Shadow Empire

Chapter 815 Pressure
An entire night of interstate highway control caused some rumors to spread throughout society.

Rumors are never logical or rational.

Because if there is logic and reason, then this is not a fucking rumor!

The purpose of rumors is to shock people, make them feel unbelievable, and yet make them deeply involved!

All kinds of rumors were flying around overnight.

A little after eight in the morning, the phone in front of Lance started to ring. He picked it up and said, "It's me."

Erwin's voice came from the receiver, "We may not be able to go back anytime soon, so we have to stay here for a while."

"I just asked two young men to take a look. There are roadblocks on both lanes now. They already have a fax of the photos in their hands. I don't dare to take any risks."

In fact, photos of Matthew's family were sent to various road police stations via fax at midnight yesterday. However, it was too late at night and it was difficult for the police to distinguish whether those people were the ones who were faxed.

Erwin was thankful that at that time most police stations were still using older fax machines, which had a lower dot density and appeared to be somewhat distorted.

As it was getting late, they forced their way through two roadblocks and then stopped, deciding to find a place to hide for a while.

This high-intensity checkpoint cannot last too long. They will go back when the intensity drops.

He told Lance about his idea, and Lance was quite supportive. He also asked curiously, "Are you exposed?"

After listening to this, Erwin sighed, "Matthew's eldest son didn't come back from college. Allen said he would go and take care of him. Maybe something unexpected happened to him."

He also explained some of Allen's behavior. "Our idea at the time was that if he, the eldest son, was still alive and safe, there would be a way out for Matthew."

"Matthew will have no way out unless this man is kidnapped or killed."

Having a way out and having no way out are definitely two different things.

It's like the ultimate gamblers in a casino, facing the same game where they have to bet everything.

Once gamblers with no way out lose, their only outcome is to jump off the roof of the casino.

Many similar incidents happen in Jingang Casino every year, so much so that Lance had people close the passage to the top floor and put up slogans like "Please don't jump from the building here", but he still couldn't stop these people from jumping down.

Because as long as they leave the casino, it means they have no future, so they might as well jump!
But it’s different for gamblers who have a way out. If they lose, they lose. Even if they lose everything, they still have a way out.

They can also leave calmly and life can go on.

Lance understood what they meant, and as long as there was a child with Sheriff Matthew, he would weigh "abandoning these kidnapped families" as an option and then turn the result into hatred because he still had a child.

Only when he has no children left, giving up will not be an option.

Lance was a little annoyed after hearing this, "There's no need to kidnap that college student, just kill him secretly."

Erwin smiled bitterly and said, "It's my fault. I didn't handle it decisively enough."

Lance did not comfort him. "You think things are too simple and too complicated. If you want to create opportunities that he cannot give up, just eliminate those choices that you think are unnecessary and leave him no chance to choose."

"How is the situation now?"

"Where's Alan?"

Erwin lit a cigarette. "I'm not sure, but I haven't heard of the kidnapper being arrested. He may still be on the run."

Lance didn't pay too much attention to Alan's news. He knew Alan. This guy seemed to be cheerful and easy to get along with most of the time and could be friends with anyone, but he was actually very strong-willed.

It is unlikely that he can be captured alive.

He has a quick mind, maybe he has also gone into hiding, but there is no chance to contact him yet.

Lance thought for a moment and then instructed, "I'll get this done as soon as possible, in a day or two, you guys take a break first."

"Although the Luke will be removed by then, they will definitely still chase you, so be careful."

"Call me before you leave, and keep the lines open."

Lance hung up the phone and after thinking for a while, he called Mr. Jeffrey (Secretary of State of Likalai State).

The job of the Secretary of State is more "commercialized" and "capitalized," and all aspects of business are managed by the Secretary of State.

Both Lance's casino and his winery are major taxpayers in Likalai State. In addition, Lance has the support of people in Congress, so the relationship between Lance and Jeffrey can be said to be pretty good!

Jeffrey has not shown any interest in the position of governor at this time, so his relationship with Attorney General Terry is not tense.

Not everyone wants to be governor, because sometimes, as the person most likely to become governor, the political capital and profit gained by taking a step back is far greater than taking a step forward!

As to whether he will take a step forward or a step back, it depends on the political situation in Likalai State after the war.

But at present, they are still a very harmonious government management team.

Mr. Jeffrey seemed very enthusiastic when he received Lance's call. No one could be indifferent to a big taxpayer like Lance, not to mention that Lance knew how to behave and had people supporting him behind the scenes.

"Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Lance!"

"By the way, call me Brand, that's what my friends call me."

Brandt Jeffrey was the name of the Secretary of State. Lance did not refuse. This was actually a temptation to get in touch with each other.

“Brand, the road from Indeno State to Likalai State was blocked by their highway police, and now many vehicles are paralyzed on the road.”

"Some of my clients and I have a lot of supplies that need to be transported back, but it's difficult for us to communicate with them. I thought maybe you could help."

Mr. Brand did not immediately express his opinion after hearing these words. “Can I first understand the situation?”

Of course Lance wouldn't refuse, "Please go ahead, I'll call you in five minutes."

Soon the Secretary of State learned the specific situation through his own channels and found out that all three interstate highways were blocked.

Originally, the section of road where Sheriff Matthew was located was not involved in the work of setting up checkpoints to check passing vehicles, but because nothing was found throughout the night, someone suggested that these people might have taken a detour to return to Likale State from other places, so all three interstate highways were blocked.

The throughput of interstate highways may seem low, but in fact this illusion occurs when the vehicles are traveling at very high speeds.

Once the speed of vehicles slows down, the interstate highway will suddenly appear congested. After all, federal interstate highways are basically single-lane highways in both directions.

Moreover, there have always been a large number of people transporting illegal items on interstate highways. Now that vehicles are suddenly inspected so strictly, some vehicles that have nothing to do with this case will also cause some disturbances.

From last night till now, the traffic has become increasingly congested.

The Secretary of State only understood this part of the content. He didn't care why the Inden State Highway Police set up a checkpoint.

Five minutes later, the two were back on the phone. "I've learned that they have indeed paralyzed the interstate highway. What do you want me to do?"

Lance said decisively, "Put pressure on the Indeno state government. You can protest to their governor. Their actions have seriously damaged the friendship between our two states and caused some of our factories to stagnate."

"Just putting pressure on?" Mr. Brand was a little surprised, but he quickly realized that the reason why he was not allowed to make any further comments on the matter or take any countermeasures was that Lance must have other means.

He then smiled and agreed, "No problem, Lance, it's just a simple thing."

"Should I call him now, or wait a while?" Lance glanced at his watch. "Nine forty-five, which is fifteen minutes later."

"no problem."

"Is there anything else?"

"that's all, thanks!"

"You are welcome!"

Mr. Brand's cooperation made Lance more confident that the matter could be resolved quickly. He then called Mayor Wade. External pressure alone was not enough, internal pressure was also needed.

Mayor Wade has also been paying attention to this matter. This matter is quite a big deal and many places have known about it.

But rumors were also flying everywhere. Some said they had discovered a spy, while others said a traitor was on the run.

These rumors can more or less fit some of the current situation. After all, during war, it is indeed possible for spies or traitors to appear.

But some are even more outrageous. Alien enthusiasts say they have discovered living aliens and the police and military are hunting down the aliens. They call on people not to do so because it could trigger an interstellar war!

This rumor is obviously false. How could an interstellar war possibly be started if people can't even break through the atmosphere?
It can only be a one-sided beating.

There are countless rumors of all kinds, and no one knows how the people spread them. Is there anyone who deliberately spreads this matter? Otherwise, how could the entire Indeno State know about it overnight when it is obviously just a matter of a few regions?
He was not surprised to receive Lance's call. Instead, he thought that this call might bring some changes to the current situation.

"it's me."

Mayor Wade paused his work after hearing Lance's voice. He asked his secretary to leave first. After the office door was completely closed, he said, "What can I do for you?"

Since the two of them have already reached a cooperative relationship, it is natural for them to help each other in their first cooperation.

Lance's tone seemed relaxed, which made Mayor Wade wonder if those people had already escaped. "If I send Sheriff Matthew to you, can you solve my problem?"

Lance's problem?
What's his problem?
Mayor Wade quickly thought of the problem that Lance wanted to solve, and asked the Director of the State Police to contact a group of police officers in that section of the road, including Sheriff Matthew.

Lance is not afraid of being charged with killing a police officer, but he also does not want to challenge the charge of massacring police officers. These are two completely different things.

Everything he did was just for this purpose. As for whether he could help Mayor Wade, it depended on whether Mayor Wade himself had enough ability.

"No problem at all, you can trust me," he said promptly.

Lance's response was direct, "Wait for my news."

After hanging up the phone, Mayor Wade looked at the receiver in his hand with a smile on his face.

If Sheriff Matthew fell into his hands and was able to fully cooperate with some of his work, he would definitely give the Deputy Governor a hard knock!
The blow to the deputy governor's morale is definitely good news for him and those in his camp.

This is how struggle works: if you are stronger, others will be weaker. It is simple and direct.

At 9:45, the Secretary of State called the Governor of Indore to protest the blocking of the interstate.

In fact, the governor also knows about this. Just as Mayor Wade said, for a big shot like him, setting up checkpoints on the interstate highway is just a small matter and it will cause a traffic jam.

Now that the Secretary of State of the neighboring state called him, he began to feel unhappy about the matter, because he had lost face because of it.

Secretary of State Brand's words were a bit harsh and the wording was strong. If some of their actions affected the production of companies in Likalai State, they would hold Indeno State accountable.

This was not the first time that a conflict arose between the two states and a lawsuit was filed in Congress. He could only appease Secretary of State Brand with a few words and then hung up the phone.

Likale State has developed very well in recent years, with outstanding performance in both economy and politics. Compared with Indeno State, their development momentum is obviously stronger and their status in Congress is also higher.

The federation is such a realistic place, even Congress.

So the governor couldn't take the matter too lightly, so he casually called the deputy governor and, in a not-too-polite tone, asked him to resolve the matter as soon as possible and restore the traffic to normal.

As for the kidnapping case or whatever, he didn't really take it to heart.

Aren’t there a lot of cases that the federal government can’t solve every year?

Compared to his face and the friendship with his "brother state" Likalai State, this matter is not a big deal.

He sat behind the table and thought for a long time before returning to work and quickly putting the matter behind him.

The deputy governor was inexplicably reprimanded, and he could only frown and call the director of the state police department, "Have you stopped the intercontinental kilometer?"

The State Police Commissioner had no idea why the Deputy Governor was asking about this, so he could only answer truthfully, "Yes, it is related to..."

"I don't care what it involves. Likale State has protested to the governor about your actions, which has caused some important production there to be unable to proceed. Production may have to stop."

"The governor has pushed this matter to me. I don't want to hear your explanation. You just need to tell me when traffic can be restored."

The chief of the state police felt a little numb on his scalp. After being silent for seven or eight seconds, he said, "I will cancel the roadblock immediately."

After hearing this, the deputy governor used a "humph" to express that he understood and his emotions.

At the same time, Sheriff Matthew sat in a chair, staring at the sky outside the window.

The sky is still cool in November. When winter comes, the humidity in the air will begin to decrease and there will be fewer clouds than in summer.

At first glance, the blue sky stretches as far as the eye can see, just like a whole blue crystal dome inlaid in the sky, which is very pleasing to the eye.

His thoughts were like those thin clouds, without any shape and drifting away.

It's been a night and there's no good news.

They found some abandoned police cars, which meant that the suspects had changed vehicles, but too much time had passed, more than ten hours already, and no one knew where these people had gone.

Although he is rich and can find some young girls to give birth to children for him, it is difficult for him to invest more emotion and time in his family and children as he did in the past.

It was difficult for him to find the feeling of "love" and "family" from those young women and the children they gave birth to.

He understood this very well. From the moment he lost his family, he was the only one in the world!
The deep sadness filled his body at the thought of this and he closed his eyes sadly. He had never been so vulnerable before!

In fact, men have all fantasized about life after divorce. He had also fantasized about it, but when such a situation really became possible, he felt panicked and uncomfortable.

Life and existence are being torn apart. This pain is not born from the flesh, but it is more unbearable than physical pain!
He slowly opened his eyes and looked at the phone on the table with his stiff eyeballs. Just as he was considering whether to pick up the phone, the phone rang first.

He was startled and his hands trembled. He watched the phone ring three or four times before he reached out to answer it. "This is... the Sheriff's Office of the Section Branch. This is Matthew."

"Sheriff Matthew."

It was a voice that had never been heard before, a very steady voice, without any extra emotion in it, which made Sheriff Matthew's scalp slightly tingle.

This feeling was very strange and magical. He subconsciously straightened his body and said, "I am Matthew. Who are you?"

"Lance, Lance White, might be the person you're looking for."

All the muscles in Sheriff Matthew's body were tense. He tightly grasped the receiver of the phone. "My wife and children are with you?"

Lance didn't deny it, but he didn't continue the topic. "I want to make a deal with you about your family."

(End of this chapter)