Chapter 50: To Win People Over, One Must Do So with Virtue; To Be a Police Officer, One Must Rely on Evidence

“He’s starting to panic…”

Someone hidden from view was watching the situation in the room. From the moment Lynch entered, Mr. Fox’s eyes showed clear signs of panic — their plan was working.

Most criminals, when caught alone, don’t panic much. They can choose what to say, minimize their guilt, or shift blame to others to lighten their charges.

But if two or more accomplices are caught together, an uncontrollable panic spreads. They worry whether others have confessed, what they said, and if their own stories align.

In such cases, two outcomes arise: one, complete silence—rarely seen, maybe once in several years; two, full confession with nothing to hide.

The Financial Crime Investigation Unit is just an office, but as part of the FBI dealing daily with all kinds of criminals, they know how to pressure suspects and get what they want.

As soon as Lynch entered, he saw Mr. Fox trying to stand but staying seated. The situation was delicate. After giving Fox a reassuring look, Lynch calmly sat on the sofa.

Lynch’s calmness eased Fox’s nerves. Some thoughts that hadn’t occurred before began to surface—like Lynch’s warning not to take small change from others.

Perhaps Lynch had planned this all along. With that thought, Fox’s tense expression softened and his body relaxed.

An expert in the room frowned, noticing Fox’s change. Though puzzled why Lynch’s arrival didn’t increase Fox’s pressure but eased it instead, he knew it was not a good sign.

He immediately ordered the team to proceed without waiting for the lawyer. Meanwhile, a reluctant hypothesis formed in his mind: the real mastermind of this case wasn’t Fox, the sly old fox, but the seemingly ordinary young man.

From this, he feared things would go badly—mistaking the primary target, using wrong strategies, and inevitably, failure.

It was like torturing a soldier wouldn’t shake a dynasty; get the focus wrong, and you can’t capture the key figure.

A team member hesitated, cleared his throat, glanced at Lynch, and said, “Mr. Lynch just arrived, so he might not know why we invited several people here…”

Before he finished, Fox interrupted, “We refuse to answer any questions before the lawyer arrives!”

Some initially relaxed agents snorted. One rudely pointed at Fox, “You can shut up; I’m not talking to you!” He then looked at Lynch, “We received a tip accusing you of laundering money through a laundromat. Do you admit it?”

This question seemed childish—how would a real criminal admit to their crime?

The agent likely targeted Lynch’s youth to bluff, figuring there was no loss in trying. But with multiple recording devices and cameras present, even a sarcastic or joking nod could be used as evidence.

Evidence depends on objective facts. Regardless of Lynch’s inner thoughts, any admission or admitting gesture would be seen by the court as confession.

This tactic often works on young people, whose impulse to challenge authority can trip them up if unchecked.

The agent expected Lynch to react quickly. Instead, Lynch frowned, then looked confused, as if thinking, “What nonsense?”

Of course, Lynch was educated and would not be rude. After a few seconds, he played along, “Where’s the evidence?” He leaned back into the sofa, spreading his hands slightly. “Though I don’t have a lawyer, I know charges require evidence, including summons and interrogation…” He glanced at Fox, and they locked eyes briefly before Fox stood.

Lynch nodded slightly, tilting his head as if watching a show.

“If not for your reminder, Mr. Lynch, I almost forgot—you’re holding me here illegally. Do you have a summons or arrest warrant?” Fox immediately protested.

Judicial procedure requires the proper documents for questioning or arrest, even for the FBI. Without them, the process is illegal.

The young agent twitched; the situation was spiraling unexpectedly. Less than three minutes since Lynch’s arrival, the scene was slipping out of control, making the agent uneasy.

Another expert contacted the agent via microphone: “Tell them, we caught them on-site. Under Baylor Federal Law No. 43, law enforcement at the scene during the crime can delay legal paperwork…”

The young agent calmly repeated, “According to Baylor Federal Law No. 43…”

No sooner had he finished than Lynch smirked, “So you have no evidence proving Mr. Fox and I committed crimes…”

If there was evidence, they wouldn’t be chatting here; they’d be arrested already.

The agent pursed his lips, paused over ten seconds, then replied, “We’ve been tracking money laundering in Sabin City and noticed you. We do have legal paperwork to prove our actions are lawful. That money is your crime evidence!”

It was clear the investigators didn’t want to continue wordplay with Lynch and Fox. Everyone’s expression turned sour, knowing the mistaken relationship between Fox and Lynch could cause unexpected setbacks or failure.

Their only hope was the money—if it could be confirmed Lynch was passing small change to Fox for laundering, even a lawful process would convict them.

Sometimes legality of actions doesn’t guarantee legality of results; procedural details matter, like with bribery and donations.

The judgment depends on procedure; if the judge accepts the investigators’ view, nailing Fox for laundering means Lynch, who supplied the funds, is an accomplice—just as they originally thought.

Fox’s face remained grim. “My lawyer isn’t here yet…”

Lynch raised his hand to interrupt, “Let them show it.” With that, Fox no longer demanded his rights, further convincing the expert that Lynch was the mastermind.

The young agent studied Lynch for a moment, then nodded, “Let’s wait and see.”

Soon, a staff member brought a handheld ultraviolet light. The agent took it, ordered the curtains drawn, the lights off, and explained, “We marked this money. You can’t escape!”

His tone was firm. They had used such methods to catch many before—bank robbers, money launderers—and had high hopes for this operation.

Lynch smiled slightly and gestured invitingly, “So why not show us then?”

At that moment, the room glowed with a soft purple light!