“...what are you saying?” Bri Fu silent for a moment, then looked Captain Kht in his eyes: “You’re saying - ”

  “I’m saying that the things and topics we discussed, we’re bht on some points and wrong on some others. And almost all things we discussed and foresaw with the grimmest outlook, it seems, have been correct.” Captain Ko raised his jaw at a painting of the cilman and scoffed: “And I think - people know this, more are aware of this thahought.”

  “roof do you have of this? ” Bri Fung shook her head.

  “Depends on what you mean by ‘proof’.” Captain Ked and chuckled: “For one, you know what happe the docks? Regarding that suform?” This earned surprised looks from both Kevin and Keryn, for they both knew about the i, and were uhe impression that the i was still unresolved a a while without updates.

  “What? The one you casually hao some intelligence dealer in the South-Eastern District?”

  Captain Ko chuckled, then almost ughed out loud. This jab did not affect Captain Ko like it would probably on other police officers or captains: “Bri, you’ve been with the city folks for too long and have fotten a lot of the potential downfalls. Chef Tang was not some random intelligence dealer. The shop stood in that distriore than a few decades, and the chef remaihe only one whose intelligenyone could fully trust - as long as you afford it.”

  “Yeah - so? It doesn’t ge the fact that the people who injured your detective got away with it - at least from the looks of it.”

  “It may surprise you, handing these men to him was the best choider the circumstances. Even if we gave them protective custody of the highest order, they’d be dead within a week.” Captain Ked.

  “Oh? And you are certain of this because whoever was behind this, they will be leveraging the un against these men?” Bri Fung scoffed: “Do you know how - how crazy that sounds? I know we have our differences - but this is - this is way too much.”

  “Humor me. You asked for proof, I’m giving you the proof that I gathered. If you let me, I expihing to the fullest extent, to the best of my abilities.” Captain Ko hen poi the sofas in the waiting area: “Maybe we should sit down first?”

  “Fine. Help yourselves to some water. ” Bri Fung sighed after a short moment of awkward silence: “Bear in mind that I only have - ten miops. I ’t miss this meeting.”

  “It’s fine.” Captain Ko sat down at a spot closest to Bri Fung.

  Kevin and Mick went to get some water, while Keryn sat by the captain’s side. Kevin took a look at Keryn, then decided t another cup of water back.

  “Dude, I think I need help with the information. Please enlighteerwards.” Mick shook his head as he sipped his water: “And - maybe when my head is clearer - I’m still a bit dizzy here.”

  “Yeah, yeah.” Kevin shrugged: “It’s - it’s on. You should get some rest after this.”

  “Sure - sure, wheually find a pce we rest.” Mick raised his eyebrows and yawned.

  “... I know you have your doubts about the chef. But here’s the thing, I received credible firmation - that those men in his custody? Majority of them are still alive.” Captain Ko pulled out a small notepad: “Of fourteen of them in total, five were dead. And the rest were somewhat willing to talk. Though, it may take some time to actually get some useful information out of them.”

  “But still - five are dead.” Bri Fung frowned: “And this is - GOOD? To you?”

  “Like I said - if they were to be put into any other kind of custody, they would all be dead.” Captain Ked: “One example - one of our detectives actually caught one of these people - people who are lio this traffig syndicate. The man was locked in a holding facility uhe ma of the South-Eastern unity collective, and without any actual human interferehe perp was killed right in front of his eyes. His throat got punctured, as if someone rammed a sharp spear through, only no one was there. And - if that sounds familiar to you, then - ”

  Kevin was expeg Bri Fung to rebut the captain. But to his surprise, she only frowned lightly and nodded, signaling the captain to tinue.

  “I see - so there ARE cases like this iy, just - ued, I assume?” Captain Ko sighed and shook his head: “Yeah, curse kills to make sure no oalks, that’s not that big of a deal, right? I’m sure the city has been seeing a rising number of those, especially retly huh?”

  “Well - actually - ” Bri Fuated, as if she was about to say something then decided against it: “ - nevermind - keep talking.”

  “And st night, something I’d never expect happened, and it prompted me to call for this meeting.” Captain Ko narrowed his eyes: “An iigator from the unity collective, who’s on the books a liaison from the collective, led a group of uified men into my prect trying to assault my officers, who had to e to my pce st night to hide.

  “Mind you, this is AFTER they asked us for help to look for those reclusive schors and monks.” Captain Ko couldn’t help but pick up Kevin’s water and drank it all, Kevin was about to remind the captain, but was not able to in time. “So - he’s trying to use US to find those schors for their OTHER employer.

  “And - I also had some dealings with Brooklyn Payly.” Captain Ko leaned back with a mysterious smile: “Guess what iing informatioold me?”

  Bri Fung’s left eye twitched at the mention of the name, she pretended she was not affected by it, yet it did not escape anyone present.

  Shout outs to my patrons:

  mant06,

  Jonathan

  Thank you very much for your support!