Darkstone Code
Chapter 230 - 0228 Days Are Hard for Everyone and the Responsibility of Citizens

Chapter 230: 0228 Days Are Hard for Everyone and the Responsibility of Citizens

The car Lynch was riding in quickly stopped in the parking lot of the Sabin City Tax Bureau. From the stance and attitude of the armed guards at the entrance, it wouldn’t be any problem to say this place is more like a police station than the Police Station itself.

After waiting a few minutes, Lynch got out of the car. He calmed the somewhat nervous Vera with a smile, then walked to the other side of the parking lot and got into another vehicle.

If anyone noticed, they would find that not too long ago, a familiar person had entered a somewhat unfamiliar car. Yes, it was Director Johnson, but whose car it was, no one could say for sure; they only knew it often appeared here and sometimes disappeared.

Once he was inside the car and had closed the door, the heavy sound of the door shutting filled the narrow space with a hard-to-describe sense of security.

Sitting in the back seat, Director Johnson couldn’t help but complain, "You shouldn’t come here looking for me; you know why..."

He meant that Lynch’s relationship with Michael made many people at the Tax Bureau know him. If Lynch and Johnson’s meeting were to be deliberately publicized, even if it didn’t cause big problems, it would certainly disgust some people.

Actually, not long ago, there were some strange rumors circulating privately within the Tax Bureau. They suggested that the real reason Michael was imprisoned was due to Director Johnson’s manipulation, and his aim was Michael’s young and beautiful wife.

These rumors were really bothersome. He had tried to catch those spreading them a few times, but ultimately, couldn’t catch anyone, and when the rumors gradually subsided, it ended with no resolution.

He didn’t want similar rumors to arise again, such as "Michael was imprisoned because Director Johnson and Lynch were too close," as these might lead to an investigation by the Tax Bureau’s Internal Affairs Department.

Only after Johnson finished complaining did Lynch ask, "Do you know the Police Station Director?"

Johnson was stunned for a moment. He had thought Lynch was looking for him regarding his own matter, but unexpectedly, it involved another powerful Director. He hesitated for one or two seconds before nodding in acknowledgment.

"Fix, did the police catch you on anything?", when Johnson first said this, his tone was a mix of gloating and teasing, but soon his brows furrowed.

If something happened to Lynch, would he be implicated?

If Lynch’s issue couldn’t be resolved quickly, would he still be able to get money from Lynch in the future?

Director Johnson’s child unfortunately lost his job too. His current salary not only had to cover himself and his family but also support his children, leaving no money for Michael’s wife and kids.

Once he retires or is transferred and his salary decreases, he won’t be able to support such a large family.

Noticing Johnson’s furrowed brow, Lynch calmly proposed a request, "I want to have a talk with Director Fix. Recently, the security situation in Sabin City hasn’t been very good, and I heard the city’s budget for police case-solving has been reduced significantly."

"As a member of Sabin City’s citizens, I believe I have the duty and necessity to contribute some efforts to the city’s safety."

That’s basically speaking with one’s eyes wide open, but Johnson roughly understood the meaning. However, he couldn’t figure out Lynch’s purpose and didn’t dare agree hastily.

If Lynch’s goal was somewhat excessive, Fix would absolutely not agree. Should there be any disputes, even if voices were just raised and sounded like quarrels, Fix would end up blaming Director Johnson.

Lynch saw through his worries and smiled, saying, "I just want to make a friend with Director Fix. Making friends isn’t a bad thing. Even if he doesn’t want to, we won’t have conflicts because of it, right?"

With Lynch’s assurance, after much hesitation, Director Johnson arranged for this meeting at noon.

In fact, Director Johnson thought it should be scheduled a few days later in the evening, as that would be more formal, but Lynch’s tight schedule only allowed for a quick arrangement.

The city had just restored order, making security the top priority. It’s undeniable that those retired soldiers played an irreplaceable role in maintaining Sabin City’s social order, which allowed Director Fix of the Police Station to breathe a bit easier.

During the general strike, his performance had not been good, with even police strikes happening under his tenure.

The mayor wasn’t a weak, indecisive, or agreeable person. From his attitude and methods towards the Ristone Group, it’s clear Fix has been anxious lately, afraid of receiving a sudden order to surrender his badge and gun or being transferred to another position, like managing the evidence and belongings warehouse.

He’s been diligently working to secure himself while also quietly trying to find anyone who might help him through this difficult time.

When Director Johnson called him, he was sitting in his office pondering these solutions, but upon hearing Lynch wanted to meet with him, he instantly became spirited.

Everyone knows that Lynch’s Interstellar Trade Company and his second-hand goods auction have already achieved tremendous success, and standing behind him is Sabin City Mayor Landon.

Lynch also has close relations with the mayor’s nephew and his agent, Mark.

It’s perfectly reasonable to consider Lynch someone close to the mayor.

Lynch immediately agreed to Director Johnson’s proposal.

At noon, in a restaurant in downtown Sabin City that had resumed business, the two sat together.

Director Fix looked to be around forty years old. He didn’t fit the stereotypical image people had of police officers—overweight, greasy, and a bit unkempt. Although there was evidence that a strong physique could induce fear, it was clear that police officers often confused obesity with strength.

He didn’t have a bloated physique; he was of a slightly overweight but not flabby build, and he didn’t have thinning hair; instead, he had a head full of thick, dark brown hair.

His appearance was ordinary, but he carried an aura of vigor, an essence bestowed by his position and the power he held.

When individuals can personally disdain most of those around them, their casual arrogance and lack of concern eventually blend into something unique, which some believe is the source of one’s aura.

"Sorry, I’m late..."

Director Fix was actually very punctual, arriving two minutes earlier than the agreed time. As he apologized for his "tardiness," he pulled out the chair and sat down.

There weren’t many people in the restaurant. In reality, few felt at ease enjoying lunch here; the middle class had to save costs to cope with an economic downturn that seemed to have no end in sight. As for the upper-echelon, they perhaps preferred dining at home due to the current unsafe conditions outside.

As for the ordinary people, they had bid farewell to places like restaurants, at least for the next year or two, unless something significant happened, they wouldn’t be coming here.

After a brief exchange, Lynch shared some of his thoughts, "I’ve noticed a problem. Patrol police cars in Sabin City are quite uncommon; mostly it’s mounted police."

Director Fix nodded, "Indeed, that’s the case. Sabin City has four precincts, but police vehicles are extremely limited. Currently, aside from each precinct having three to five police cars, the district Police Station only has six."

The district Police Station plus the precincts have less than thirty police cars altogether, which seems quite... shabby, though most second- and third-tier cities are like this.

In more remote western cities, the number of police cars in a city might only be single-digit, and many officers still patrol on horseback.

Funding has consistently been an issue hindering the development of the Police Station, but this is also the common method used by local officials to suppress the police and the Police Station.

This is a very peculiar social phenomenon where people’s safety and social order rely on the work of the police, but ordinary people are happy to see the police suppressed, and this situation even becomes a certain hidden societal need!

Many mayoral candidates, during their campaigns, will more or less advocate a viewpoint of making police and their work more regulated—implicitly suggesting they will constrain police powers once elected, which regardless of any reasoning, makes a normally thinking person find it absurd.

Yet, oddly enough, people buy into it; they enjoy seeing policemen wear a troubled expression as they are shackled.

Lynch pursed his lips, "In my personal capacity, I’ll donate ten cars to the district Police Station. Director Fix, do you think that’s appropriate?"

Director Fix was taken aback for a moment, but soon showed a look of delight. Could it be inappropriate?

It’s absolutely appropriate!

The current situation of the district Police Station is worse than outsiders imagine. Those retired veterans form a separate system, it’s even said these police officers transitioned from the military look down on the ordinary police, filled with dissatisfaction towards him, the Director.

Some of them even suggested that police should go on drills and undergo militarized training, and there were even proposals to clear out any personnel who don’t meet physical standards from the police force!

This is simply absurd; police officers are not military soldiers; they don’t need this!

But the situation is very delicate now. Director Fix’s control over this system is steadily diminishing; he is facing challenges from below. He has to do something to change the current situation.

Otherwise, the Mayor or some individuals would find some reason to get rid of him, saying he can’t even control his subordinates, always at risk of being out of control.

If he could connect with Lynch and gain these benefits, it would change his current predicament somewhat, which is good for him, an opportunity he can’t refuse!

Yet, he didn’t agree immediately, only looking at Lynch with a slightly puzzled expression, believing that capitalists extending a hand is never to help someone out of trouble, but because they see tempting returns from them.

Just like... what he’s experiencing!

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① Based on Bail Federal social relations and culture, relationships between family members (parents and children, siblings, uncles and nephews) are relatively indifferent. If there is no direct interest relationship, they will not interfere in each other’s lives and work. In Federation history, some individuals have become Presidents, but their children may still be teachers in an ordinary elementary school, earning not so high a salary.

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