Chapter 23: What a Grand Gesture

The police station and the Tax Bureau both belong to America's law enforcement agencies.

Both sides would naturally try to show some respect to each other, which also makes reaching a deal more likely.

"Confident we are not, but I think, money, as long as one is normal, they should like it!"

"Fine, then go ahead and negotiate with him!"

Miyano Masho gritted his teeth as he said this, while his heart continually bled.

All he hoped was that the Tax Bureau wouldn't be too greedy!

Having received the go-ahead, Wade no longer said much and approached David and his companion with a friendly expression, extending a hand: "You're with the Tax Bureau, right? I'm an officer with the Lake District Sub-Bureau Branch in Las Vegas, my name is Wade, and this is my partner Balk."

"I'm David, and this is my partner, Nisen!"

Although David knew that the other was a corrupt officer, as the saying goes, a smiling face is hard to punch. He also shook hands with the other party amicably.

"Talk over there for a bit?"

"Sure."

The four men went to a tea table inside the factory and took their seats.

Wade skillfully poured a cup of tea for David and Nisen and began slowly, "David, Nisen, I have no intention of interfering with the Tax Bureau's enforcement, but I think... there might be a misunderstanding with this matter..."

As David heard these words, his eyes narrowed slightly, but he wasn't very surprised.

Although he hadn't heard the conversation between the other party and Miyano Masho, given that they had accepted protection money, it was natural they wouldn't just stand by idly.

Now these words, though spoken quite diplomatically, were clear to both David and Nisen as having the intention for them to back off.

David pretended to misunderstand and responded, "Misunderstanding... what do you mean?"

Wade took a sip of tea and elaborated, "The Japanese nationals here in Las Vegas don't have it easy earning their keep, and they generally cooperate with our police. They're like half-decent citizens. So, my thought is, this matter might be something we can talk over, and they are willing to pay a certain price..."

David was amused by these words. A gang of car thieves now counted as half-decent citizens?

So any criminal who pays you protection money gets to enjoy the privileges of good citizens?

"Price? What price are they willing to pay?"

This time Nisen was the one asking.

Wade turned to look at Nisen and prefaced, "Let me just say, I'm only the messenger. The rest has nothing to do with me!"

After all, not knowing the temperaments and limits of the two men before him, it seemed best to first clear his own name. He didn't want to give them any handle to grab.

"Let's hear it then."

"Here's the thing, they say they're willing to pay 30,000 US Dollars, would that be enough for you to let them off the hook?"

Having said this, Wade fixed his gaze on David and Nisen, wanting to see any change in their expressions.

But he quickly realized that while Nisen seemed somewhat surprised at the mention of 30,000 US dollars, David only showed a hint of a playful smile, with no sign of being enticed.

Wade's brow furrowed slightly as he continued, "They can also accept 50,000 if necessary!"

He had thought this amount would tempt them, but though there was a spark of interest in Nisen's eyes, David remained unmoved, deepening the concern in Wade's expression.

From the information received previously and the current conversation, he had ascertained that among the representatives from the Tax Bureau, David was the decisive one.

If he couldn't handle him, this problem likely wouldn't be resolved!

"Final offer, 100,000, that's the highest limit they can accept!"

This was certainly not the highest limit Miyano Masho was willing to offer, but Wade wanted to see just how much David really wanted.

Or perhaps… he didn't want anything at all!

"Tsk, tsk… one hundred thousand, that's no small sum!"

To be honest, if it were before he had the "golden finger," David might have truly been tempted.

After all, we are talking about one hundred thousand US dollars, not a small amount!

But now, with the golden finger in his possession, as long as he didn't make any major mistakes or let others catch him at fault, his rise to the top was clearly in sight.

Compared to that, the one hundred thousand dollars was not even worth mentioning.

Moreover, taking this money would mean giving the people from the Island Nation and the likes of Wade and Balk here leverage over him.

He was intent on climbing higher and naturally couldn't afford to leave behind such vulnerability.

Wade detected a hint of sarcasm in David's words, but still tentatively asked, "So, what does Inspector David suggest?"

"Officer Wade, are you aware that openly bribing an inspector of our country's tax bureau can result in a minimum sentence of 20 years in prison, according to our tax laws?"

You should know that even for a murder charge, in the United States it only starts at ten years.

But bribing a tax inspector starts at a minimum of twenty years, which says a lot about how strictly the constitution entrusts the tax bureau.

Wade was instantly dumbfounded. Are there really people in this world who don't like money?

That's one hundred thousand dollars!

The two of you probably couldn't earn that in half a year's work!

However, Wade quickly regained his composure, and his expression darkened.

Openly bribing?

Are there other people at the scene?

If you don't want it, just say so, why the hell are you trying to scare me!

Although he was very annoyed, he still dared not confront David and could only explain, "I told you before, I was just passing the message on their behalf, where is there any bribery!"

"Alright, Officer Wade, since you claim you are just passing messages, I will not pursue this matter with you…"

Upon hearing this, Wade felt somewhat helpless. He had realized that David really was an unusual case, with no interest in money at all!

If that's the case, he didn't have many good options to help these people from the Island Nation!

Just when Wade was about to stand up and report the conversation to Miyano Masho, David's voice sounded again: "However, we will have to pursue other matters!"

Wade stopped in his tracks, perplexed, and asked, "What do you mean? What is it that you need to pursue us for?"

"I know that your relationship with this group from the Island Nation is not ordinary, and we have also found out that every month they pay you a certain amount for protection. Previously, our tax bureau didn't handle such matters, but as you know, the new Black Tax Bill has come into effect, so…"

Originally, David had every intention of dealing with Chief Smith, but since that guy hadn't shown up, he decided to start with his two underlings first, serving as a warning to others.

Wade was no fool and clearly understood the implications, becoming instantly furious in his rebuttal, "Inspector David, I respect your tax bureau, but don't think I'm easy to push around by slandering me like this!"

"Inspector David, we've never taken any protection fees. Don't think your tax bureau can slander the police just because you have authority!"

Balk, who was seated nearby, could no longer stay silent. They had come here today, and now, not only had they gained nothing, but he was also implicated?

This was absolutely unreasonable!