This reason sounded grand, but as the deceived party, Luke still felt disgruntled.
The FBI, as the manipulators behind the scenes, controlled everything, while the police were like pawns, used without even knowing it.
Alfie Imma sighed, "Captain Lee, please believe me, we would not have resorted to this method if it were not absolutely necessary."
Luke said, "You have your reasons, but that doesn't mean you can treat others like fools."
"I most definitely didn't think that way, I swear."
"Now that things have come to this point, what do you plan to do for closure?"
"I hope the Los Angeles police can hand over Ramon Borego to the FBI. We will convict him, and afterward, release news to make the two gangs enemies of each other.
There's always been a conflict of interests between the Bossita Gang and the Gonsede Gang.
I believe this incident will escalate their conflict and spark a shootout.
That way, the entire plan will be complete."
Little Black said, "You have quite the rosy picture in mind.
Afte using the Robbery and Murder Department and tossing us aside, all the credit and benefits go to you. What about all our hard investigative work these past few days?
Our captain was even ambushed by a gunman from the Gonsede Gang, how do we settle that account?"
"Sorry, I hadn't considered that thoroughly.
We at the FBI are willing to offer some compensation to make up for your losses."
"What kind of compensation?"
Alfie Imma thought for a moment, "We can compensate you with a sum of funds, a part of which can be given as a reward to your Robbery and Murder Department. As for how to allocate it, Captain Lee can decide."
Luke said, "I'm not short of money.
This isn't something that can be resolved with just money."
Alfie Imma added, "We'll still have opportunities to cooperate in the future. Consider that I owe you a favor.
If there's ever anything you need from me, you can call me anytime.
As long as it doesn't violate any regulations, I can help you."
"OK, I'll report to the detectives' higher-ups to confirm whether this is an operation planned by the FBI, or if you have other ulterior motives."
"I swear, this is absolutely an FBI operation, not my personal agenda.
We didn't tell the police precisely because we were concerned that information would leak out in their reports."
"At this point, you're still complaining about the police?
Blame yourselves, you're the ones who complicated things." Luke did not fully believe her. If she could deceive the police once, she could do it a second time. Even if this were an FBI operation, Luke did not trust the FBI.
The best course of action was for the higher-ups of the police to contact those of the FBI. That way, Luke wouldn't have to take responsibility, and he could maximize benefits and rightfully receive compensation.
If they didn't communicate with the higher-ups of the Los Angeles police and the FBI reneged on the agreement later, Luke would have nowhere to plead his case.
Luke contacted Chief Reid and told him everything.
Reid didn't make a stand immediately and asked Luke to wait for a call.
Forty minutes later, Reid called, saying, "Luke, I've contacted the higher-ups at the FBI. The operation was indeed planned by them, and those bastards even gave it a codename 'Desert Operation.'
The higher-ups at the FBI apologized for hiding the operation from the police and were willing to make certain compensations.
However, they still hope that the police will cooperate with them to complete the plan."
Luke asked, "How can we cooperate?"
"Hand over the case and relevant personnel to them for processing, and the police withdraw from this operation."
"What kind of compensation?"
"Compensate the Detective Bureau one hundred thousand US Dollars, with fifty thousand US Dollars as a reward for the Robbery and Murder Department, which you will be responsible for distributing."
"Is this to silence us with money?"
Being treated like a pawn by the FBI really did not sit well with Luke, but the plan against the two gangs was nearing completion, and sabotaging the plan would do Luke no good.
All Luke could do now was argue for more compensation for himself and his team members.
"I think the FBI's sincerity is lacking. The fund and reward compensation should at least be doubled."
Reid laughed, "Wait for my call."
Alfie Imma shrugged, "This is the first time I've seen someone extort the FBI."
Luke corrected, "This isn't extortion; it's resolving the conflict between two departments.
With proper compensation, the conflict is eliminated, and we are still brother forces fighting side by side.
You can't be stingy with brothers."
Alfie Imma lifted her handcuffed wrists, "Is this how you treat your brothers?"
Little Black laughed, "My mom always says, 'Only brothers with money are true brothers.'"
Alfie Imma expressed envy, "I'm really envious you have a mom who sees through the essence of things."
Twenty minutes later, Reid called again. The FBI agreed to Luke's compensation conditions and also hoped that Luke would immediately release Alfie Imma.
Luke unlocked Alfie Imma's handcuffs and shook hands, "Agent Imma, it's been a pleasure working with you."
Alfie Imma rubbed her wrists, "How did you come to suspect the FBI?"
When Luke was taking a statement from Ramon Borego, he noticed signs of lying and suspected that the real mastermind might not be the Bossita Gang. Afterward, Luke continued to probe, but Ramon Borego clammed up and wouldn't budge.
Luke threatened him, saying that if he didn't cooperate, he would be handed over to the FBI.
If it were an ordinary suspect, hearing the FBI's name would cause them to be nervous, panicky, or even terrified, but Luke saw from Ramon Borego's micro-expressions that he was not only unruffled but seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.
That's when Luke began to suspect the FBI.