Starting from South America, speeding through the world

Chapter 313 "Land of Wolves"

Night fell through the glass windows high up, illuminating the carpet.

The courthouse corridor was unnaturally quiet.

The marble walls were bathed in a dim, yellowish light.

What did you write in the documents you submitted?

Zhou Yi leaned back on the bench, crossed his arms, and asked.

Beside him, Daniel looked up but did not answer immediately.

He seemed to be weighing things up, or perhaps confirming that no one was around.

"Are you sure you want to listen?"

Zhou Yi nodded.

“It’s all fake evidence.” Daniel spread his palms out. “It’s been cut, pieced together, and cobbled together.”

“Take certain fragments of your past actions, label them as ‘unofficial assets,’ and then fabricate a story that can make sense.”

"and then?"

"Then, the judge reviewed it and determined that it was sufficient to fall under the category of 'national security.' You know, nobody will pursue that further."

A brief silence.

Zhou Yi looked somewhat surprised and gave an ambiguous "hmm".

"You find it strange?"

Daniel took out a cigarette, lit it, and gave one to Zhou Yi.

"The legal representative violated the law by voluntarily revealing confidential information to you."

The nicotine slid smoothly into his lungs, and Zhou Yi tilted his head back slightly, exhaling white mist.

"This is only the second time in my life I've seen you," he said.

"And you've been so cooperative, revealing almost everything."

Upon hearing this, Daniel chuckled softly.

“I know your abilities, and I also know that you don’t like beating around the bush.”

"Wilson asked me to tell the whole story to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings."

Zhou Yi stared at him for a few seconds, then shrugged slightly.

“Can I see the documents?” he asked.

Daniel replied somewhat helplessly, "Of course."

He pushed the paper bag towards him.

The seal had been broken long ago, and there were still faded ink marks in the corner.

Several photos taken overseas have had their resolution deliberately reduced, making the backgrounds unrecognizable.

The task briefing, which was covered in large areas of black, was cut out and pasted onto a blank sheet of paper.

Originally unrelated information has now been forcibly pieced together into a causal chain.

Further down, several pages are labeled with so-called "contact statements".

All of them were vague code names and altered geographical coordinates.

When put together, they resemble a chain of evidence for a "secret operation without Congress's knowledge."

In the end, it was a short, printed memo.

It bears the title of a judge's office, but the content is not about himself.

A summary of accounts involving transactions between several real estate trusts and private funds.

The dates on the signatures are surprisingly close.

"This is... the judge in this case? You're going to show this to him?"

"Damn it, you shouldn't have seen this."

"You did this on purpose, didn't you?"

As Zhou Yi spoke, he returned the document.

"Maybe. Maybe not."

Daniel extinguished his cigarette and resealed the brown paper bag.

"Maybe I'm just an ordinary person who failed to get into military school, deprived of the opportunity to choose by my parents. Now I can only pretend to be something I'm not in."

"Anyway, goodbye, John. It was great to meet you in person."

After saying that, he picked up his briefcase, turned around, and walked away.

Their steps were decisive, leaving no room for retreat.

Zhou Yi stood there, stunned for a moment.

Then he laughed and took his phone out of his pocket.

Before I could even dial Jim's number—

The woman's question rang out at the end of the corridor.

“Mr. Garcia.” Zhou Yi turned his head and saw the policewoman named Kate.

"What was that in court just now?" She walked right up to it before stopping.

Why was the case rejected?

There was no anger, no questioning, just pure confusion.

Zhou Yi was in a rare good mood and didn't get up and leave immediately.

“You’re a detective,” he said. “You should know better than anyone that what happens in court isn’t necessarily related to the case itself.”

Kate shook her head.

“I don’t understand. Four people died, you were at the scene, and I took you back. The state prosecutor has physical evidence, witnesses, and reports, which is enough to prosecute anyone.”

"But the judge didn't say anything and just rejected it without giving any reason."

"This is illogical, and it doesn't even resemble a typical CIPA motion."

You came to ask me for an answer?

Zhou Yi lit another cigarette.

Kate nodded.

"I want to know what would make them let a suspect go."

"A suspect?" Zhou Yi sighed.

“Kate, please, you’re here too.”

“You yourself said in your report that I did not resist and cooperated with the arrest.”

"If I were really the murderer, why wouldn't I leave? Why would I stand there waiting for you?"

Kate paused for a few seconds, then said, "I've seen the photos. Those people aren't ordinary people."

"You really want to know?"

".yes."

Zhou Yi raised his hand and waved away the smoke swirling around him.

"Unfortunately, I don't know either. Maybe it's something insignificant."

Kate's fingers clenched unconsciously.

She wanted to argue, but not a single word came out of her throat.

Zhou Yi looked at her, then suddenly changed his tone, becoming so relaxed it was almost teasing:
"However, I still have to thank you."

Kate was a little confused.

"Thank me?"

"In court, you said I cooperated well and there was no blood."

"Very dedicated, more honest than I imagined, and of course, more timid."

"I guess during the practice sessions, your boyfriend probably taught you how to talk in a way that would keep me pinned down at the table, right?"

"But when you got to the actual courtroom, you hesitated."

"Whether it's out of so-called professional ethics, or because they were frightened by me or by my past."

Zhou Yi smiled and flicked the cigarette ash into the trash can next to him.

“This is not a good habit, Kate—being indecisive and hesitant.”

"In the end, you will only lose your allies, your backers, and everything else."

"Of course, as a former suspect, I must say I admire this weakness."

Kate's breath hitched, and her face grew even paler.

In return, I'd like to offer you a friendly reminder.

“If I were you, Kate Rivers, I would leave here.”

Zhou Yi paused briefly at this point, then continued:
"The 'here' I'm referring to is this country, while there's still time."

"Because you are not 'Calhoun'."

Kate understood the meaning behind those words, and froze instantly.

"You...me..." After struggling for a long time, she managed to speak, her voice trembling.

Why did you choose to tell me all this?

"Because I suddenly wanted to try to be a good person," Zhou Yi said.

“Kate, you’re still trying to believe in some rules.”

"Law, procedure, evidence. Even if you see them torn to shreds with your own eyes."

"That's why I'm reminding you not to put your hopes on these things anymore."

"The outside world is not a university philosophy class, much less a state law."

“There are only wolves there, Kate.”

"And the most unfortunate thing is that you are not one of them."

(End of this chapter)