"He’s starting to panic..."
In a place unseen by the group, some were observing the situation in the room. From the moment Lynch entered, Mr. Fox’s eyes showed a clear panic; their plan had succeeded.
Most criminals don’t fear much when caught alone, as they can choose certain truths to disclose, skirting around the issues, or shift some blame onto others, thus reducing their own guilt.
But if two or more accomplices are caught, an uncontrollable panic spreads within these people. They will consider whether others have confessed, what they’ve confessed to, how they confessed, and if it aligns with what they themselves said and thought.
In such circumstances, two scenarios arise: the first is total silence, a rarity that maybe happens once every three to five years. The other scenario is talking excessively, with nothing to hide, revealing everything.
The Financial Crime Investigation Section is just an office, yet it’s part of the FBI, always dealing with various criminals. They know how to apply pressure on prisoners and how to get what they want.
Lynch saw Mr. Fox trying to stand when he entered the room, but he didn’t get up. The situation was a bit subtle. After giving Fox an assuring glance, Lynch calmly sat on the sofa.
His calm demeanor made Mr. Fox regain his composure. Some things he hadn’t considered started surfacing in his mind—for instance, Lynch had advised to avoid taking loose change from others.
Perhaps Lynch had foreseen this. He was prepared, with this thought easing Mr. Fox’s originally tense expression and relaxing his body.
The expert in the room frowned, observing Mr. Fox’s changes. Although he didn’t understand why Lynch’s presence hadn’t added pressure on Fox but instead relaxed him, it was evidently a bad sign.
He immediately instructed the action group members in the room to continue without awaiting the lawyer’s arrival. Meanwhile, this expert harbored a hypothesis, barely believable even to himself, that the true mastermind behind the entire case wasn’t Mr. Fox, the old fox, but the seemingly ordinary young man.
Hence, he internalized the notion that this matter might go awry. Misjudging the primary and secondary leads to different targeting setups, different methods, and therefore an inevitable outcome.
It’s like torturing a soldier won’t shake an entire dynasty. Misjudging primary and secondary roles means they won’t capture the key figures!
The action group members in the office hesitated, coughed lightly, glanced at Lynch, and said, "Mr. Lynch has just arrived, so he might not be aware of why we’ve invited some folks here..."
As he spoke, Mr. Fox interrupted, "Before the lawyer arrives, we refuse to answer any questions!"
Initially, the somewhat indifferent investigator sneered, bluntly pointing at Mr. Fox, "You can shut up; I’m not addressing you!" He finished, meeting Fox’s gaze briefly, then turned to Lynch. "We received a tip-off that you’re laundering money through a laundromat. Do you admit?"
This question seemed as ridiculous as asking someone if they admit to a crime; how could a true criminal possibly confess?
The investigator was trying to bluff Lynch due to his youth, hoping for a chance success. With several recording and camera devices in the room, any incriminating expressions, even a sarcastic nod, could serve as evidence.
Evidence hinges on objective facts: regardless of Lynch’s thoughts at the moment, if he admitted or made gestures implying admission, the court would deem it a confession.
This tactic works well against young people. Their age drives a desire to challenge authority impulsively; failure to resist this impulse means they are caught.
As the investigator waited expectantly, Lynch’s expressions and actions seemed slow; he first frowned before displaying an air of confusion, as if silently asking, "What the heck?"
Of course, Lynch, being a highly educated young man, wouldn’t be so crude. A few seconds later, he acted like following a script, saying, "Where’s the evidence?" Reclining back into the sofa’s support, slightly spreading his hands, "Even without a lawyer, I know any accusation requires evidence, including summons and interrogation..." He glanced at Mr. Fox, exchanging a look, and Mr. Fox stood up.
Lynch nodded slightly, tilting his head as if watching a show, observing Mr. Fox’s next performance.
"If it weren’t for Mr. Lynch’s reminder, I almost forgot. You forcibly detained me here; is there a summons, a warrant?" He immediately started causing a fuss.
Judicial procedures dictate that for both the investigative bureau and tax bureau, appropriate paperwork is required for enforcement. For instance, the investigative bureau must issue a summons to question someone and a warrant if arresting an individual.
Even the FBI must present relevant legal proof; otherwise, the entire process is illegal.
The young investigator’s eyelid twitched; unforeseen elements appeared in the situation. From Lynch’s appearance to now, barely three minutes had passed, and the scene was already spiraling out of control, causing the young investigator some panic.
Another room’s expert immediately contacted the investigator via microphone, "Tell them we’ve captured the scene. Under Bail Federal Ordinance 43, enforcement during a crime scene or criminal activity allows delaying the application for relevant legal documents..."
In the room, the young investigator repeated the words stably, "According to Bail Federal Ordinance 43..."
Before he finished, Lynch asked mockingly, "So you don’t have any evidence to prove Mr. Fox and I are suspected of illegal activities..."
This question implies if there was evidence, they wouldn’t just be chatting here; they’d already be arrested.
The young investigator pursed his lips, paused for about ten seconds before responding, "We’ve been tracking money laundering operations in Sabin City, noticing you, and have relevant legal documents proving our actions are legitimate, and the money is your criminal evidence!"
It seems the investigative bureau doesn’t intend to continue verbal games with Lynch and Mr. Fox. Everyone’s expressions turned somewhat... grim, aware that due to misjudging Lynch and Fox’s relationship, this action might face unexpected setbacks or even fail.
The only hope now lies with this money. If it’s confirmed Lynch transmitted this loose change for money laundering, even if the entire process is legal, they can still indict him.
Sometimes, legal loopholes permit certain actions, not implying those actions are wholly legal. Even if legitimate, procedural deficiencies might render them illegal, like bribery or donations.
The definition rests on procedure, as long as the judge sides with the investigative bureau’s perspective, pinning Fox for laundering through the laundromat, Lynch would be an accomplice—their initial thought.
Mr. Fox’s expression remained unpleasant, "My lawyer still hasn’t arrived..."
Lynch raised his hand, interrupting him, "Let them show us." With Lynch’s brief remark, Mr. Fox ceased demanding his rights, reinforcing the investigative bureau expert’s conviction that Lynch was the real mastermind.
The young investigator observed Lynch for a moment before nodding, "Let’s wait and see!"
Soon, a staff member brought a handheld UV lamp. The investigator grabbed it, ordered curtains drawn and lights off, explaining, "We’ve marked the money; you can’t escape!"
He spoke firmly, having nabbed many using this technique, including bank robbers and money-laundering syndicates, holding high expectations for this operation.
Lynch’s face showed a slight smile, even making a welcoming gesture, "Why not enlighten us then?"
The next moment, the room glowed with a faint purple light!