Chapter 682: The Choice

“They are both my younger brothers, Rowan and Ao Xin. Rowan is a bit more timid and usually not as impulsive as Ao Xin, but he lunged forward to shield Ao Xin’s body at the time, so he ended up taking more bullets.”

Because Wayne had saved the youngest child in their family, and his visit clearly held no malice, Wayne was received as a guest, despite a young lady expressing her dislike for outsiders.

Sitting with Wayne on the terrace, speaking to him, was the eldest son of their generation in the family, and also the gang leader most likely to have the information Wayne sought.

Many houses in the Dock Area didn’t have the luxury of ‘balconies’; any space that could be enclosed and used as a room usually was.

This terrace was made from beams extending out from the house; by tying a few planks and stringing a rope above, people could climb out the window to dry clothes—though there wasn’t really a window, just a square opening in the wall that could be blocked with a wooden board to keep out the wind.

To be fair, they had gotten into trouble by attacking another gang outside the community last night, essentially being ambushed in return.

If emotions were set aside, according to the law or the Detective Agency’s assessment, even if they hadn't died young, they would at least be considered to have deserved their fate.

However, rationality aside, Wayne could let gangs fight among themselves, but he held no personal grudge against them.

Listening to what this man named Ryan was saying, with occasional sobs and comforting sounds coming from inside the room, although the Detective Agency’s established policy wouldn't change, one couldn't help but feel a little regretful.

Ryan spoke for a while, then fumbled for a cigarette pack and matches: “This was left by Ao Xin. I don’t usually smoke this stuff, Mr. Wayne, would you like one?”

Wayne usually couldn’t even be bothered to touch the cigars in his cabinet, but this time he reached out and took one.

He put it in his mouth, lit a match, then went through the motions, watching the other person cough repeatedly from the choke.

Feeling that enough small talk had been made, Wayne began to subtly inquire: “There was an incident at your gang’s dock a while ago, and some of the bodies were found by us today. Do you know about that?”

“I heard about it afterwards, but I wasn’t there at the time.” This guy clearly knew more about Wayne than the rest of his family, so it sounded like he also knew more clearly what Wayne wanted to ask.

Wayne tried to blow a smoke ring, but failed. He continued to press: “Then do you know of any other similar incidents?”

Ryan Aubern couldn't help but choose his words carefully: “I cannot betray the gang. What specific matters do you wish to know about?”

“Don’t worry. I don’t need to ask you about smuggling or tax investigations; we have several future lawyers or accountants following up on that. We also don’t interfere in disputes between your gangs; we only protect the innocent—what I want to ask is, have you helped strange outsiders to smuggle in? Ordinary illegal immigrants don’t count.”

“Strange outsiders?”

“For example, on the night of the last dock incident, so many people suddenly died, and some of the bodies were deliberately handled. Don’t you find that strange? Any similar situations count.”

Ryan Aubern paused slightly after hearing this: “Situations where people die are actually not common… Mr. O'Sullivan sometimes does give instructions that need to be kept secret, but I’m afraid I don't know the information you’re looking for. That’s usually handled by the gang’s strategist; I’m just a small leader.”

Those messages were initially obtained by Willie from the prosecutor, and now that Inessa has brought them up, the Cathedral has probably already sent people to investigate.

Involving high-level wild Extraordinary Persons, it’s hard to say if they will even have a chance to be released again recently.

It’s a bit of dark humor when you think about it: O'Sullivan didn’t get taken down for attacking Wayne and the Cathedral Monks, and the tax collection hadn’t yielded results yet, but he might instead stumble early because of this kind of thing.

The life of a gang boss is truly full of surprises.

The Detective Agency could only take the lower-level route now. Wayne asked about which of the gang strategist’s subordinates hadn't followed them back to the Police Station at the time.

This guy hesitated for a while, but finally gave two names of people who should still be alive, though they might not be home right now—they might have secretly gone out to fight violence with violence again.

Feeling that he couldn't get any more information, Wayne got up to leave, intending to try his luck at the next place.

Before leaving, he suddenly had an idea and turned back to ask: “If you could have foreseen today’s situation and been given a chance to choose again, would you still join the gang?”

Ryan Aubern had probably thought about this question long ago; he answered without hesitation: “We actually had no choice. If we didn’t join a gang, other gangs wouldn’t treat us well. After joining, at least there’s a chance to deal with them.”

“That’s because our Detective Agency wasn’t here before.”

Wayne turned back around, raised his hand, and pointed in a direction, “I plan to set up a cannery over there recently, specifically for producing luncheon meat and such, and perhaps expand into new product lines.

“But before that, I hope the gangs in the Dock Area can become more civilized. There might still be competition among everyone, but illegal means must be prohibited.

“If you’re interested, you can consider coming to work for me in the future. I won’t arrange for you to attack anyone in the middle of the night, and if someone is bullied, I will also strive to bring the culprits to justice.”

Ryan Aubern was slightly stunned after hearing this: “I didn’t expect you to be an idealist. No wonder our gang’s strategist said he couldn’t understand the purpose of some of your actions.”

Wayne ignored his sentiment and pulled the conversation back: “So, are you interested?”

Ryan Aubern tilted his head slightly, his gaze seemingly passing through the wall into the living room:

“I still have things I need to do, so I probably won’t have the opportunity. However, if possible, I do hope Owen can get a proper job—he’s getting naughtier and naughtier now; last time, it was because he snuck out in the middle of the night that he almost got into trouble. Speaking of which, I haven’t thanked Mr. Wayne for your help.”

Tsk, it seems this offer wasn’t attractive enough. He’d have to go back and think about how to refine his pitch, and try it on someone else next time.

Wayne had lost interest in Ryan Aubern by now, waved his hand, and prepared to leave, “That’s something we wanted to do ourselves, no need for thanks. Your cooperation is enough.”

After a moment of thought, Wayne turned back again: “I feel you’re quite easy to communicate with, so I’ll give you one more reminder. Our Detective Agency doesn’t intend to intervene in gang disputes, but we do not allow harm to innocents. Whatever you plan to do, please do not cross the line, or you might die at the hands of my people.”

If that were the case, the storyline would be a bit too complicated for little Owen, whom he had saved earlier.

If he were thick-skinned, it would be easy; he would single-mindedly go to the Detective Agency for revenge, then he could be sent to the station to reflect.

But if he were sensitive and kind-hearted, with his savior on one side and his brother’s killer on the other, he might develop inner demons.

That wouldn't be healthy.

Ryan Aubern seemed not to have expected Wayne to be so blunt in the end; he slowly lowered his head and nodded, though it was unclear if he had truly taken it in.