Chapter 11: The Truth

To become a full-fledged agent from a trainee, one not only needs the appreciation and recommendation of the team leader, but more importantly, the signature of the team supervisor. Without the supervisor’s approval, even if one joins an investigation team, they can only receive the salary of a trainee agent.

This is a matter of principle.

In August’s view, Roan’s performance today was remarkable.

From twelve noon to seven in the evening, Roan and Mona took just seven hours to apprehend the murderer. Although this didn’t break the record for case-solving speed at the New York branch, it did set a new record for trainee agents.

So, for August, today’s inquiry was hardly an issue. As long as Roan’s account of events was reasonable and without any fundamental errors, August could help him with any minor problems, ensuring Roan’s smooth transition to become a regular member of Team Five.

But he didn’t expect Bryson to suddenly step in.

On the surface, Bryson was targeting Roan, but in reality, it was a challenge to August himself.

August’s stern face darkened further, his eyes fixed intently on Bryson, his tone unwavering:

“Roan is a trainee agent. He has already done everything a trainee should do. Are you suggesting, Bryson, that a trainee agent ought to perform better than you?”

Bryson’s smile didn’t falter as he replied, “No, I’m merely speaking on your behalf. Why are you so upset?”

Tap, tap—

Team supervisor Verinith picked up her pen and tapped it against the table, ignoring the sharp exchange between the two team leaders. She looked up at Roan with an expressionless face and asked again,

“So, you don’t know the motive behind Conrad’s crimes, correct?”

August quickly signaled Roan to simply nod. Once again, Roan had done everything required of a trainee and made no fundamental mistakes; his promotion was practically assured. There was no need for unnecessary words.

The less said, the fewer mistakes—a principle universally applicable.

“No, I do know the motive,” Roan replied, casting August a reassuring glance. He reached out to Mona, who immediately handed him a yellow notebook.

“Please, everyone, take a look. This is the reporter Mike’s notebook, which I obtained from the murderer Conrad. It records the crucial reason why Conrad killed Mike and West.”

Bryson’s smile slowly faded.

Half a year ago, Professor West Watts of New York University lost his wife after three years of battling cancer. One night, she passed away in agony.

Grieving, West sorted through his wife’s belongings and discovered a half-empty bottle of white pills—no label, no name, no brand.

He remembered this medication as the anti-cancer drug his wife had taken daily for nearly a year. But regulations dictate that such pills must display their name and markings. Puzzled, West called the hospital to ask which company produced the drug and what its effects were.

The doctor on the other end knew nothing, finally stating he had never prescribed such a medication to West’s wife and abruptly ended the call.

West was furious. His wife had taken this mysterious white drug for an entire year, and now he was told she’d never been prescribed it? Where had it come from? Was her painful death tied to these pills?

Driven by rage and unanswered questions, West began investigating the origin of the drug.

After much effort, he discovered it came from “Moroway Pharmaceuticals,” one of their experimental anti-cancer drugs. The medication was still in clinical trials, with severe side effects and a high likelihood of fatality.

Unable to advance research quickly with just lab mice, the company’s leadership, eager for rapid progress and a swift public offering, bribed hospital executives to administer the drug to cancer patients, observing their reactions to hasten development.

A blatant human experiment.

Professor West’s wife was among the test subjects.

When he learned the whole truth, Professor West collapsed, unconscious for a day and night. Were it not for a student’s visit, he might have ended up in a coffin.

Upon waking in the hospital, West’s first thought was to expose the company’s vile actions, to lay bare their deeds before the world.

After much inquiry, West found war correspondent Mike and asked him to break the story.

Mike agreed, but without solid evidence, their words alone would not suffice. So the two began gathering proof by their own means.

During this process, Mike’s activity attracted the attention of a senior official at Moroway Pharmaceuticals.

To avoid exposure and secure the company’s public listing, the executive immediately contacted the retired soldier Conrad, offering half a million dollars to make Mike and West vanish from the world…

“Excellent!”

After hearing the truth behind the case, Verinith’s lips curled slightly, she gave Roan a brief word of praise, then stood and addressed August,

“I’m leaving now. The rest is up to you.”

With that, Verinith turned and walked away.

“Goodbye, ma’am,” August laughed heartily, grabbing the pen from the desk and tossing it aside—it landed squarely on Bryson’s head.

Before Bryson could erupt in anger, August quickly said,

“Sorry, I stood up too quickly—my hand slipped!”

Bryson shot August a furious glare and stormed out.

Not until Bryson’s figure had completely exited the trainee agents’ office did August stride to the front, laughing, and appraise Roan from head to toe,

“Well done, kid! You remind me of myself when I was younger—right down to the looks!”

Mona: “...”

Everyone: “...”

Looking at August’s large belly, thick lips, and dark face, Roan was momentarily unsure whether August was complimenting or insulting him.

But that hardly mattered.

“Sir, about the car I damaged during the mission…”

Roan had barely spoken before August waved it off,

“No problem, we’ll deduct it from Team Five’s funds!”

“Thank you, sir!”

“???”

Trainee agent Jody and his teammates’ eyes instantly reddened.

“By the way,” August said, suddenly remembering something as the topic turned to cars. He addressed the man with the Mediterranean hairstyle,

“The case is solved—go arrest the implicated senior officials at Moroway Pharmaceuticals immediately. Don’t let them catch wind and escape the country in advance.”

“Yes, sir.”

The Mediterranean nodded, then pointed to Jody,

“Jody, your team should go make the arrests. Make sure none of the company executives get away!”

Jody’s team: “...”

So all the credit goes to Roan’s group, and we’re left with the grunt work?!