Chapter 167: The Unlucky Richard
Richard returned to the Political Department, picked up the phone, and called Tsim Sha Tsui:
"Director Guan, I need all of Inspector Inspector Cheng Guobin's cases and operational plans."
"Nothing important, just a routine inspection by the Political Department."
At present, the Hong Kong Government was led by Foreigners, and the Political Department was a special agency set up by the Foreigners within the Police Force.
Theoretically, it had the authority to supervise the work of frontline detectives in various Police Stations—including the Divisional Headquarters.
In practice, it was merely an oversight.
Richard gnashed his teeth recalling Inspector Cheng Guobin's actions—'How dare you take my information and report it to the ICAC? You even arranged people to investigate me?'
Richard completely forgot about assigning Ah Tim to kill Lo Chung-lun.
He never once looked for the cause within himself.
As far as he was concerned, he felt that Inspector Cheng Guobin was targeting him at every turn.
Richard knew that even if Director Guan submitted Inspector Cheng Guobin's information, he wouldn't find anything incriminating. He was even confident that such actions would never be recorded in official documents.
However, Richard had to do this.
Westerners believed in the naked law of the jungle: the strong prey on the weak, and the winner takes all.
They respected the strong more.
For example, Sir Li, although also a Hong Konger, possessed formidable power, and Richard was absolutely devoted to him.
As for Inspector Cheng Guobin and others, they were neither smart nor powerful, and in Richard's eyes, they were just a piece of cake.
After Richard finished the call, his mood immediately brightened.
Thinking of Ah Tim's actions, an inexplicable rage flared in his chest; this guy really didn't know what was good for him.
That was the Golden Club! As long as one stepped into the Golden Club, they would become a person of status, yet he didn't cherish it?!
How did he choose such a person?
No, he had to call and scold him.
Richard pulled out his phone, intending to make a call, but he fumbled empty-handed.
Huh?
Where's my phone?
Richard quickly rummaged through his suit.
Car keys.
Holster, service pistol.
Wallet.
Chequebook.
Police ID.
Handkerchief.
Cigarette case... Everything else was there, but his phone was missing.
"Where's my phone?!"
Richard was utterly perplexed.
Looking at the pile of items on the table, he fell into deep thought.
"It doesn't make sense that such important things weren't lost, only my phone."
"I don't even have anyone's phone number saved on my phone."
Important phone numbers were stored in his head.
Why would they be left on his phone?
Richard was stunned.
"No, that's not right!"
"My phone wasn't lost; it was most likely stolen."
Richard quickly recalled the events of his day, and a scene suddenly popped into his mind:
"It was right after I parted ways with Ah Tim, I bumped into someone."
"What did that person look like?"
Richard was a Senior Superintendent in the Political Department, exceptionally sensitive to people's appearances, but he suddenly realized something terrifying—he couldn't recall what the person who bumped into him looked like.
That person was too ordinary, the kind that would be absolutely impossible to find if thrown into a crowd.
Richard suddenly felt a chill down his spine:
"Was it a pickpocket... or an assassin?"
If it were truly an assassin, he would have died at the moment of impact.
He had no idea that Dai Kuen Pao had strictly followed Lin Feng's instructions, carefully selecting individuals who were all ordinary in appearance and calm in demeanor.
While their appearances were ordinary, their skills were anything but.
This person possessed an extraordinary thieving technique; with just a slight bump, Richard's phone was gone.
Richard knew none of this. His right eyelid twitched incessantly, and his anxiety grew.
"Left eye for wealth, right eye for disaster..."
"It's just a phone, it won't lead to financial loss, will it?"
"Or should I ask the Criminal Intelligence Division to help me locate my phone?"
At this thought, Richard was visibly hesitant. Even as a Senior Superintendent in the Political Department, asking the Criminal Intelligence Division to find his phone felt a little embarrassing.
However, Richard ultimately made up his mind; he would still go look for it.
Ring, ring!
Just as Richard was about to head to the Criminal Intelligence Division, the phone suddenly rang, startling him.
After finally calming down, he picked up the phone irritably and said:
"Hello, this is Superintendent Richard of the Political Department."
A deep, resonant voice came from the other end:
"Richard, where's your phone?"
It was the Sir!
Richard immediately straightened his posture and respectfully said:
"Sir, I suspect my phone was stolen. I was just about to go to the Criminal Intelligence Division to have them locate its position..."
The Sir shook his head slightly:
"No need to look, someone has already found it. Your phone was thrown into Victoria Harbour."
"Now, come to the club to see me."
Richard hung up the phone and rushed out. The Sir's summons could not be delayed.
But halfway there, he suddenly slapped his forehead and turned back to his office.
Earlier, in his search for the phone, he had pulled out all the items from his suit.
Things like his keys and service pistol were still on the table.
Richard quickly went back, re-packed his belongings, and hurried downstairs.
Sitting in his car, a thought suddenly struck him—who would investigate his phone?
Hong Kong valued privacy, at least overtly.
To track someone's phone location, even the police needed to open a case file.
Richard was a Foreign Superintendent in the Political Department, and with his status, generally no one would investigate him.
However, two people at the Golden Club had the capability.
One was the Deputy Director of the Security Bureau, and the other was the Deputy Commissioner of ICAC.
For Richard now, they were both true big shots.
Without this platform, even if he were a Senior Superintendent in the Political Department, he wouldn't have the qualifications to speak with them.
The problem arose.
Why would these two big shots investigate him?
It shouldn't be!
Richard felt an inexplicable panic.
He felt waves of inexplicable pressure.
"Could that pickpocket who stole my phone have used it to commit some mischief?"
"But no matter what mischief, it wouldn't be enough to alarm these three giants."
Richard dared not delay, quickly started his car, and headed straight for the Golden Club.
Then, another chilling thought occurred to him—
The Sir, the Deputy Director, and the Deputy Commissioner were indeed the three giants of the club, but they almost never appeared at the club.
Let alone appearing together.
Even more, let alone appearing together during working hours.
It was four o'clock in the afternoon, not yet quitting time.
The three giants had actually appeared together, against all precedent?
Don't ask why Richard knew that the Deputy Director of the Security Bureau or the Deputy Commissioner of ICAC would appear; he had a gut feeling—
Since the Sir had appeared, the other two would have to show him respect no matter what.
At this thought, his right eyelid twitched even more violently.
Upon arriving at the club, Richard's unease intensified. He actually saw a team of people standing guard at the entrance!
As a members-only private club, at most there would be a doorman outside to greet guests.
But there had never been guards standing outside; the internal security never came out. They were always in the monitoring room, in inconspicuous corners of the club, responsible for security.
Standing openly outside like this was in itself unusual.
Richard immediately knew something had happened.
"How unlucky, why did something have to happen precisely when I lost my phone?"
"The Sir obviously thought of me first, but I didn't respond to his call in time. Will the Sir think I'm incompetent?"
For a moment, Richard felt a mix of anxiety and apprehension.
However, he couldn't dwell on it now. He parked his car and hurried towards the club.
An unexpected event occurred—he was stopped at the club entrance.
"Superintendent Richard, we need to frisk you. This is an order from above. Please cooperate with our work."
Richard's feeling of unease grew. He hadn't considered that the change in the doormen was due to him.
He simply believed that something significant had happened at the club.
Richard was very cooperative, his mind entirely focused on guessing what had happened at the club, completely oblivious to the guards' surprised looks.
The guards thoroughly frisked Richard, and his service pistol was naturally confiscated by them.
"Your gun will be returned to you when you leave."
Richard nodded; he understood the procedure.
In fact, the G4 Special Forces also had such a procedure.
Richard was not surprised by this. He just wanted to know what major changes had occurred at the Golden Club.
So he rushed into the lobby, and upon seeing what was inside, his heart sank.
They were all big shots.
The three giants—the Sir, the Deputy Director, and the Deputy Commissioner—had arrived.
Several prominent bankers, who were key players in money laundering, were also present.
And there were powerful figures from the action teams—those few were frontline operatives from the Security Bureau and the ICAC.
Richard composed himself and adjusted his attire:
"Sir, you sent for me."
The Old Sir suddenly smiled and said to those around him:
"What did I tell you? Richard would never do anything to betray us."
Richard was particularly surprised:
"Sir, how could I ever do anything to betray the Golden Club?"
"The Golden Club is what allowed me to reach my current high position, I... am filled with gratitude."
The Old Sir was very pleased with Richard's statement, his voice gentle:
"You see, I knew Richard was a grateful person."
"However, a country has its laws, and a family has its rules."
"Let's still proceed according to the rules."
Richard followed the Old Sir's words:
"Of course, the Golden Club is a sacred organization for everyone to prosper. No matter who betrays it, we cannot forgive him."
"Sir, do you need me to do something?"
"Who is that person? I will make him regret being born."
The Sir was even more delighted:
"Look, Richard is so sensible..."
The Deputy Director and the Deputy Commissioner did not smile.
The several bank tycoons also did not smile.
Richard was suddenly filled with anger, directed at the Deputy Director, the Deputy Commissioner, and the several bank tycoons.
In his heart, he had always believed that the Old Sir was the one and only core, and everyone else had to obey.
These people had achieved sufficiently high positions because of the Sir's elevation, but they were ungrateful, instead treating the Sir with indifference.
Such disrespect!
If he were in charge, he would definitely deal with these guys severely.
The Sir said gently:
"Richard, I know you're sensible, so please explain it to us."
Richard was as respectful as could be:
"Sir, your wish is my command."
"I will go through fire and water, no matter the cost."
Richard truly revered the Old Sir to his core; otherwise, he wouldn't have put so much effort into studying the culture of his Mainland.
Just based on what he said, if one only heard his voice, who could tell that it was spoken by a Foreigner?
The Sir asked:
"Richard, what did you intend to do with the four hundred million you withdrew from our Golden Club?"
Boom!
Richard was greatly alarmed:
"What?"
"Withdrew four hundred million?"
"Me?"
"Sir, has something gone wrong somewhere?"
The Deputy Commissioner stood up and said to the Sir:
"Sir, perhaps I should ask?"
The Sir shrugged:
"Everyone has their specialty; you are the professional. Richard is all yours."
Richard shouted:
"Sir, I am loyal to the Golden Club! I didn't do such a thing!"
"I rushed here the moment I received your call, without any delay."
"If I really had withdrawn four hundred million, would I have eagerly come over? Wouldn't that be walking into a trap?"
Richard finally understood where his unease came from. Damn, this was a scapegoat dropped from the sky!
The Sir's words remained gentle:
"Richard, I believe you are not that kind of person, and this matter isn't something you did."
"The Golden Club has its own procedures, so just go through the process."
Richard immediately felt relieved.
The Deputy Commissioner, also a Foreigner, waved his hand:
"First, let Superintendent Richard understand his situation."
Immediately, four people walked up and surrounded Richard, who instantly felt uneasy:
"What are you going to do?"
What to do?
Fists rained down like raindrops. These people were masters of torture, not hitting the face or the backside, but specifically targeting areas where nerves intertwined. In other words, they hit wherever it hurt the most.
Ah ah ah!
Richard let out a series of screams.
It hurt so much!
He had originally wanted to act tough to leave a good impression on the Sir, but things went against his wishes.
These guys really hit the right spots.
It hurt like hell.
These people from the ICAC could easily make you feel pain, but if you wanted to get an injury report, sorry, there wouldn't be a single external wound.
Hitting the face would leave evidence.
Hitting the backside meant a thick layer of fat.
Only hitting nerve clusters was the best.
In these areas, even without much force, as long as they were struck, a person couldn't bear it.
Torture was a science; human sensation had a threshold.
The human body had a self-protection mechanism; when pain reached its extreme, one would paradoxically feel less pain—any more pain, and the person would collapse.
These frontline operatives of the ICAC expertly controlled the force of their blows, using little strength but constantly making him feel pain.
This kind of pain was unbearable for most people.
At least Richard couldn't bear it, screaming:
"Stop hitting me, stop hitting me! You'll break me if you keep hitting me!"
However, the Foreign Deputy Commissioner turned a deaf ear and gave no signal, so the group tormented Richard for a full half an hour, nearly driving him to collapse.
Richard truly couldn't take it anymore. He was both angry and terrified of the ICAC personnel, with only one thought in his mind: as long as they stopped tormenting him, he would do anything.
The Sir shook his head and sighed:
"Under the whip, what cannot be obtained?"
"Deputy Commissioner, isn't that enough?"
The Foreign Deputy Commissioner waved his hand, and the ICAC personnel immediately stopped.
Richard cried:
"Deputy Commissioner, I really didn't do that! Am I crazy to go and withdraw four hundred million?"
"Besides, I only have a little over ten million in my various bank accounts—this is money raised under the Sir's orders. How could I possibly withdraw so much money all at once?"
"You can't frame me!"
The Foreign Deputy Commissioner said coldly:
"Your account is special. In the past, as long as you wrote a check and sent someone to collect it, the bank would release the funds immediately."
Richard shouted:
"That wasn't me who withdrew it! That was the money laundering team! My account is just a platform; that money doesn't pass through my hands!"
The Foreign Deputy Commissioner didn't listen to his explanation at all.
"You know your account number is special. As long as someone takes your check to withdraw money, and there's enough money in your account, the teller manager won't even ask."
"So, you came up with a method."
"You simultaneously found forty people and had them strictly adhere to the timing. Within the bank system's reconciliation cycle, they went to different branches of the same bank to withdraw the money."
"Bank reconciliation has an interval period. The interval periods for different banks also vary, but they are basically between twenty-five minutes and half an hour."
"You exploited this system loophole and, in just fifteen minutes, at the same time, in different banks, and different branches, you withdrew four hundred million all at once."
"What a clever trick!"
Richard was dumbfounded: Am I that capable? Do I have that kind of brain? If I were that capable, I would have gone to HSBC to withdraw money a long time ago!
"Deputy Commissioner, where would I find so many people?"
"Besides, I'm just a human stamp for that account; I've never touched that money at all."
"I didn't even know the bank had this loophole. I don't have that ability!"
"It really wasn't me!"
Richard cried!
He really cried!
He finally understood what it felt like to be wronged.
This matter, if he had done it, he might have admitted it, because being able to precisely exploit a bank loophole to withdraw four hundred million hong kong dollar at once—the technical content was too high.
But the problem was, he really didn't do it.
Richard tremblingly pulled out his checkbook:
"My checkbook is still here; I haven't even used it. How could it be me?"
The Foreign Deputy Commissioner sneered:
"You are a Senior Superintendent of the Political Department. How difficult could it be to obtain a few checkbooks?"
"You have plenty of ways."
Richard deeply felt the injustice of Dou E. He finally understood the despair of snow falling in June:
"But I really didn't do it."
The Foreign Deputy Commissioner said lightly:
"We are not unreasonable people. Here, these are the checks left by the culprits when they withdrew money from the bank. Open your eyes and look carefully. As long as you can point out which one isn't written by you, we will let you go."
Richard quickly stumbled forward, as if he saw hope.
Then, hope turned into despair:
"This one... seems to be my signature."
"This one... seems to be my signature too."
"This one... why is it still mine?"
***
Chapter 168: The Most Vicious Revenge
Inspector Cheng Guobin emerged from Director Guan's office, clenching his fists tightly.
Director Guan had informed him that Richard intended to investigate Inspector Cheng Guobin.
Inspector Cheng Guobin naturally knew the reason.
Wasn't it because he himself was investigating Richard? The other party was retaliating.
It was actually very difficult to track a Senior Superintendent from the Political Department in a busy city.
No matter how incompetent Richard's professional abilities were, he was still a police officer; he possessed the necessary qualities.
Tracking him without being discovered was basically impossible.
Inspector Cheng Guobin wasn't afraid of Richard discovering him, and he didn't care when his team members were exposed.
Once the pretense was dropped, there was nothing left to hide.
I just want to investigate you!
I just want to keep an eye on you, to prevent you from doing those underhanded things.
This was Inspector Cheng Guobin's true inner thought.
However, Director Guan delivered a harsh blow:
"I know you haven't moved past Zonglun's death. In fact, my heart isn't calm either."
"We are classmates and friends."
"We both want Zonglun to rest in peace, and we both want to avenge him."
"But please, even if you must investigate, be careful."
"Don't you know you've crossed the line?"
"Our jurisdiction is Tsim Sha Tsui, yet you went to Wan Chai to stake out?"
"And you didn't even notify the local Police Station?"
"I know investigating Richard is something that can't be openly discussed, but no matter what, you should have informed the other party, even if it was with some absurd reason like searching for lost cats and dogs."
"This is common sense."
"You are a police officer; you should know the consequences of crossing the line."
"The fact that Richard didn't use this reason to act against you means he's playing cat and mouse; you need to be careful!"
"He just called me and asked me to send him all the files from your team."
"You should know why."
Inspector Cheng Guobin gritted his teeth and said:
"He's trying to nitpick."
Director Guan glared at him:
"What nitpicking? He's just looking for any excuse to interfere with your case."
"The Political Department doesn't have any fixed cases; their main business is dealing with our own people."
"He's got his eye on you."
Inspector Cheng Guobin clenched his fists tightly.
Director Guan's tone softened, and he pointed to his own head:
"We are police officers; remember to learn how to use this."
"The Political Department is a step above us. You must learn to protect yourself."
A police officer needing to protect himself even within the Police Station... Inspector Cheng Guobin's eyes were practically spitting fire.
But there was nothing he could do. The regulations stipulated that the Political Department could supervise cases of frontline detectives, so what more was there to say?
Only truly protecting oneself was the best strategy.
Director Guan stepped forward and patted Inspector Cheng Guobin's shoulder:
"If something happens, tell me. I'll help you bear the burden."
Inspector Cheng Guobin said expressionlessly:
"The only trouble is Richard from the Political Department."
Director Guan was half-choked, and pointed:
"Get out!"
Inspector Cheng Guobin forced a smile and said:
"Thank you, sir."
Director Guan waved his hand dismissively.
Inspector Cheng Guobin emerged from Director Guan's office, his face grim, and the pressure around him was low.
None of the O-team members dared to speak loudly, fearing they might disturb him.
Ding-a-ling!
A sudden phone ring broke the office's quiet.
Inspector Cheng Guobin frowned as he picked up the phone, his pupils slightly constricted. Kang Daohang calling?
Generally, even the Criminal Intelligence Division, which was related to O-team cases, would not casually contact them if there were no ongoing cases.
Police officers were too busy.
A single case could keep them busy for several months continuously, and if there was a frontline surveillance mission, it meant working twenty-four hours straight.
Detectives had no regular hours.
The O-team was like this, and so was the Criminal Intelligence Division.
Normally, the junior heads of the two units would not contact each other.
Only at the Superintendent level, when one could step away from frontline investigative work, would there be appropriate social interaction.
Police officers at the Inspector level were considered lower-middle ranking within the Police Force.
"Inspector Cheng, there's a situation. Come to the seaside."
Inspector Cheng Guobin immediately stood up.
Kang Daohang's words left him confused. What situation?
Which seaside?
Why was he suddenly looking for him?
It didn't seem right, did it?
However, now was not the time to ask for the reason. Kang Daohang was the head of the secret investigation team appointed by the Chief.
Could it be that Zonglun's case had made progress?
Thinking of this, Inspector Cheng Guobin's heart burned with anticipation.
As long as Lo Chung-lun's case made progress, he was willing to do anything, even assist Kang Daohang.
He had initially thought Kang Daohang's invitation for a meeting was a relatively private matter, but to his surprise, not only was Kang Daohang there, but also Chief Wong Bing-Yiu, Superintendent Chan Yan-Kin, and Senior Inspector Lu Qichang.
Not only them, but also a team of plainclothes officers.
Furthermore, there were even forensic and medical examiners present.
This didn't look like a rendezvous; it looked more like a crime scene.
Inspector Cheng Guobin was confused. Why did they call him then?
If a case had occurred here, shouldn't the West Kowloon Police Headquarters be responsible?
Kang Daohang waved:
"Inspector Cheng, come and take a look."
Inspector Cheng Guobin was puzzled:
"What?"
Lu Qichang said in a deep voice:
"There's a person hanging by the sea. It's someone we know."
Inspector Cheng Guobin's heart tightened. He quickly took two steps forward, and with just one glance, his pupils suddenly widened, and he exclaimed:
"Richard?"
"He's dead?!"
Surrounded by a group of police officers was none other than Richard, the Senior Superintendent from the Political Department.
Inspector Cheng Guobin was greatly surprised:
"That's not right. I saw this guy at noon today."
"Just a short while ago, Director Guan told me that Richard was targeting me, and he had requested all my case files from Director Guan."
"How long has it been, and he's already dead?"
Forensic doctor Koo Chak-Sum said:
"I believe everyone has already figured it out. This was a brutal killing, an execution-style gunshot to the head."
"The shooter's method was very professional; they've done this sort of thing many times before."
"What's surprising is Richard's eyes..."
"Disbelief, as if he couldn't rest in peace."
Kang Daohang quickly asked:
"Doctor Koo, do you have any theories?"
Koo Chak-Sum was a bestselling author of detective novels, and forensics was originally a discipline that heavily relied on logic.
Forensic science has a famous saying—the body doesn't lie.
As the head of the Criminal Intelligence Division, Kang Daohang had dealt with Koo Chak-Sum many times and deeply understood that despite his youth, Doctor Koo possessed profound deductive skills.
Koo Chak-Sum shrugged:
"Looking at his eyes, it's clearly resentment and disbelief, though this is mostly my subjective speculation."
"What interests me is—"
"This guy was executed in an execution-style manner, which means someone believed he committed a great crime and deserved to die."
"But Richard is a Senior Superintendent from the Political Department..."
"I really can't imagine who he could have betrayed?"
Kang Daohang smiled:
"Thank you, Doctor Koo, for your hard work."
Koo Chak-Sum looked up at everyone and said:
"Although Richard's cause of death was an execution-style gunshot, the specific circumstances still require me to perform an autopsy before drawing a conclusion."
"Now, I won't disturb your investigation."
Watching Koo Chak-Sum and the others leave, Lu Qichang smiled:
"Doctor Koo is a smart man."
Kang Daohang casually said:
"He's a bestselling novelist, very smart about human relations."
Inspector Cheng Guobin couldn't help but ask:
"What exactly happened?"
"How did Richard die?"
Kang Daohang sighed:
"Earlier, we received a report that someone found a Foreigner's body by the sea."
"When we arrived here, we realized the situation was serious."
"The deceased was Richard."
"The forensic team has already been here and conducted a detailed search of the crime scene."
"The result is..."
Inspector Cheng Guobin asked:
"What?"
Kang Daohang crossed his arms and said:
"It's very strange; nothing on his person seems to be missing."
"Car keys, service pistol, identification, wallet..."
"Only his phone is gone, but I had a colleague check, and the signal's last known location was right here."
Lu Qichang looked at the vast sea before them:
"Clearly, it must be in there."
"Perhaps the killer threw it into the sea."
Inspector Cheng Guobin instinctively retorted:
"No, if that's the case, why would such a result occur?"
"The killer could have just thrown Richard into the sea as well."
"Wouldn't this be an unnecessary extra step?"
Everyone present was an experienced detective and immediately noticed something was amiss.
Richard died in an execution-style manner, clearly, the killer was not afraid of him being reported, so naturally, there was no need to specifically throw away Richard's phone.
For this kind of situation, everyone had a precedent in mind—Ngai Kun.
Mary hated Ngai Kun to the core, which is why she sent Lau Kin-ming to execute Ngai Kun. From Mary's perspective, Ngai Kun truly deserved to die.
The more Ngai Kun's death was reported, the greater Mary's pleasure.
She wished everyone knew that Ngai Kun had been executed.
What about Richard?
It was also an execution-style death, he didn't even lose a single hong kong dollar, and the killer must have wanted the media to report on the case. So why was his phone specifically discarded?
It makes no sense at all.
"No!"
"Richard lost something."
Inspector Cheng Guobin said something unexpected after carefully inspecting Richard's personal belongings.
Everyone looked over simultaneously.
Inspector Cheng Guobin said seriously:
"Richard's checkbook is missing."
Kang Daohang immediately came over, checked carefully, and said in surprise,
"Richard's checkbook really is missing."
Lu Qichang asked curiously:
"What's wrong with you two?"
"Is a checkbook… that important?"
Inspector Cheng Guobin explained:
"Richard has over twenty million hong kong dollars in several of his accounts."
"You tell me, is it important?"
Everyone was greatly astonished.
"I was originally thinking of taking this to the ICAC…"
Wong Bing-Yiu suddenly interrupted everyone,
"We'll talk about this later."
"You few, come to my car."
Inspector Cheng Guobin immediately shut up.
There were too many people at the crime scene, including many ordinary police officers, so discussing this was clearly inappropriate.
Once inside the car, Wong Bing-Yiu said:
"Cheng Sir, tell us what happened."
Inspector Cheng Guobin readily complied:
"It's like this, after Lo Chung-lun was killed…"
He recounted the events in detail, including how he fell into anxiety, how he obtained Richard's private account information from Lin Feng, how he watched Richard enter the ICAC, and how he then watched him leave as if he had just been shopping… Every detail was recounted.
"A Foreign Senior Superintendent having so much money in his bank account, and the ICAC still letting him go…"
"The ICAC is compromised."
Lu Qichang quickly drew a conclusion.
Wong Bing-Yiu pondered for a moment and said:
"Richard's case is now being handled by Kang Daohang, Kang Sir. Lu Sir, you need to provide him with operational support when necessary."
Lu Qichang was stunned. Wasn't this kind of thing handled by their O-team?
How did it get demoted?
But since it was Richard who died, Lu Qichang was happy for the demotion:
"Understood."
Lu Qichang got out of the car happily and left with his men. The O-team was very busy, and whoever wanted to investigate the Foreigner's case could, he certainly didn't want to.
Wong Bing-Yiu then said:
"Kang Sir, what do you think?"
Kang Daohang thought for a moment and made a deduction:
"According to the intelligence I have, Richard is one of the Golden Club's senior enforcers."
"His position in the club is not low."
"According to intelligence provided by a high-ranking individual, the Golden Club has a triumvirate… Unfortunately, all three of them are beyond the Police Force's reach."
Inspector Cheng Guobin felt very uncomfortable listening:
"We are the police. No matter who breaks the law, we have to investigate."
Kang Daohang glanced at him, but didn't speak.
Inspector Cheng Guobin glared at him fiercely, not giving an inch.
Wong Bing-Yiu sighed:
"Kang Sir, I'm keeping Cheng Sir here because I want him to participate in the investigation to a moderate extent."
"You need a helper at critical moments."
Kang Daohang then said:
"The Golden Club has three kingpins, one of whom is the Deputy Commissioner of the ICAC…"
Inspector Cheng Guobin's pupils contracted.
"Another is the Deputy Director of the Security Bureau."
"These two are said to be deputies, but we all know that they are the ones who actually run things as the Chiefs."
"In addition, the core of the triumvirate is Old Sir, a senior councilor who has served in the Hong Kong government for a full twenty years."
Inspector Cheng Guobin's face turned pale.
Kang Daohang then said:
"Not long after I received this case, I knew it wasn't a case that could be completed in a short time."
"Even if we wanted to launch an investigation, we would face heavy resistance."
"If my investigation team is exposed…"
"You should know what kind of pressure I would face."
Inspector Cheng Guobin took a deep breath and apologized to Kang Daohang:
"I'm sorry, Kang Sir."
Just one Richard could leave the Tsim Sha Tsui Police Station helpless, let alone the superiors of the Police Force.
To put it bluntly, if Kang Daohang's investigation team was exposed, they might even disappear—in the physical sense of the word.
Kang Daohang offered his opinion:
"This case is suspicious. I think there might be a problem with the Golden Club."
Wong Bing-Yiu asked:
"Where do you think the problem lies?"
Kang Daohang shrugged:
"Perhaps we should re-examine Richard's account information."
Wong Bing-Yiu was startled:
"Didn't Cheng Sir just check it?"
"…Are you saying someone took his money?"
Kang Daohang smiled:
"I think it should be checked."
Inspector Cheng Guobin asked:
"Chief, should this case be kept secret?"
Wong Bing-Yiu shook his head:
"How can it be kept secret?"
"They killed Richard in an execution-style manner; they want us to publicize it."
"Besides, Richard is, after all, a Foreign Superintendent from the Political Department, and he's associated with the police, so we have to put on a show."
"It's a good opportunity, while investigating this Foreigner, to ask the higher-ups for various passes…"
"Kang Sir, I'm leaving this to you. Let Chen Sir accompany you to the press conference and announce the matter to Hong Kong with great fanfare."
Kang Daohang was helpless:
"Chief, actually, I still prefer to investigate secretly."
Wong Bing-Yiu said seriously:
"When the fake is true, the true is also fake; true and false, false and true, that's how people won't be able to discern your movements."
"You should know how dangerous your investigation team is."
"With such a large group of people gathered around you, how can you conceal it from the Political Department without a plausible reason?"
"Investigating Richard's case is perfect; it can bring your investigation team from the shadows into the light."
"Even if others see your team together, they won't connect you with the Golden Club and Lo Chung-lun's case."
"Isn't this killing multiple birds with one stone?"
Kang Daohang was convinced:
"Big Sir's thoughts are thorough."
Wong Bing-Yiu then said to Inspector Cheng Guobin:
"We are all very angry about Lo Chung-lun's death."
"Now that Richard, the mastermind, is dead, in a sense, Lo Chung-lun has been avenged."
"You need to rein in your emotions, otherwise, you won't be able to, nor will you be qualified to, participate in such a confidential team."
Inspector Cheng Guobin nodded heavily.
Wong Bing-Yiu was speaking the truth; the biggest pitfall in doing anything is letting emotions take over, especially for police officers.
Other professions might just mess things up, but if police officers mess things up, lives could be lost.
Inspector Cheng Guobin proactively extended his hand to Kang Daohang:
"Kang Sir, please guide me in the future."
"Whatever you command, I will obey."
Kang Daohang smiled and gave the other party's hand a firm shake.
A man's promise is simple, without ceremony, but both knew that the other was a man of his word.
Wong Bing-Yiu clapped his hands:
"You two are both elites; you must do your work well."
After speaking, Wong Bing-Yiu ushered them out of the car.
Superintendent Chan Yan-Kin said to the two:
"I can't help you too much. Yuen Ho-Wan is in a lot of trouble, and the entire O-team has to revolve around his team."
"You must be careful."
"If you need anything, speak up immediately. No matter how difficult, I will pull out enough manpower for you."
Kang Daohang and Inspector Cheng Guobin repeatedly said:
"Thank you, Sir."
Superintendent Chan Yan-Kin also got into the car after speaking.
Inspector Cheng Guobin asked, puzzled:
"Yuen Sir has a big case?"
Kang Daohang whispered:
"I heard it's an arms smuggling syndicate."
Inspector Cheng Guobin immediately fell silent.
This was indeed a major case; there was a good chance that colleagues would sacrifice their lives.
So that night, the West Kowloon Major Crimes Unit, for the first time ever, urgently held a press conference, announcing to the media the news that Senior Superintendent Richard of the Political Department had been executed by firing squad, causing a huge uproar in public opinion.
Chiang Tin-Sung received the news immediately. He had a strong intuition—could this be Lin Feng's revenge?