Empire of Shadows

Our

Officer Lukar had been working on Kent’s (the small casino owner) case recently. This case had been flagged as a priority investigation by the Golden Port City Police Department because many people had died.

It sounds like… they attach great importance to it, but in fact, many cases have such labels, but most of them eventually fizzle out.

Some are because they really can’t find clues, while others have found clues, but can’t investigate further.

A very reputable detective once said that the most difficult cases to solve are random, indiscriminate murder cases, where the killer’s motive is simply due to some incomprehensible reason.

Such cases, if not enough evidence is left at the scene and there are not enough witnesses, are basically unsolvable.

As for those that cannot be investigated further, regardless of evidence or witnesses, they cannot be investigated.

This is why the rising water level of Angel Lake remains a mystery in the mouths of experts to this day; no one has really gone to the bottom of the lake to investigate.

Fortunately, Kent’s case could be investigated further because he had a brother who was a high-ranking gang executive. He could use many methods that the police couldn’t.

Look, now clues, motives, and witnesses are gradually surfacing.This contact with Lance was also a test. He wasn’t afraid of alerting Lance, because Will was following behind. If this matter was related to Lance, he would eventually reveal a flaw.

Lukar took a photo from his pocket and handed it to him. “Have you seen this person?”

The person in the photo was Kent. He was wearing a colorful shirt, a gold necklace, and standing on the street waiting to cross the road.

Lance looked at it twice, then shook his head, “Not familiar.”

Officer Lukar emphasized and repeated, “Not familiar?”

Lance returned the photo to him, “Heard of this person, operates a casino in the Imperial District.”

Officer Lukar put the photo back in his pocket. “He has a brother named Will, a high-ranking Camilla gang executive. Now he might be after you.”

As he said these words, he stared intently into Lance’s eyes, hoping to find a hint of panic.

But unfortunately, he failed, yet not completely. Because Lance’s eyes were very calm, as if this news brought him no surprise.

A businessman, if he was truly just an ordinary businessman, would certainly be alarmed when he heard that a notorious local gang was starting to cause trouble for him.

Even if Lance himself ran a financial company suspected of loan sharking.

This showed that he might have been prepared or had anticipated this. He must have had intricate ties to the case, and it was even possible that he was involved.

Officer Lukar found it hard to imagine the scene when he coincidentally met Lance that day. The young man in the sunlight exuded a surging youthful energy, but now he was linked to crime.

How could a person be so complex?

Or rather, could criminals truly display such a bright and clear side?

He didn’t know. Even though he had seen many criminals, he had no experience to draw upon with Lance.

Lance said in a joking manner, “Is it still too late to call the police now?”

Officer Lukar was somewhat astonished; this response exceeded all his expectations. He didn’t even know what to say or how to say it.

After about three to five seconds, he regained his composure. “Of course, seeking police protection is your right, Lance, but the Golden Port City police force is limited, and we can’t protect you indefinitely.”

“These hungry wolves are circling you. One day you’ll expose a weakness. So, if you know why he’s targeting you, tell me, maybe I can help you!”

Lance shook his head, indicating he didn’t know. “Maybe it’s because I’ve made some money recently?”

Wrong answer!

Officer Lukar showed a slight smile, “Alright, it seems you’re really not clear, but be careful recently. He’s completely mad because of his brother’s death.”

He left a phone number for Lance. “This is my office number. Someone answers 24 hours a day. Call me anytime you’re in trouble; I’ll definitely be there within twenty minutes.”

Lance didn’t refuse. He took the slip of paper with the phone number on it, glanced at it, and said jokingly, “No wonder the climax of movies is often in the last twenty minutes.”

Seeing Officer Lukar’s somewhat puzzled look, he explained with a smile, “You always show up in the last three minutes!”

He understood, and after a moment of stunned laughter, his smile froze slightly.

He gave Lance a meaningful look, patted his arm, “Interesting joke, but remember to call me, if you’re willing,” he said, shaking his head as he left.

He already sensed that there would be a showdown between Lance and Will, but he didn’t know when, where, or how.

Lance drove off without returning to the office, heading directly to Alberto’s place. He got straight to the point, “I need a batch of weapons.”

Alberto had been making a lot of money lately, and Lance’s wine had given him a lot of face in front of Mr. Pasquale, and he had also received many benefits, so he was exceptionally enthusiastic towards Lance.

“No problem, let Fordis take you to get them. I can give you a friend’s price.”

“Do you have submachine guns?”

Alberto paused for a moment, “Yes, but are you sure you want this?”

“If you use it in the city, you’ll definitely have to pay some price. You know, the public will be afraid.” The best way to soothe the public’s fear is to capture the “criminals.” As for whether they captured the right ones, that’s not important.

Like Big Polly, many people knew he was sweeping a passerby with a submachine gun from a second-story window, but when someone claimed to have done it themselves, the police didn’t investigate further.

On one hand, they were also afraid of retaliation from such madmen, and on the other hand, he had paid enough “price.” Those two scoundrels would very likely be in there for five to ten years.

Even if he found a way to get them out, it would be years later.

Using the freedom of two people, adding up to over ten years, to soothe the uneasy public sentiment, was enough.

Lance shook his head, “I’ll be careful.”

Alberto looked at him for a moment. “Are you in trouble?”

“Small trouble.”

He offered, “If you need my help, just ask. Even if I can’t solve it, Mr. Pasquale can help you.”

“In this city, his word carries more weight than the mayor’s.”

“And he’s been wanting to meet you for a long time.”

Repeatedly refusing someone’s kindness is in itself impolite, so this time, Lance did not refuse, but added a precondition, “After I solve this problem, I will personally visit Mr. Pasquale.”

Alberto nodded, “I’ll tell him.”

Then he picked up the phone and told Fordis to come over and take Lance to the armory.

There was a reason why the Summurians were not easily bullied in the Federation. Submachine guns, rifles, grenades, and even landmines—these things opened Lance’s eyes. This could completely equip a small infantry unit!

“All are fine weapons. If you don’t want to use them after you’re done, you can bring them back, and we’ll buy them back at 60% off.”

The bearded man looked serious, and Lance said with a smile, “It’s a pity you’re not a businessman.”

He had an indifferent expression, “This is business!”

Six submachine guns Lance didn’t recognize, twenty Macgregor 1212 semi-automatic pistols, and corresponding ammunition.

It is worth noting that these submachine guns also used pistol ammunition; they could be mixed, which reduced the burden of logistics. Although these few items were not much of a burden, let alone logistical pressure.

For these items, Lance paid two thousand two hundred dollars. The bearded man also gave Lance an additional fragmentation grenade as a gift. “I hope you don’t have to use it.”

Lance patted the bearded man’s arm, “I’ll come back to you later.”

When the two walked to the garage, Fordis pulled Lance to the corner. “In trouble?”

“Small problem,” Lance offered him a cigarette, “Camilla gang people.”

Fordis lit his cigarette and took a puff. “They’re like bedbugs. Alberto must have told you, if you need anything, give us a call!”

“You’re always our friend, Lance.”

Lance hugged him, “Small difficulties are like stones by the roadside; just step over them. After I solve this problem, I’ll have something else to ask of you.”

Fordis didn’t ask why, just said, “I’ll wait for you.”

After returning to the company with a car full of dangerous goods, Lance gathered everyone who had nothing to do.

“Kent’s brother, Will, has recently found us. They’re different from the police.”

“The police won’t move against me without evidence, even if they know we did it.”

“But Will is different. He’s from the Camilla gang. He won’t wait for evidence like the police before acting against us, so we must be prepared, and even take him out before he acts against us.”

Ennio had been spacing out. Lance walked over, grabbed the back of his neck, and patted it. “What are you dazing about?”

His expression wasn’t good; he forced a smile. “Sorry, it’s my fault. I…”

Lance pushed him, and caught off guard, he almost fell to the ground, stumbling several steps before regaining his balance.

Lance pointed at him and said forcefully, “We are family. Don’t talk to me like that. Your trouble is my trouble. If it’s my trouble, then solve it!”

Lance’s words sparked a sense of guilt in Ennio, but also a desire to fight.

He nodded vigorously, “No… sorry, yes, we’ll solve it together.”

Lance laboriously took the travel bag full of weapons from the car, threw it on the table, and unzipped it.

Looking at the weapons inside, and the boxes of bullets, everyone gasped in unison, and at the same time, a feeling of courage and strength grew within them!

(End of this chapter)