Chapter 673: Offense and Defense

“At least nineteen cases occurred overnight. There are currently eleven shops, warehouses, and residences that were clearly set on fire or vandalized. The known casualties alone exceed 70 people, not including those who fled.”

After dawn, even Lina, who had initially adopted a “make it bigger, I want to see rivers of blood” attitude, was a bit weary. “I originally thought Wayne, you were being a bit overly cautious, but I didn’t expect that with so many people we arranged, we still had to run back and forth all night…”

On the third floor of the temporary base, the Detective Agency partners were holding a meeting with Doug, Connal, "Slingshot," and several other Agent core members.

The Rabbit Gang boss and Sheriff William, who had stayed to watch the show all night, were now sleeping in their clothes in a room on the second floor. Some Agents were also taking turns resting in other rooms.

The Rabbit Gang subordinates were helping to guard the captives on the first floor. As for the police officers who had stayed behind, two had already gone to the Police Station to report the situation, and it was unknown what results they would bring back.

Wayne glanced at Lina and couldn't help but tease, “If I had to make a comparison, last night might have just been the ‘appetizer.’ The real ‘main course’ hasn’t even been served yet.”

The current statistics also prove this point.

Of all the incidents that occurred last night, the Ireland Violent Group’s proactive attacks accounted for almost half. They attacked some gang strongholds or business premises in batches, and several gang leaders also became targeted individuals.

As for the rest, they were caused by other gangs. Although they accounted for a higher proportion of incidents in total, most of the gangs did not send out too many people; it was simply a case of “many hands make light work.”

Some of them specifically targeted the Ireland Violent Group’s businesses or members, while others caused trouble with innocent Irish people in bars and other places. The firepower was dispersed, and the intensity of the actions varied. Some even amounted to just picking fights, not even using cold weapons.

It was as if the Ireland Violent Group had mobilized and entered a state of war, while other gangs, despite appearing formidable, had few who truly intended to stab someone to death. After a chaotic biting spree, with premeditation against unpreparedness, some gangs actually suffered losses. Upon returning, they might find that even their gang leaders were gone.

In particular, some of their attacks in the community last night caused the Irish residents there to collectively explode. Men and women alike took brooms to the streets, almost always hitting first upon seeing unfamiliar faces. If the Detective Agency members hadn't been marked with conspicuous Red Armbands, they might have also been collectively beaten by the Irish—a few Rabbit Gang members who were helping were indeed accidentally injured, at least last night they were quite innocent.

However, if one disregards the power of the community residents and only considers the paper strength of the gangs, the Ireland Violent Group's total manpower is less than thirty percent of all the other active gangs combined.

Some gangs had already seen blood last night, and when they retaliate again, it is estimated that they will no longer be “playing around.” The Ireland Violent Group might be able to hide in the community and not come out, but that would probably become a situation Wayne doesn't want to see—some gangs might view all Irish people as “accomplices,” and it might turn into “hitting anyone is the same.”

Inessa was currently concerned about the disposition of the existing captives.

She thought for a moment and asked, “Based on my understanding of America law, illegal immigrants are not considered city residents, and might not even be considered ‘freemen.’ Will the police simply ignore public order incidents that occur among them?”

Wayne estimated, “This time, probably not. Many cases are ignored because they are troublesome to investigate, and the victims are not legal residents. But the captives we caught this time are caught in the act, the facts are clear, and there are three parties of witnesses. It’s a performance delivered to their doorstep. Even if it’s just for personal honor, the police and prosecutors probably won’t miss it.”

After he finished speaking, he pondered for a moment and added, “To be on the safe side, I can also talk to someone later, and Willie can also work on the prosecutors. Let’s try our best to ensure they all face punishment.”

Most of the captives currently caught by the Detective Agency primarily came from the “main force” that Inessa oversaw last night.

Her logical judgment in this regard is easy to understand: the party that actively caused trouble and injured people should, in principle, be punished, unless there is a direct old enmity between the two sides, in which case reductions can be considered depending on the situation. Even if the law does not allow it, she would not believe the other party needed to be hunted.

It was probably the kind of “blood feud can be avenged, but the calamity does not extend to others.”

Very orderly, very hunter-like, and actually quite martial.

However, the small team led by Wayne and Lina personally did not capture many prisoners.

Except for capturing people at two scenes where there was clear “harm to the innocent,” Wayne mostly just observed at other scenes.

Oh, you two gangs are fighting each other?

Excuse me, I interrupted.

Please continue.

—He was this style, and Lina's side was probably similar.

However, being a good person is not without its rewards. After Wayne took a young Irish boy home last night, the Red Armbands on his arm gained recognition in a small area. Several nearby families quickly became indignant and went out with their tools to beat up the bad guys.

Fortunately, Wayne had been cautious beforehand. He hadn't brought the captives with him, otherwise, he would probably have had to call for people to carry them out, or if it were worse, he might even have had to “pick them up.”

Later, when other Irish residents also surrounded Wayne and his group as outsiders, through word of mouth, the Red Armbands’ passage in the community gradually became unobstructed. Wayne and his group were even actively given way.

Wayne tried to summarize, “Looking on the bright side, last night’s cases were spread across many gang territories in the Dock Area. If they retaliate later, the incidents might concentrate in the Irish-populated community, at least the scope will slowly shrink. The Ireland Violent Group will certainly continue to retaliate, but I believe the overall trend will gradually contract.”

“But for us, the critical part is just beginning. The intensity of subsequent cases is likely to continuously increase. While the community residents can temporarily accept our presence, we must guide them in time. When they believe that someone can harm them at will without paying any price, they might take matters into their own hands. We cannot let them be incited by the Ireland Violent Group members.”

Last night, the Ireland Violent Group was on the offensive. Regardless of whether they gained or lost, they were losing people from their own gang.

However, when they are on the defensive, they might try to mobilize the entire community's residents.

What the Detective Agency needs to do is tell the community residents that “the Dock Area is not beyond the law,” and that the “Red Armbands” are a force that maintains order.

As for the conflicts between gangs, let them handle their “gang affairs” themselves, and no one should involve outsiders.