Chapter 62 I'm a Good Person

"Why were you arrested? Let's talk as we walk."

Dropping his jacket and patting the dust off his pants, Carter began walking towards the parking lot.

Kazim glanced back at the clothes Carter had casually thrown on the ground before hurriedly catching up with him, showing some reluctance.

"Because I was selling leaves."

Seeing Carter get into the car without starting the engine, Kazim hesitated for a moment before opening the passenger door and getting in.

"Getting caught for selling leaves is no small matter. It might be tough to deal with."

"If it wasn't tough, why would I ask a white guy like you for help?"

There was no fault in that statement!

Carter felt a bit stung by it and then started the car.

"Take me to your place first. We can discuss while we're there. Do you know who arrested your dad? If it's the city police, it might be manageable. But if it's the narcotics bureau, I might not have any good solutions."

"I don't know, but I know who might know the truth."

Following Kazim's directions, Carter drove to the black neighborhood on the west side of the city. It was Carter's first time in the black area, and as he drove along, he noticed many black people eyeing his car warily from the roadside. Perhaps seeing Kazim in the passenger seat prevented them from making any aggressive moves. After passing a couple of road bumps acting as speed bumps, Carter parked the car in front of Kazim's house. Then, he followed Kazim inside.

"Kazim, who's this?"

Seeing her son bring back a white classmate, Kazim's mom was somewhat surprised and unsure.

"He's Carter, Carter Blake. My classmate, and also the manager of the bank in town. Only he can help with Dad's situation."

"Okay, okay. Well then, Mr. Blake, please have a seat! And Kazim, were you guys bullied?"

Hastily inviting Carter to sit down, Kazim's mom suddenly noticed the dirt and disarray on both their clothes, which couldn't be easily wiped away just by patting.

"Who did this to you? Didn't Boris and the others help you?!"

Boris was also black, part of their little group at school. Hearing Kazim nearly exposing himself about not asking for help despite being able to, Kazim felt a bit embarrassed and glanced discreetly at Carter. Seeing that Carter didn't seem to realize this, he quickly changed the subject:

"Mom, let's talk about that later. Right now, the most important thing is to get Dad out. Why don't you entertain Carter first? I'll go call Uncle Boris and Uncle Duleedric. Carter needs to know who exactly arrested Dad; it's crucial!"

"Okay, you go quickly! They should be at home; I saw them just now."

Kazim's mom agreed repeatedly. As Kazim was about to leave, he greeted Carter and instructed his younger brother not to cause trouble for Carter, then hurriedly walked out the door.

As Carter silently observed this scene, he could see some resemblance between Kazim and himself.

When the mother couldn't handle things, only the male head of the household could take charge. While Carter pondered, a black boy of around seven or eight suddenly ran up to him and asked earnestly:

"Carter, my brother said you'd help us. But you're white, why would you help us black people?"

"Calim! Don't be rude to the guest. Go back to your room!"

From the kitchen, Kazim's mother scolded.

"It's okay, ma'am. I don't mind."

After answering the kitchen, Carter turned to the young boy with a smile, wanting to ruffle his naturally curly hair, but the boy dodged.

Carter didn't mind:

"I've asked your brother this question before. I asked him, why do you want to help me? Get beaten up with me? He said, because I need your help."

"The same answer goes for you. I also need your help."

"But how can we help you? You have money, you have..."

The boy's confusion hadn't been resolved yet when Kazim returned.

"You go back to your room, Calim. Carter, the people are here. This is Duleedric, and this is Barry. They're both from the same faction as my dad. They should know who arrested my dad."

Accompanying Kazim back were two burly black men. They stared at Carter, not speaking for a while, and Carter did the same to them.

There were no tattoos, no signs of menace. But as soon as the two men sat down on the sofa in front of him, Carter could feel a slight tension. In their seemingly indifferent eyes, there was a hidden aggression.

"Carter Blake. I know you! You're that little capitalist from the bank. What do you need us to do to help Duke?"

The one who spoke seemed to be named Duleedric. He didn't believe Kazim's words. Just accompanying Carter in getting beaten up could get Carter's help; he believed Carter must have some ulterior motive towards Kazim, or towards them black people.

"Just tell me who arrested Duke, that's enough. Selling leaves isn't a minor matter. Even if bail is paid, it doesn't mean everything's fine. You guys don't understand the law, and neither do I. After Duke returns, let him behave for a while. I'll find a lawyer to see if we can smooth things over."

"I'm not talking about this. I'm asking, what do you want us to do after we rescue Duke?"

Duleedric looked Carter straight in the eye, and Kazim also turned to him. Facing their gaze, Carter smiled and said nonchalantly:

"You don't need to do anything. Just do what you do best. Of course, if you can help me beat up a few people, well... maybe a dozen or twenty, that'd be even better!"

"White people?"

Duleedric glanced at Kazim, seemingly questioning but actually confirming.

"More accurately, it's the fading, soon-to-be-escaping white people from Douglas."

"Do you want them to disappear?"

Hearing Carter's words, Duleedric and Barry glanced at each other, slightly amazed, but quickly revealed a knowing expression. Indeed, capitalists like Carter were no good; each one was more ruthless than the next when it came to action.

"No, no, no, that would be too extreme. I'm a law-abiding, tax-paying citizen. Just a broken hand or foot will do. After all, leave some room for reconciliation. We might meet again in the future."

"Time?"

Ignoring Carter's righteous façade, Duleedric asked directly.

"After Duke comes out, I'll let you know!"