“That’s roughly the situation now. As for what to choose next, let’s vote on it.”
After Father Tyrrell left, the three partners of the Detective Agency gathered in the room for a small meeting.
There were no chairs, so everyone sat on the floor with something beneath them. Around them were spread the newspapers bought today and the list Father Tyrrell had left, much like how the three of them first met in the small cabin in the wilderness.
The local church high-ranking officials dying one after another in the newspaper was truly too bizarre; it looked wrong no matter how you viewed it.
Wayne conjured up several scenarios, from “Dune Transformation” to “See You at Xuanwu Gate Tonight,” then from “Chenqiao Mutiny” to “Let My Grand-nephew See My Uncle’s Limit,” and even the “Altering the Edict” from the Nine Dragons Seizing the Heir.
But they all felt like something was missing—the church of America, surely it wouldn't be replicating the “North-South List Case,” would it?
Hiss…
It doesn’t seem impossible…
“Although that old codger isn't trustworthy, he doesn’t seem hostile for now. Our Detective Agency's business has just started, and the fast-food restaurant hasn’t even officially opened yet…”
Lina frowned as she looked at the newspaper, “I was still thinking of relying on the fast-food restaurant to lie back and earn from hotels in the future. If I have to open a hotel in your small town later, wouldn’t that be a bit too shabby?”
Don’t despise our Blackstone Town, ah no, it’s probably been renamed “Wichita” by now.
The urban population is relatively stable in these times, and people planning to relocate often prioritize renting. Wealthy southerners still commonly prefer staying at “friends’ homes” when visiting other places, while the major stations along the steam train lines might actually be the blue ocean market for luxury hotels, isn’t that right?
But Wayne wasn’t in a hurry to retort to Lina at this moment, because his personal opinion was largely similar to Lina’s; he also felt that running away now would be a bit of a loss.
Inessa was currently flipping through the list Father Tyrrell had left.
The list wasn’t short, but the information on it wasn't too detailed. Each line was basically a person’s name or nickname, plus their possible current town or address, followed by simple remarks.
Although Father Tyrrell said there were “criminal evidences” of those people on it, by Wayne’s standards, even if Father Tyrrell really had concrete human and material evidence, the content in these remarks could at most only be considered “charges.”
For example, “secretly participated in a certain attack in a certain year and month, causing so many casualties or losses,” or “did something to someone for such and such a reason, and is the true culprit of which case,” and so on.
Regardless of whether this content is true and credible, just from the paper, these people are not criminals who have already been convicted; they belong to the “dark side” that has been protected or covered up.
Many things were similar to Mr. Moliere's situation when he was attacked before. The perpetrator couldn't be found, the victim didn't report the case, and after the local police reviewed it, they felt the case “didn't need to be handled” or “couldn't be solved,” and the matter was considered “over.”
In short, it was four words—no bounty.
To actually want people to work for free, that old codger is very bad.
Inessa’s pace of turning pages became slower and slower, seemingly already considering how to proceed:
“If all this content is true, then these people do indeed need to be ‘cleaned up’… However, the content above may not be entirely true, and they may not all have subjective malice. It’s possible they simply acted according to orders. If we want to specifically verify and identify them, it might be quite difficult.”
…Well, from the Hunter Association’s purpose , Inessa, in such matters, seems to be the type who doesn’t mind “working for free.”
It feels like even if the Detective Agency doesn't follow, she might just go by herself…
Wayne pondered for a moment, “Since that’s the case, we temporarily won’t plan to retreat. The Detective Agency and fast-food restaurant businesses will continue to operate as planned, and the tasks Father Tyrrell gave us can be done slowly.”
No one objected, but the Detective Agency needed to consider more than just that.
Lina quickly asked two crucial questions: “Does the bank here in Virginia have business in Kankakee? Can their bank notes still be used in the west?”
This was indeed a good question. Wayne himself also felt that Father Tyrrell was not as trustworthy as Bishop Corleone.
Moreover, things had changed so suddenly now. Although the specific situation was unclear, if they didn't start considering a fallback plan when they felt the wind changing, they might really become fools.
He recalled for a moment, “The bank where we deposit is still reputable, and the corresponding bank notes can also be exchanged in the west. But the safest are still gold and silver coins, or finding an opportunity to exchange them for circulating goods.”
In fact, if something really happened, the real trouble wouldn't be with “bank notes,” but rather with how to “withdraw” the funds under their names.
America is so big; even paper money can always find a place to be spent. But if the account is frozen, it truly becomes a virtual “number.”
However, the Detective Agency hasn’t reached that point yet. Being prepared is good, but scaring themselves is unnecessary.
Wayne thought about it, “We should not make any overly abnormal moves for now, such as suddenly withdrawing all our deposits, as it’s easy to be misunderstood. Some things can be done slowly; being too hasty can cause problems.”
So the general direction was quickly determined. Objectively speaking, what Father Tyrrell offered was not just “risk”; it actually contained considerable “opportunity.”
He didn’t ask the Detective Agency to turn over spoils of war and extraordinary materials, and the extrajudicial privileges against those “hidden bad guys,” if used properly, would also benefit the Detective Agency’s business development.
However, the Detective Agency also needs to gradually start “decentralizing.” This isn’t to say they should be “a loose sand” or “bloom everywhere,” but rather to avoid “putting all their eggs in one basket,” lest they accidentally get wiped out in one go.
As for those “sinners” on the list…
Since the Detective Agency is now under someone else’s roof, and Inessa clearly has an inclination, then they will investigate them one by one.
If confirmed, those who truly deserve to die will be dealt with according to procedure, and at the very least, their stories should be published in newspapers so that victims and wronged good people can have their grievances redressed. As for those who are “unclear” or “have understandable reasons and difficulties”… they will see how it goes.
With their opinions unified here, the partners began to act separately.
Wayne planned to first visit Tom Hagen at the Cathedral—his name didn’t appear in the newspaper at all, so he was probably still alive.
Even if he couldn't get any inside information, as long as he could get a slight understanding of the current situation of this “old confidant by the bishop’s side,” seeing if he was dead or alive, in prison or on a sickbed, Wayne could roughly assess which historical anecdote’s plot the local church was currently following.
Inessa, meanwhile, found an case from the list that seemed easiest to verify. The incident time wasn't too long ago, the location was in Richmond, and she had seen corresponding news in the newspaper before.
She planned to go for an initial investigation while the Detective Agency’s “Special Investigator” status hadn’t expired, and when probably no one had the mind to pay attention to such small cases.
This was both to confirm the facts and to test the credibility of the list Father Tyrrell provided, so as not to be sold out and then help count the money.
Lina heard this and immediately puffed out her cheeks: “Why am I guarding the home again?”
Wayne patted her shoulder, “Your task is the most important. All our assets now depend on you to guard them. And besides planning the evacuation, you're not idle. Just like Inessa, you can also inquire about the current situation in Richmond from other channels. Just don’t run too far yourself.”
