Chapter 102: Come On, Let’s Hurt Each Other
Strawberry Town Police Department.
Davey’s arrival caught the officers off guard. They naturally recognized this man who had long cooperated with the station.
“Mr. Callander.”
Lyle stepped up to greet him, his eyes flickering uneasily. He had worked with Davey to get rid of Sheriff Hanley, yet now he was very likely to lose the election for sheriff, putting him in a foul mood.
Luke walked over as well, wearing the look of a man who believed he’d already won. “Mr. Callander.”
Back when Davey had gone to break Micah free, it was Officer Luke who tipped him off and even accepted a small reward. Now, Luke also knew that Davey was the one supporting Lyle.
But with Mayor Timmins backing him, Luke saw the election as already decided.
Even so, he had no intention of breaking with Davey; he would still need him later for the moonshine business.
“Officer Lyle, Officer Luke, I have an appointment with Mayor Timmins in the sheriff’s office to discuss a few matters.”
“Mayor Timmins should arrive soon.”
Davey’s forcefulness left the officers uncertain. None of them had ever seen someone just take over the sheriff’s office to hold a private meeting.
But with no sheriff at the moment, no one knew whether they should agree or say no.
Davey simply walked straight into the sheriff’s office and shut the door behind him, leaving the officers looking at one another in confusion.
...
About half an hour later, Mayor Timmins appeared, his expression dark. Donal followed close behind.
“Where is that gentleman? Is he in the sheriff’s office?” Timmins asked Luke directly.
Luke tensed. He could tell something was shifting in a direction that wouldn’t benefit him—yet there was nothing he could do to stop it.
“Yes, Mr. Timmins, he’s in the sheriff’s office.”
Timmins walked straight in and pushed open the door.
“Mr. Timmins, didn’t anyone teach you that barging in without knocking is extremely rude?”
Davey sat in the sheriff’s chair, a cigarette between his fingers, looking at Timmins as he spoke.
Timmins closed the door behind him and took several steps toward Davey, growling, “Sir, what exactly do you want?”
Davey smiled. “Mayor Timmins, you know very well what I want. Why bother pretending otherwise?”
Timmins snapped, “I will never allow Strawberry Town to fall into the hands of gangs like yours. This place belongs to the people.”
Seeing Timmins’ stubbornness, Davey lost any desire to keep up the politeness. He crushed the cigarette out on the desk.
“Mr. Timmins, I’m giving you two choices.”
“Either you cooperate with me. Aside from the police department’s usual cut, I’ll give you an additional two hundred dollars every month.”
“And I promise to purchase property and open shops in Strawberry Town, providing not fewer than five jobs.”
“Or you reject my offer and become my enemy.”
“Maybe you’ll win this election, Mr. Timmins. But Sheriff Hanley is dead—do you really think the next sheriff will be safe?”
“I don’t mind replacing the sheriff of Strawberry Town… and replacing the mayor while I’m at it.”
Timmins’ eyes widened. “You killed Sheriff Hanley? You murderer!”
Davey answered calmly, “Mr. Mayor, this country values evidence. Be careful with accusations.”
“My time is extremely valuable. I don’t intend to waste it on nonsense. I’m giving you ten seconds to choose.”
“Become my friend, or… my enemy.”
But Timmins seemed unfazed by the threat. He said coldly, “Murderer, I am of the Nicholas family. If you dare kill me, you’ll face the Nicholas family’s revenge.”
“Perhaps in this remote western town, a brute like you doesn’t understand the power of the Nicholas family. You should ask around first—offending us is a price you cannot afford.”
Timmins’ self-introduction truly surprised Davey; he had never even heard of the Nicholas family.
“Maybe you should take a look at the police station’s lobby, Mr. Timmins. The most prominent wanted poster is for the Blackwater robbery: Van der Linde.”
“It’s an honor. Standing before you is Davey Callander, who also took part in that job.”
“Do you really think your family can save your life?”
Davey was speechless for a moment. So he wants to reveal his identity? As if I can’t do the same.
Fine then—let’s hurt each other.
Let’s see whether your Nicholas family is tougher, or the pistol in my hand.
Here in West Elizabeth, he was already a wanted man. Killing a few more people made little difference.
“I’m curious, Mr. Timmins. We don’t have any conflict. Even if you chose Officer Luke, he would still cooperate with me.”
“It’s clearly a win-win situation. So why refuse?”
Author's Note
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