachel and had no intention of tricking the reporter. Who knows if Rachel would refuse to reveal the name of the whistleblower due to professional ethics.
If Rachel doesn't say anything when questioned by the FBI, haha, she will probably be imprisoned. If Rachel doesn't say anything in court, she will be directly imprisoned for contempt of court. This cycle will repeat itself over and over again. It will be no problem for her to be imprisoned for a year or two.
If Lake's incident causes any crisis in other people's families.
Lake couldn't bear it.
so.
An hour later.
Rachel and her lawyer left the Homeland Security Building in a daze.
"Get me the surveillance footage from the Lincoln Memorial from three days ago. Also, get some lip-reading experts."
"yes."
Lake walked into the headquarters' combat command center and had just given a few instructions when a man who claimed to be a special prosecutor walked in.
As soon as you enter the door.
Special Prosecutor Patton, who looked very arrogant at first glance, said directly to Lake: "Assistant Director Edwin, where are my people..."
Lake looked at Patton and said, "I haven't caught anyone yet. When I catch him, it will be time for you, the prosecutor, to show up. Now, go cool off."
Patton: "…"
Can you give me a full subscription?