The Shadow of Great Britain

39: Chapter 1 King Arthur’s Round Table Knights 39: Chapter 1 King Arthur’s Round Table Knights The rain outside the window had gradually dimmed, and the Greenwich Police District meeting was also coming to an end.

“Dismissed.”

As the doors to the meeting room swung open, the faces of the departing captains all bore wry smiles.

“Seems like our jobs are about to get even tougher!”

“Focusing future efforts on major cases, has Superintendent Arthur gone a bit too far with his fantasies?”

“We’re already short on manpower as it is, barely managing our routine patrols.

Cases like murder, poisoning, those energy-draining investigations, are better left to those professional Thief Catchers and detectives, aren’t they?”

“When all is said and done, it’s because they pay us too little, those Thief Catchers and detectives take on a big job, they can make dozens, even hundreds of pounds.

Us, we earn twelve shillings a week; the lads below us hardly take their patrolling to heart, let alone taking on other assignments.”

“However, if what Superintendent Arthur said is true, as long as we can nail a few key cases, we could get a twenty-five percent raise for everyone, then we really might just grit our teeth and push through.”

“So, we do what he says and take Fred out first?

Has his lot been active in your district lately?”

“Active?

It’s more than just active, who can count how many people are under ‘The General of Thieves’ Fred’s command?

“Half the thieves in the East End of London could be tied to him.

Either they are his underlings or they are fencing their stolen goods through his connections.

“Haven’t you heard the saying?

Stolen something and need a place to stash, General Fred will help in a flash.

Snatched something and need to evade, head to General Fred’s hiding trade.”

“To tell you the truth, I’ve wanted to find a chance to deal with him for a long time.

Forget it, let’s put in the effort, brothers, and take care of that son of a bitch Fred!

Without him, at least we would have a little less to worry about during patrols.”

As they talked, the captains gradually walked away.

Only Captain Jones remained on the spot, his expression seeming a bit off.

“Fred…”

Suddenly, a hand clapped onto his shoulder.

“You don’t look too well, do you?”

Arthur’s face appeared from behind him, “Do you need me to give you a few days off?”

Jones shuddered with fright, quickly replying, “No need.

I’ve just taken my post, taking sick leave wouldn’t be appropriate.

Just got caught in the rain, a good sleep at home will sort it out.”

Hearing this, Arthur nodded slightly, then immediately pulled out a document from his coat and handed it to him.

“If it’s nothing, then I’ll have to ask you to make a trip to Scotland Yard.

This contains today’s meeting minutes for archiving, and since your district is the closest, please have someone deliver it when you’re not busy.”

“Yes, sir!

I will go right now!”

Jones saluted and then hurriedly left the scene.

Arthur watched his retreating figure, chin in hand, deep in thought.

The Red Devil materialized quietly and mysteriously, “Arthur?”

“What is it?”

The Red Devil grinned, rubbing his hands, “With so many criminal organizations in London, why do you insist on targeting Fred?”

Arthur arched an eyebrow, “Are you playing dumb?

Wilcox’s investigation report states that he made off with forty guns from Scotland Yard and smuggled a large amount of stolen goods.

“Two days ago, Fred’s men were involved in a shootout at the docks, wasn’t that a little too coincidental?

“So, I am convinced that some of the goods Wilcox took must have ended up in Fred’s hands.

“Launching an investigation into him is completely within reason.”

Agares smiled slyly, “But as for whether Wilcox is actually on the run afraid of his crimes, don’t we both know the truth?”

Arthur snorted, “If the report says so, then that’s the case, I only acknowledge the official documents of Scotland Yard.”

“You’re not planning to dig deeper?”

“Dig deeper?”

Arthur looked coldly at the Red Devil and asked, “What if I really do find out something, what then?”

“If you’re afraid of uncovering the truth, why bother moving against Fred?

Aren’t you afraid someone will go after you?”

Arthur donned his top hat and adjusted his cuffs, “To bring in the most sought-after star of Scotland Yard for a mere infamous thief leader?”

“I’m convinced those people must have more than one way to dispose of stolen goods.

If he only comes to Fred, then I really have no reason to be afraid of him.

How influential can a person be if he can only work with a thief leader?”

With that said, Arthur took strides towards the door, walking into the rain outside the police station.

Agares asked, “Where are you off to?”

“Since I have decided to focus on major cases, serious cases, and murder cases in the future, I naturally need to supplement some medical knowledge.

I’ve arranged to meet Charles at a nearby coffee shop, I need to have a good talk with him.”

“Which Charles are you talking about?”

“Of course, the Charles who studied medicine for a year at the University of Edinburgh!”

…

While Arthur was off to the coffee shop, Chief Inspector Jones had already returned to his own precinct.

He sat in what used to be Wilcox’s office, looking at the rain outside the window, his mood indescribably complex.

Knock knock knock!

A round of knocking at the door.

“Come in.”

Officer Dennis pushed the door open and entered.

“Have a seat.”

Jones smiled as he poured Dennis a steaming hot cup of tea and thoughtfully added a cube of sugar before pushing the cup in front of him, “It’s cold today, have some tea to warm up.”

Officer Dennis looked somewhat uneasy, with his hands on his knees, seemingly not quite accustomed to sitting down in front of his superior.

“Chief Inspector, did you want to see me about something?”

“Oh, it’s nothing much.”

Jones said with a smile, “It’s just that I heard you were the last person to see Wilcox before he went missing.

So, I wanted to ask you if you know where he has gone.”

Dennis bit his lip, “Regarding this question, I, I have already made a detailed report to Scotland Yard.

I only know that the last time Chief Inspector Wilcox was seen, he was carrying a cavalry sabre and dressed in plain clothes heading south.

As for where he specifically went, I have no clue.”

Jones nodded, “Indeed, your description matches exactly what I saw at Scotland Yard, you have not changed your story.”

Dennis let out a small sigh of relief, “Then, may I leave now?

It’s raining today, and the patrol route is tough to navigate.

I should get to my duty early.”

“Of course, I’m delighted to see such great enthusiasm for work.”

Upon hearing this, Dennis stood up and said, “Then, goodbye, Chief Inspector.”

He was about to leave, pulling open the door, when suddenly, Jones’s voice rose again, “Wait a moment.”

Jones rested his head on his hand, which was propped up on the desk, and pointed to the cup of tea on the desk, “Are you sure you don’t want some tea?

You seem to be shivering a little; is it because the weather is too cold?”

Dennis’s heart tightened slightly, but he still feigned composure, “No worry, Chief Inspector, I can handle it.”

“Alright then.”

Jones smiled, “But before you go, I just want to say something.

If you don’t know about certain things now, it’s best to remain that way in the future.

If one day you suddenly come to know, it could put everyone in a difficult position.”

Dennis calmly responded, “Mr.

Jones, what are you talking about?”

Jones’s smile brightened, “I said you may leave, Officer Dennis.”

Dennis turned and walked out the door, which shut behind him, feeling a great sense of relief.

His lips moved slightly, seemingly making sounds no one could hear.

Only a top lip-reading expert could decipher the meaning behind his words.

“Betraying Arthur once was already more than enough.”