## Chapter 50: Dialogue in the Holding Cell
The new police chief, Braden Jones, rushed into the district police station.
As soon as he stepped through the door, he bumped into a young police officer holding a file.
“Chief Jones, what brings you here? The district work meeting isn’t until tomorrow, did you get the date wrong?”
Jones stopped and forced a smile. “No. I’m in charge of the holding cells at the station, and they’re almost full. I’m planning to clear out some of the suspects and transfer them to the magistrate’s court.
I happened to be passing by the district police station today, so I thought I’d ask if you have any suspects. If you do, I might as well take them with me.”
The young officer smiled. “Chief Jones, you’re so thoughtful. To be honest, we just arrested someone this morning, he’s inside right now.”
“Alright, get his indictment materials ready and give them to me.”
“No problem, his case is pretty straightforward. You can wait here, I’ll draft his case report right now.”
“Okay, go ahead. I’ll go to the back and put him in cuffs, I’ll take him away directly when you’re done.”
As Jones said this, he was about to step towards the holding cell, but suddenly remembered something.
He quickly stopped the young officer who was about to draft the document. “By the way, Anthony, is Inspector Hastings at the station today?”
“Inspector? If you’re looking for him, you might be too late. The Inspector just left with Tom and Tony not long ago. He specifically told us he might not be back until the afternoon.”
Jones asked, “Where did he go?”
“I’m not sure. Oh, right, they also had a kid with them, about eight or nine years old. It seems Tom just adopted him. Maybe they’re going to handle the adoption procedures?”
“Adoption procedures need three people?”
“That’s true, I don’t know. Maybe they went to gather information about Fred? Recently, the Inspector has been giving Tom and Tony classes, saying he wants them to become detectives and focus on solving cases and investigations.
Speaking of which, Chief Jones, have you found any clues about Fred in your patrol area recently? The Inspector might ask this question at tomorrow’s work meeting. You should prepare beforehand.”
Hearing this, Jones just stroked his chin and said helplessly, “Fred isn’t that easy to find. Those pickpockets said that the old man hasn’t shown up for two or three years. Who knows where he went? He might be dead for all we know.
Those gangs who are currently using “Fred” as their banner to commit crimes might be like those workers who are rebelling under the banner of “General Ludd”. Maybe they just want to use Fred’s name to scare their competitors.”
“Nobody knows for sure what’s going on. But you have to give the Inspector an explanation. Even if there’s no progress on Fred’s case, you need to come up with something decent, otherwise it won’t be easy to explain.”
“Thanks for reminding me.” Jones took a candy from his pocket and threw it over. “You’ve worked hard today. I’m going to the holding cell to find the suspect.”
The young officer took the candy and smiled. “Wait two minutes, Chief. The indictment document will be ready soon.”
Jones nodded and then walked towards the holding cell.
The door to the holding cell opened, revealing eight small compartments separated by iron bars. The furnishings in each compartment were simple.
A wooden bucket for excrement, a wooden board fixed to the wall with two iron chains, which could be used as a seat when the thin blanket was removed, and a bed when the blanket was put back on.
At this moment, there was only one suspect detained here, saving Jones the trouble of searching.
He first glanced behind him, confirming that no one was following before slowly closing the door. Then he walked leisurely to the suspect, arms crossed.
“Fred, didn’t I tell you? 7:30 in the morning, at Carlson’s store at 85 Thames Avenue.
At that time, my patrol officers should be patrolling there. They will arrest you, and then I will go through the quick trial procedure at the magistrate’s court.
Two days later, you will be happily in the Old Bailey. What the hell were you thinking? You actually let yourself be caught and brought to the district police station?”
The suspect was squatting on the ground, boredly drawing circles with the dry grass. He didn’t look up at Jones, just snorted.
“Damn it, how was I supposed to know that the passing patrolman wasn’t one of your scumbags? Look at the stupid idea you came up with. Just to get a charge of disturbing the peace, my ass was seen by everyone, how are you going to compensate for my loss?”
Jones’ voice was filled with anger. “Didn’t I teach you how to identify patrol officers? Look at their shoulder badge numbers, only those with RG2 numbers at the beginning are my people.
You idiot, you know Inspector Hastings is looking for you all over the world? What are you doing? You actually sent yourself to his jail.”
Fred laughed loudly. “It can’t be helped, the world is sometimes just so humorous. He probably never thought that the Fred he wanted to catch was actually locked up by him.”
Jones said angrily, “You still have the nerve to laugh? Luckily we changed your identity half a year ago, otherwise you would have been exposed! Do you know what will happen if things are exposed? You will be hanged!”
Fred looked up, raising his eyebrows. “You want to scare me? A young man who just took over from Willox, you dare talk to me like that? You should ask him properly, what kind of food did I eat in the army?
If I hadn’t committed a crime back then, I wouldn’t have been forced to retire so early. If I hadn’t retired, maybe I would have been working at the Metropolitan Police by now. Willox can be a chief, what should I be? An inspector?”
Jones sneered. “Willox? He’s dead, where am I supposed to ask him?”
“Of course, I know he’s dead.”
Fred stood up, grabbed the iron bars with both hands and pulled them outward. There was a screeching sound of iron, and his head stuck out.
His head was against Jones’ forehead, his wide eyes seemed to be able to swallow Jones whole. “I’m not God, so I can’t call Willox up for you to question. But I can send you down.”
Jones was sweating profusely, his peripheral vision caught the bent bars of the holding cell, and his Adam’s apple bobbed.
Just as the two were in a stalemate, the young officer’s voice came from outside the holding cell door.
“Chief Jones, haven’t you taken him out yet? I’m done with the indictment document.”
Jones took a step back and patted Fred on the shoulder. “Behave yourself after you go in, it’s also a good way to avoid Inspector Hastings’ attention. This is good for you and for us.”
Fred raised his lips and sneered, extending his hands.
“Come on, cuff me.”
(End of Chapter)