Empire of Shadows

In the morning, after Hunter arranged the day's approximate work, he left the police station with the file bag, pondering a question as he drove.

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Doesn't Lance ever leave any evidence behind when he does things?

He didn't think so.

Lance wasn't a god, and even if he was, he would still leave evidence; it's just that they hadn't found it yet.

When studying at the police academy, the professor in charge of solving cases also talked about this issue: there is no perfect crime in this world.

As long as there is criminal behavior, there will inevitably be some clues left behind; what the police have to do is to find the key evidence among the many traces.

During the discussion about the bombing yesterday, he discovered a clue that wasn't very noticeable.

He didn't notice it at first either. After taking a shower at home and preparing to have a drink before going to bed, he suddenly realized something while looking at the glass in his hand and the bottle on the table—

Those broken wine bottles scattered around the barren land surrounding the farm!

Yes, broken wine bottles, Golden Lion brand wine bottles.

What clues were these wine bottles?

Some people might ask, and Hunter didn't figure it out at first either; he just subconsciously felt that it was a clue.

It took him quite a while to finally understand what he thought was wrong.

If the winery belonged to Lance, then if he exported these Golden Lion brand wines on a large scale, he would need to manufacture bottles!

As long as he could be linked to these bottles, it would be like catching his tail.

And by catching this little tail, it might be possible to convince the judge to believe that Lance not only made the bottles, but also produced wine and sold it externally.

If he didn't sell it externally, then where did so many bottles and the contents inside go?

Having figured out this key point, Hunter was quite excited and drank several more glasses to calm down his emotions.

He planned to deal with this matter when he went to work today, but this time he didn't tell anyone.

Webber's death reminded him that Lance's infiltration of the police system was very terrifying. Two branch bureaus had openly resisted his orders as the director, so in other branch bureaus, including his headquarters, were there also people who had sided with Lance?

He didn't know, and he didn't want to guess, because once he guessed, he would definitely not be able to sleep.

He drove out of the police station without telling anyone. It seemed like the police chief leaving the police station at this critical moment was an irresponsible act.

But in reality, for the police of their faction, what they were currently implementing was a "dual director system," which was Director Hunter and Director Charlie.

And Director Charlie's position was clearly higher than Director Hunter's. If they couldn't find Hunter, they would naturally call Charlie, the former director.

They were very likely to be able to contact Charlie, so Hunter leaving for a while, for an afternoon, wouldn't be a problem at all.

So this time, he didn't tell anyone and planned to personally investigate and find out. Once he obtained the key evidence, he could directly launch an arrest of Lance!

As a former leader of the criminal investigation team, he had independent case-handling experience, so he wasn't worried or afraid.

The glass factories in Goldport City were all located in the industrial area because they needed to burn fuel, and burning fuel would produce some smoke. Building a glass factory near residential areas would lead to complaints.

Therefore, most factories were concentrated in the westernmost industrial area of the city. The supporting facilities here were also very complete, the site prices were cheap, and the worker prices were not too expensive, making it very suitable for starting a business.

He arrived at what people called "Glass Street." Both sides of this street were lined with glass factories of all sizes, and almost all of the glass factories' chimneys were emitting smoke.

As the population of Goldport City continued to increase, the demand for glassware was also increasing.

After Hunter parked the car, he started walking.

The car was too conspicuous, and he was worried about being noticed out of curiosity.

He arrived at the first glass factory. The workers inside were working, and the manager immediately greeted him with a smile when he saw Hunter walking over. "Sir, is there anything I can do for you?"

Hunter also smiled. "Can you produce bottles?"

The manager said with a smile, "Of course, every factory here can do it. Can you tell me what you want these bottles for and whether they have any shape requirements?"

Hunter shook his head. "There are no special requirements. I plan to use them to hold some... liquid beverages, but I need them to be very safe because those beverages are very special."

The manager understood as soon as he said that. They also secretly helped people make wine bottles because many family workshops were also brewing various alcoholic beverages.

They needed containers to hold these things. Although these businesses might not be big, making more at once could be slowly sold off.

But he wouldn't show it. "Are you talking about carbonated drinks?"

"You can take a look at these..." He took out some prefabricated wine bottles, which were no different from those beverage bottles.

Then buy a sealing machine, cover it with iron sheet and press it hard, and a well-sealed wine bottle will appear, but this is obviously not what Hunter wants.

He shook his head and took out a drawing of a wine bottle that he had drawn himself, with slightly more complicated craftsmanship.

The manager just glanced at it and shook his head. "Sorry, we don't make this."

The wine bottles he provided could also be said to be soda bottles. If they were implicated in a lawsuit, they could completely find an excuse to say that the other party wanted soda bottles and that they were selling soda bottles.

As for what the buyer did with the soda bottles, it had nothing to do with them.

But if they directly sold bottles that were obviously wine bottles, they would definitely be held jointly liable.

Hunter took out the prepared photo of the Golden Lion Whiskey bottle. He stared at the manager. "What about this one?"

The manager frowned and looked at it, a little impatiently. "Sorry, we don't provide these. I hope you can ask elsewhere, or I'll have to call the police."

Hunter raised his hands. "I didn't mean to offend you. I'll leave now."

The manager shook his head as he watched him leave, not really being ignorant enough to call the police. This kind of thing always happened a few times.

Hunter wandered around this road for a morning without any gains. When he was about to finish turning around the shops on this side of the road, he stopped outside a "Golden Star Glass Factory."

The factory didn't seem too busy. Several workers were standing at the door smoking cigarettes. He glanced at them and walked towards the workers.

Whether it was this era or any other time, as long as it was in the Federation.

If a stranger clearly walks towards you with a purpose, you'd better make two preparations.

First, if the other party pulls out a weapon, you'd better immediately raise your hands and cooperate with the other party. Whether he wants your necklace or your shoes or hat, you'd better give it to him, otherwise he might really shoot you twice or stab you twice.

For these people, committing crimes is like being uncomfortable after getting up every day. They are already used to it, and even a little inseparable from it.

Second, if the other party doesn't pull out a weapon, then you'd better run away, he might just have a temporary intention, so you have a chance to save your property.

However, if your running ability is not very good, and the other party inherited the physical strength and speed of their ancestors working under the scorching sun, then you'd better stand there and cooperate, because you will be caught up and then have your nasal bone broken.

These workers all stood up and stared at Hunter.

Hunter took out two dollars from his pocket. "I have a question."

The workers looked at each other. One of them, who seemed more prestigious, stood out. "What do you want to ask?"

"I've been working on this street for over twenty years. There's nothing I don't know here."

Hunter tilted his head, signaling them to go aside to talk. The man didn't refuse and followed Hunter to the side.

The worker tentatively took the two dollars from Hunter's hand. Hunter didn't stop him, which made the worker's face show a lot of smiles.

"I want to order a batch of glass products, but I've looked for several companies and they all refused. Some even said they would call the police."

The worker wasn't surprised when he heard these words. "Someone was arrested for making bottles for wine, imprisoned, fined, you know, the law is just a toy for those big shots!"

"They can convict you however they want."

The worker's words were full of dissatisfaction with the current judiciary and law enforcement. Hunter pursed his lips. "If I want this batch of wine bottles, who should I look for?"

The worker hesitated a little. They now produce a large batch of wine bottles and send them out every once in a while. In principle, they can produce them, but the manager has the final say on this matter.

His hesitation made Hunter realize that this glass factory was also producing wine bottles. He directly took out the photo of the broken Golden Lion Whiskey bottle. "It's this kind."

He stared at the worker's expression. The worker's expression changed uncontrollably the moment he saw the photo!

This change made Hunter clench his fists. He knew he had found it!

The worker pushed the photo back. "Sorry, I can't make the decision on this matter. You have to go find the manager."

Saying that, he turned to leave. "I've already answered your two dollars' worth."

Hunter smiled. "It doesn't matter, I'll chat with your manager later."

He didn't go to find the manager.

As an old police officer, he knew very well that going to find the manager at this time would only alarm the manager and those behind him, so he left immediately.

As for the worker?

He received two dollars. He probably wouldn't talk carelessly. He understood these workers well.

They liked to take small advantages, but were afraid of getting into trouble.

He just didn't know that after the workers returned, they proactively discussed the matter with the manager. They had worked together for many years, and the workers felt that this person might cause damage to the factory.

He didn't want to lose his job.

"What did he say to you?"

The worker honestly recounted what had happened earlier, and specifically added, "The way he spoke was a bit like a policeman, not like a gangster. You know, the way gangsters and policemen speak is different."

After listening, the manager could only glare at him, "So you answered his questions?"

"Shit!"

"You better pray the boss doesn't think this is a problem!"

"Now, get out of my sight! I get a headache just looking at you!"

Several workers left. They had all worked at this factory for a dozen or twenty years and had deep feelings for it, and their relationship with the manager was also good.

These scoldings weren't really a big deal to them.

After watching them leave, the manager dialed Lance's number.

"Mr. Lance, we've encountered a little trouble here," he said euphemistically, not getting straight to the point.

Lance didn't initially guess what he was talking about, "Did a gang cause you trouble?"

"Let their leader answer the phone."

"No, no, no, that's not the problem."

"Just now, someone who might be a policeman came to inquire whether we could produce wine bottles, and he showed us a picture of the Golden Lion wine bottle."

"I suspect he knows something."

"Also, just now outside the factory, there seemed to be some probing between him and the workers. I'm not sure if the workers revealed anything."

Lance frowned. He really hadn't thought about this issue.

Fortunately, although he had acquired the factory, the factory's information hadn't changed. The only potential problem was that these workers had seen him.

Of course, this wasn't a problem either. Lawyer Robben could solve it. Lawyer Robben was not only proficient in delaying tactics, but also had connections above.

But this was just a nuisance.

"Wait a moment, I'll arrange for someone to go over."

After he hung up the phone, he had Devon come over. The young man had been in the limelight recently and was very willing to participate in various activities.

"Go to Mr. Blue's place. He'll give you some photos. Take the photos to our glass factory in the factory district, and then have the manager identify who the person who came earlier was, and then bring the photos back."

"If the photos you take don't have the person he saw, then take him to see Blue. Leave the rest to Blue, understand?"

Devon repeated what Lance had instructed him, and after confirming that everything was correct, he left.

Afterwards, Lance also made a phone call to Blue. Since he was transferred to the Forest Police Station, he had refused to take office and had been staying at home.

He was waiting, waiting for Lance to deal with Charlie and Hunter, and then take back what he had lost, with interest.

He was happy to help with Lance's request. There were also many activities within the police force every year, and they would also take photos as souvenirs. Blue took out some photos taken during police force activities in recent years, and the main personnel were all on them.

The heads of various branches, high-level officials of the headquarters, and some star police officers were on them, including graduation photos from several sessions of the police academy—

As the head of a branch, Blue was qualified to participate in each graduation ceremony as an "honorary alumnus," which could be considered an "alumni relationship."

When Devon took these photos to the glass factory manager, the manager easily found Hunter in the photos and said very confidently, "It's this person."

"Are you sure?" Devon asked. He actually knew Hunter. This knowing didn't mean that he and Hunter were friends or had talked, just that he knew that person was the chief of the police station, nothing more.

The manager nodded, confirming again and again, "Yes, it's this person. I won't forget him. He just came over."

Devon directly picked up the phone and temporarily asked the manager to leave, "It's Hunter."

"Hunter?" Lance was a little surprised by this result.

Lance frowned. He didn't know why Hunter would go in person, but this was indeed not good news, "Let the manager answer the phone."

After waiting for a while, the manager's voice came from the receiver, and Lance continued, "This matter has made me realize that we need to make some changes and move the factory to Golden Star City. We have people there who will arrange everything for you."

"At that time, we will have a larger factory, more advanced machines, and more workers. You tell the workers that they will become team leaders or something, and their wages will also increase."

"If they are unwilling to go with us, then give them some money and let them learn to shut up, otherwise my people will help them!"

"You immediately talk to the workers, and then immediately close the factory."

"Take the people, leave there, immediately!"

Lance quickly made arrangements. This wasn't entirely because Hunter had discovered the factory.

Lawrence Farm had a large output, and Golden Star City was obviously closer to Lawrence Farm, and the alcohol ban there wasn't too strict.

The manager agreed. He couldn't live without Lance now. His life now and his past life were two extremes!

In the past, his wife was always sighing and always insinuating that he was unwilling to fire redundant workers, which was dragging them down.

She was always complaining about everything!

But now she had changed. She didn't complain anymore, she had become tolerant, benevolent, and compassionate.

She didn't care how the manager's factory was doing, and even joked with a smile that as long as she didn't lack her money, she wouldn't care even if the manager found another mistress outside.

In middle age, they had basically seen the essence of life clearly.

The demands of people at the bottom of society for life are actually very low, as long as they don't live in poverty and are not troubled by money.

Everything else is bullshit!

So going to live in other places is not a problem at all!

The manager put down the phone and walked from the office to the factory building, "Everyone come over..."

More than ten minutes later, the entire factory was shut down, and the workers all went home.

As for the manager, he directly bought a train ticket to Golden Star City. This time he went alone.

Hunter, who had returned to the police station, made a phone call to Charlie.

"I caught Lance's little tail."

This sentence, with a slightly smug tone, stunned Charlie for a while, "How did you do it?"

He explained his discovery and probing, "I can be sure that even if that factory didn't produce wine bottles for Lance, they should know who is producing these wine bottles!"

After listening, Charlie thought for a while, "Tell Director Dale about this. It's too slow to get a search warrant through judicial channels. The Dangerous Goods Administration has its own judicial office. Let them send us the documents directly."

He paused and said, "No, I'll talk to him. Find some manpower, trustworthy people. I don't want you to just say it here, and Lance knows about it there."

Although there was no evidence to show that the farm winery was Lance's, they all defaulted that it was Lance's farm.

The four major families are now sluggish. The Coda family's wine all relies on smuggling, which everyone knows, and even the Prohibited Goods Administration knows.

There is a reason why they don't investigate. After all, a considerable part of the profits generated by these wines has to be sent to Jinzhou.

Then, in the city, the only one with such a large production demand is the Lance family!

Hunter immediately mobilized some police officers, and Charlie told Director Dale about this, who immediately agreed.

Now he was extremely overwhelmed. If he could catch the behind-the-scenes operator of the ranch, it would be an opportunity for him to make amends.

At least it could clear his suspicion!

Half an hour later, the search warrant was delivered to Hunter's hands. He personally led eight police cars, whirring and wailing, to the glass street in the factory district.

When he saw the closed factory door, after showing a surprised expression, he slammed the steering wheel!