interfere of two big names

Chapter-71

The night progressed slowly. Florence. James and the others waited anxiously outside the police station.

Dahlia was the backbone of the Nicholson family. If something were to happen to her, the Nicholsons would undoubtedly fall apart. Therefore, to save themselves, they did everything they could to arrange for her release.

which meant pulling every string possible. A policeman appeared out of nowhere. James immediately stepped forward and asked, "Mr. Clarke, how's it looking? Can you let my sister go?"

"James, I dug around and discovered that Gardner is the inspector in charge of this case. A mere policeman like myself won't be able to do much to help," the man said with a shake of his head.

"What else can we do? Do you have any other ideas?" James lamented with panic.

"Mr. Clarke, we would be eternally grateful for whatever you can do to help us!" Florence pleaded.

"I'll try my best, but I can't promise anything. Plus, don't forget the sum of money."

"Sir, I've just forked out two million dollars. Take it for now, and I'll get more if it doesn't suffice. Please help us out. We can talk about further payment later!" James cried as he pulled out a card and handed it to the policeman.

"Alright then, I'll give it another shot." The policeman slid the card into his pocket discreetly, turned around, and walked back into the station.

"James, two million isn't a small amount. Are you sure we can trust your friend?" Florence asked, her voice uncertain.

"No matter what, we still have to give it a go," James muttered through gritted teeth.

"By the way, has anyone seen Mr. Laney?" someone in the crowd quipped.

"Matt said he went to meet a friend who may be able to help get Dahlia out of this pickle," Florence replied.

"So that's where he's gone. With Mr. Laney's help, we have double the reassurance. I'm sure it'll be alright."

With that, the group let out a sigh of relief.

Meanwhile, in a luxurious villa, Matt was having the time of his life with a gorgeous woman in a hot tub. His body intertwined with hers as they blissfully made love to each other.

"I doubt you're here simply to visit. You must have a favor to ask of me, am I right?" the woman smirked.

"Nothing ever gets past you, does it?" he conceded with a slight smile. He began, "I have a friend who's being held at the police station, and I need your help bailing her out. I'm sure you know that Swinton is not my home ground."

"A friend? What's the name?" she asked.

"Dahlia Nicholson."

"Oh? A woman? Is there something going on between you and her?" The beauty raised an eyebrow suspiciously.

"Hehe… she's just a friend. She helped me out a while back, so I'm merely returning the favor." Matt maintained a nonchalant expression.

"Is that so?" Dubious, the woman pressed on. "Matt, don't claim I've never reminded you that you are mine and mine only. You best believe you'll regret being promiscuous out there. If a vixen dares to try to seduce you, I will make her life a living hell!"

"What are you even talking about, baby girl? You are the one I love most in life. How could I possibly have eyes for other women?" Matt quickly pulled her into a tight embrace.

"Since you say you love me so much, you shall attend my birthday party in two days and meet my father as "my boyfriend," the lady said with a smile stretching from ear to ear.

"Are you introducing me to your family already?"

"Why? Are you afraid?"

"Your father is the one and only Sir Hummer. I bet you won't be able to name me someone who isn't afraid of the prospect of meeting him! However, it goes without saying that I would cross the highest mountains and the deepest seas for you!"

"Aw, aren't you the sweetest! Alright then, it's a deal!"

At the same time, at Java Joys. Natasha was seated on the couch, reading silently, when Ruth barged in.

*Sis! Bad news! Dustin's been arrested!" she blurted as soon as her lips parted.

"Arrested?" Natasha was taken aback. "What happened?"

"I just received news that Dustin was arrested and escorted to the police station for the theft of valuable items!" Ruth managed between pants.

"Theft? Is that it?" Natasha's confusion grew.

"The theft is nothing but a coverup. In reality, Dustin is being framed. However, things don't look good given that he's fallen into the hands of that fat man Gardner," Ruth continued.

A string of protests rang from Natasha's mouth immediately.

"That fat bastard! Such audacity–how dare he touch my man? Gather your men at once and follow me to the police station to get our people back!"

Meanwhile, in Hunter Anderson's mansion. "Dad! Bad news! Something major happened!" Jeff Anderson rushed into the study with large beads of sweat covering his forehead, startling Hunter as he practiced his brush strokes.

"You idiot! How many times have I told you that you must stay calm when facing problems instead of overreacting? Why don't you ever heed my advice?!"

"Dad! I'm not overreacting this time. Something big really did happen!" Jeff wiped the sweat from his face.

"Pahl You better remember: no matter how big a situation, you must stay calm! That is how a real man should act!" After relaying his teachings, he finally asked, "Now tell me, what's going on?"

"It's about Mr. Rhys. He's been arrested by Gardner!" Jeff exploded.

"What?" Hunter started trembling in fear. Even the brush in his hand broke in two.

"Quick… call someone! We have to go to the police station," he instructed his son. He roared, "That fat fuck "Gardner. If he dares touch a hair on Mr. Rhys' head, I'll skin him alive!"

"Dad, shouldn't you remain calm?" Jeff's lips twitched with irony.

"To hell with calm!"

The news struck him like a lightning bolt, so shocking that Hunter broke into a cold sweat. "If Mr. Laney emerges unscathed, all will be well. But if something were to happen to him, everyone in Swinton would suffer. Not to mention Garnder, you, and even myself!"

"Huh! Is the situation so grave?" Jeff winced. He still had zero clue about Dustin's true identity.

"What are you doing still lingering around? We have to get him out of there!" ordered Hunter. After slapping his son awake, Hunter darted out the door.

Deep in his heart, he prayed, "Gardner, Gardner, you fat motherfucker better not mess around! If you do, Swinton will be soaked in blood!"

As the chaos unfolded in the outside world, nothing but peace and calm hung in the air of the inspector's office at the police station.

"What's the situation, Mr. Gardner? Has the kid confessed yet?" asked the Cobra impatiently as soon as he sat down.

"It doesn't matter whether he has or not. Any prisoner who falls into my hands is sure to give in eventually." The fat inspector took another drag of his cigar with a smug expression.

"It's not a problem if you're on–site, but you can't guarantee that things won't take a turn for the worse. I think you ought to get it out of the way while you can," the Cobra suggested.

"Why do you say that? Are you trying to teach me how to do my job?" Gardner cast a cold glare at him.

"Of course not. I wouldn't even dream of it. It's just that the kid has someone backing him up. If this isn't resolved soon, trouble may arise," the Cobra explained with a quick apology.

"What trouble could possibly arise? I'm just doing my job. Plus, this is my territory. Who would dare disobey me?" he reminded the man with certainty.

"Well, that's true, Mr. Gardner. You are Mr. Granville's son–in–law after all–who would dare disrespect you?" agreed the Cobra flatteringly.

"Hmph! At least you're smart enough to know that!" the inspector guffawed.

He was perhaps prouder of having the mayor as his father–in–law than of his identity as an inspector. The title of mayor denoted the highest position of power in the whole of Swinton.

"Mr. Gardner, this is a gift from Sir Anderson. Please accept it," said the Cobra as he held out a gift box with both hands.

Gardner opened the box, and the shimmer of the gold accessory put a smile on his face.

"Hehe… Sir Anderson is simply too generous. Send him my thanks! Also, reassure him that I will handle this with extra care and ensure nothing goes wrong!"

"Thank you, Mr. Gardner!" The Cobra bowed in gratitude.

While the two spoke, the squad leader who had made the arrest entered the room unannounced.

"Is something the matter?" Gardner instantly slammed the gift box shut.

"Sir, the Nicholson family has just sent someone to intercede, and they've offered to pay a hefty amount to release Dahlia Nicholson on bail," the officer reported.

"Pah! That woman is a wanted criminal. There's no way she can be released on the ball. Send them away!" commanded Gardner with a dismissive wave of his hand.

"Yes, sir." The squad leader turned and left. However, he knocked on the door again in less than a minute.

"What is it this time?!" barked the inspector, clearly losing his patience.

"Sir, Ms. Harmon called in earlier, claiming that we've arrested the wrong person. She has asked us to release Dustin Rhys immediately." the officer said.

"Ms. Harmon? Do you mean Natasha Harmon?" Gardner's expression froze.

"That's her." The officer nodded.

"Cobra, what's going on? You failed to mention that this kid had anything to do with Natasha!" The inspector's eyes turned feral Natasha was a lady of superiority in all aspects; money, power, and influence. Under normal circumstances, she was not someone he would offend for no reason.

"Mr. Gardner, he's just a good–for–nothing Natasha dotes on. In fact, he has no proper background. With your status, you need not pay him much attention," the Cobra assured the inspector.

"Hmph! That better be the case!" Slightly flustered, Gardner instructed the squad leader, "Tell Natasha Harmon that we are holding no such person in our patrol room." Since he had already given his word to Duane, there was no going back. For now, the best course of action would be to sweep it under the carpet.

However, as soon as the squad leader left, Gardner's phone started ringing.

"Mr. Anderson?" He was baffled by the caller ID displayed on the screen. For Mr. Anderson to call at this hour. Could it be for the kid as well? Wasn't this too much of a coincidence?!

Brushing the thought from his mind, he decided to pick up the call, still feeling apprehensive.

"Hello, Mr. Anderson! Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Mr. Gardner! Tell me, did you arrest a young man named Dustin Rhys?" Hunter cut right to the chase without wasting a second.

"Oh? Did I? Why is it that I'm not aware of this?" Mr. Gardner questioned. His heart skipped a beat, but he didn't let it show. He asked, "Mr. Anderson, did something happen?"

"Gardner! Don't you dare pull tricks on me! Heed my order and released Dustin right this instant! Or else, don't blame me for cutting you off for good!" Hunter yelled into the phone.

"Mr. Anderson, there must have been a misunderstanding! I don't know Dustin at all. How about I look into it for you?" The officer desperately put on an act.

There was no way he would spill the beans on the plan.

"Alright then, you fat bastard. You have no idea what you're getting yourself into! Mark my words–if anything happens to Dustin, you and your whole family will go down with him!"

Hunter hung up the phone with a threatening growl: "Did that old man get up on the wrong side of the bed today?" grumbled Gardner, his displeasure written all over his face.

"Sir, what's wrong?" the Cobra asked cautiously.

"What's wrong? Where did you get the guts to ask me that?" Gardner slapped a palm onto the table. "Didn'ty ou say the kid had no background? Mr. Anderson just called to speak to me about the fellow! Does that sound like someone with no background to you? Are you deliberately trying to set me up, you motherfucker?!"

Natasha Harmon was already a handful. Now that Hunter Anderson was also in the picture, this was equivalent to stripping him down and tying him to a skewer over an open fire.

"No way! There's no way that he has relations with Mr. Anderson! I–I really didn't know about this," the Cobra stuttered as the color drained from his face.

"Quick, call Duane now. This situation is getting way out of hand. He'll have to pay me more if he wants this matter settled smoothly," Gardner ordered.

"Alright, alright. I will call Sir Anderson immediately!"

The Cobra did not hesitate as he dialed Duane's number. Over the phone, he briefly explained Gardner's request.

After confirming an affirmative answer, he reported, "Sir, Sir Anderson has agreed to double the price as long as you can get the job done!"

Hearing this, the tense muscles on the inspector's face finally eased.

*Sir Anderson is truly generous! In that case, I'll do my very best!" he declared with a smile of contentment. Well, money did do wonders, after all. A middle ground is always more easily reached with a good payout.

*************Small Request**************

Anybody who has read up here you guys are a gem and I will think you guys are very loyal to my novel so I have a request that whoever reaches this chapter you guys must rate my novel okay that gives me the motivation to release other chapters and it also helps to get the contract so do help me with that thank you.