LVPD.
Because of the overt and covert relationship, the process of recording the confession was extremely quick and concise.
Then Dean and Gretchen came to the interrogation room where the prisoners were held, and observed through the glass window the performance of the child abductor with his hands cuffed and sitting on a high stool.
"Grew Stone, 28 years old, graduated with a master's degree in economics from Rio de Janeiro University, a serious top student, how could he end up kidnapping children?"
Dean flipped through the transcript and looked at Gerrich in confusion. The detective did not respond. He supported the table with both hands, leaned slightly and stared at the silent face behind the glass window. After announcing his identity, he made a phone call. After that, no matter how the police asked, the guy didn't speak.
"And don't you think his behavior is strange?" Gretchen circled her black hair with her index finger, "There is no tension or fear at all, just as relaxed as at home. In Nevada, child kidnapping is never a small crime, even if If the attempt fails, you may also be sentenced to ten or eight years."
But soon, several people knew where Gru's confidence came from. Less than an hour after he entered the police station, a lawyer in a suit and ties carrying a black briefcase entered the interrogation room and neatly took out a large pile of documents. ,
"Shet!" Gerich's entire face turned dark instantly, looking as ugly as if he had eaten a fly.
"This lawyer has a good background?" Dean glanced over. The guy was about forty years old, with sunken eyes, a big and straight nose, each strand of auburn hair neatly combed, and his back was like He was as straight as steel bars, with deep nasolabial wrinkles appearing on the side of his nose. He had the air of a business elite, but also had a reckless gangster air.
"Vladimir Ilyich Pushkin is a disgusting troublemaker. If he can be invited to take action, Gru's identity is not simple, and the case will be troublesome."
Gerich sighed and turned to the two of them.
"There's nothing else for you to do next. The visit will end here. You can go back and continue dating."
"Let us stay a little longer," Gretchen begged reluctantly, "I want to see what happens to this kidnapper!"
"If he doesn't leave, I'll put Thomas in detention for a month!" Gerrich immediately puffed his beard and glared. He was obviously the kind of police detective who didn't allow outsiders to interfere in the case.
The two left reluctantly, and Dean secretly memorized the names of the criminals and lawyers.
…
If they had followed the original plan, Dean and Gretchen would have driven to the countryside in the afternoon to find a quiet lawn to bask in the sun, and have a hearty practice in fighting skills. However, after experiencing such a kidnapping case, both of them lost interest and separated. go home.
Dean pulled out the business card of Luc Will, the lawyer in charge of Abby's case, called him and explained his purpose.
"Vladimir Ilyich Pushkin? A red-haired man with a big nose?" Lucville's surprised voice came from the microphone,
"Yes, it's him."
"Vladimir is a hyena who loves money. As long as he is given enough money, he will take on the case." Lucville's voice was very subtle, like a compliment and a criticism. "He will do whatever it takes to win the defense, and he can go to extreme lengths." Human beings are capable of telling lies, taking advantage of loopholes in the law, creating evidence without evidence, and are also good at attacking opponents and launching a 'fatal blow' from various unexpected angles. If the opponent collapses first, he will naturally win without a fight."
Dean frowned.
"So, his case success rate is very high. So the reward he demands is quite high, right?"
"That's a good analysis. Most families can't afford him. His customers are either rich or expensive."
Dean's head flashed, "Have you ever heard of the name Gru Stone?"
"I have an impression that there is a billionaire real estate businessman in Las Vegas named Leighton Stone, and Gru Stone, if I remember correctly, is the young master of this real estate businessman."
"you sure?"
"Yes. People in our industry often participate in various social activities. I happened to meet Stone's family at a dinner party and took a photo together."
Dean's eyes showed surprise.
As a rich second generation, Gru Stone is obviously not short of money, so it is impossible for him to stun Tim Cambage just for business.
Moreover, he carries a gun with him, and when things go wrong, he pulls out the gun and shoots. If someone else faced him, he would be seriously injured even if he didn't die. His vigilance and ruthlessness were unlike that of an ordinary rich second generation.
Dean felt a desire to explore - why did Gru kidnap a child?
There is a high probability that there is a second incident hidden here.
But the other party is currently detained in lvpd and under multiple supervisions. It is inconvenient for me to use super powers to deal with him.
Have to wait patiently.
…
"Mr. Lucville, you have helped me a lot." Dean said, "How much should I pay you?"
"The remuneration is waived. You didn't ask for legal advice and just treated it as a friend. Oh, no, it should be a chat between future colleagues. By the way, I'm sorry that you asked me about David Lee last time. I can’t save him, so I can only make it a little easier for him in prison.”
"Thank you for your hard work. I will ask you to sign a contract next year."
Lucville smiled happily, "So, what crime did Gru Stone commit to bring out that hyena?"
Dean thought for a few seconds and told everything about what happened today.
"Tsk, tsk, you can catch the child kidnapper in ten minutes. You are more capable than I expected. But listen, Dean, I know you have a sense of justice, but I advise you not to get involved in this case again."
"Because of Vladimir?"
"No, because of Gru's family, his parents who are engaged in real estate, other businessmen, lawyers, and media in their same circle...including their good friend Donald, the owner of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in New York State, and politicians who have received donations from them , will help Gru get out of crime, and use their amazing financial resources and influence, as well as their own rules and regulations, to crush any stumbling blocks."
Lucville paused,
"And you, Dean, I don't mean to be disparaging in any way. You haven't graduated from high school yet. You have no money and no power. You can't take huge risks to try a boring rich kid for a case that has no adverse effects." generation."
"Just let it go."
Dean was slightly moved by these simple and profound words, so he pretended to cover it up.
"I understand. This incident will end here. I will take my leave and wish you a happy holiday."
…
The next two days lead into the Thanksgiving holiday.
Dean didn't want to be frivolous, so he privately asked Holden to help investigate Gru Stone's family background.
Father Leighton Stone, mother Shannon Stone, two brothers, and one sister, a total of six people, live together in a manor north of Las Vegas.
In addition, he heard bad news at Holden’s house——
"After 48 hours in custody, Gru Stone was released without charge. This noble man should be home now and enjoying a party to wash away his dust."
Holden turned on the TV and switched the channel. On the screen, a tall and handsome old man in a blue striped suit with short platinum hair was cutting the ribbon for a newly built building with a smile on his face. Next to him, there were a bunch of people standing. The middle-aged man had the fake, people-friendly smile of someone in a high position.
"Grew's father, Leighton Stone, was standing next to the mayor and the president of the Architectural Association...did you see anything?"
"A rich person who knows a few politicians can kidnap children without responsibility?" Dean sat next to Holden, opened a can of juice, and looked at the smiling faces carefully.
"Who said Gru was a child kidnapper?" Holden shook his head jokingly, "He just mistakenly recognized the wrong person...mistook Tim Cambage for his long-lost brother."
"Sounds too coincidental? But it's true. The Stone family has a young son, Reggie Stone, whose whereabouts were unknown ten years ago. Judging from old photos, he looks exactly like Tim."
"Gru missed his younger brother and became ill. When he saw Tim's familiar appearance, he couldn't help but dress up as a puppet to play with him, and then warmly invited him home as a guest."
"Do you believe this kind of nonsense? That pervert obviously used anesthesia to stun Tim and sneaked out of the safe passage with him in a doll suit." Dean said with a look of disgust, "He didn't get the permission of the guardian. Taking Tim away privately is not abduction, what is it?”
"No, Tim changed his story and said that he remembered it wrong. He agreed to go home with Gru at that time, and he deliberately hid in the doll suit to prepare a prank." Holden shook his head and sighed, "In addition, Tim's parents felt that Gru Out of love for his brother, he understood what Gru had done and dropped the lawsuit against him."
A kidnapper got away with it so openly?
Dean frowned in disbelief.
"Gru shot me with a gun in the safe passage. Isn't it illegal?"
"Stop worrying about this. If you continue to pursue the case, you will be the one who pulls out the gun and shoots!" Holden warned seriously, "I remind you that there were only three people in the safe passage at that time, and there were two on Gru's side. Personal ID—himself plus Tim, you’re the only one, and you still have your fingerprints on the gun.”
There was a sudden silence in the room, and the air suddenly became as thick as mud, making it difficult to breathe.
Dean's pupils shrank, a sarcastic smile appeared on his face, and he crushed the juice can with his right hand, and the juice burst out and splashed all over the table, floor and t-shirt.
It had only been two days, but a certain result had been completely reversed, which in turn threatened the safety of a brave man like himself.
Is this a society governed by the rule of law?
Holden put his hands on the table, turned his head to look at him, and said meaningfully,
"Just yesterday, the father of the kidnapped child Tim was promoted to manager of the sales department, and his mother also changed to a well-paying and easy job."
"From now on, you should re-understand the basic rules of human society - there is no trouble that cannot be solved with money and power. No matter how ugly the facts are, they can be covered up and even reverse right and wrong."
Dean looked straight at him, "So, for the sake of profit, a pair of parents can even forgive the murderer who hurt their child?"
"The key is that Tim did not suffer any substantial harm, but instead brought tangible benefits to the family." Holden said in an erratic tone, "And who can tell that Gru took Tim away not because he missed himself? Brother?"
Dean was silent.
…
"Man, I've seen this kind of fucking case with no lower limit countless times. The ideals and passion of some of my former colleagues have been wiped out in this way. I have tried hard, but I can't change it, not even the president of this country. There is nothing I can do." Holden sighed and held his shoulders, "Sometimes when you are a little confused, you can live a more free life."
"If you insist on continuing to uphold justice and show kindness, this kindness will be too cheap."
Cheap kindness.
Dean rubbed his face vigorously and smiled.
"You're right, I shouldn't meddle in other people's business. From now on, whether they live or die has nothing to do with me. Now, let these ungrateful pieces of shit go to hell!"
"Let's talk about something happy." Dean threw Holden a small blue gift box. "A holiday gift, it's not a valuable item, just accept it."
"Thomas said you weren't going to have Thanksgiving."
"But I won't force it on others."
"You are thoughtful." Holden smiled with emotion, "This is the only gift I have received in recent years."
"Only I can understand a chatty older bachelor like you."
Dean bid farewell to Holden, who looked relieved, and walked into the deep dusk outside the window.
He still had some accounts to settle with Gru.
(End of chapter)
