On the third day, Officer Dunham and Officer Shrine held a press release. They relayed the findings of the incident to the media. Officer Dunham was the one to take the lead, as he said, "During the investigation done for the past two days, we have discovered that the people found hanging on the poles were indeed running a trafficking racket. We raided a few places in the city and rescued the children and the women being kept there."

As soon as the confirmation was out one of the media reporters stood up and asked, "Officers, now that it has been confirmed that those people were traffickers can you tell us who did that thing to them? Could it be a rival gang?"

Mark Shrine shook his head and said, "We have not found any traces of a rival gang. Given the situation those people were found in, we have determined that it was a hate crime, and someone who hates criminals could be one of their victims. We think that the killers were trying to deliver a message towards the criminal community.

However, we would like to request you all, please don't try to take things in your own hands, the law enforcing departments are working day and night to help you, cooperate with them."

At this moment one of the reporters raised his hand and Officer Dunham nodded to the person, who asked, "Sir, I am a reporter from the Bugle Times, I want to ask you if you have looked into the CEO of the Advance Media Company?"

The question was akin to a dropping a boulder in a still pond. The people all turned to look at the man, who ignored them and looked directly at Officer Dunham, who replied, "We did look into CEO Shimal, he is clean."

The reporter smiled and shook his head before he turned to the side and decided to walk out of the room. Mark Shrine raised his brow and said, "Excuse me, can you tell me why did you look so disappointed just now?"

The reporter stopped at the gate of the room, and said, "You really think that someone who knew that his brother was drowning in the grime of crime, would be unaware of the real situation? He deliberately kept such sensitive thing hidden from everyone, he is an accomplice in this racket."

Mark Shrine shrugged and replied, "The law cannot work without evidence."

The reporter chuckled and said, "Fine, I will give you the evidence. Enough for you to drag him through the streets naked. Tell me, what is your official email. I dare you to step up and play the guardian of justice that you portray to be."

Mark looked at his partner and said, "Danny, do you think this man could be one of the killers?"

Officer Dunham shook his head and said, "Take him in, and then ask him carefully, what does he know about the CEO."

Mark nodded and quickly came to the reporter and whispered something to him before they both exchanged a nod and then went inside the precinct. The press conference came to an halt, and Danny had to tell the people to wait if they want to because due to some new clues, this investigation would be lasting longer.

…

Inside the interrogation room, the reporter showed Mark and Danny a lot of documents and video clips that were enough to catch CEO Shimal. The big shock for the two of them was that even Jinn Haso was involved in this network.

Danny Dunham made a few deep investigations on the system and applied to the higher ups to give him access to a few sealed files, and he found out that Jinn Haso was once accused of links with a drug cartel in the Southern Provinces, but later he helped the cops catch the criminals and stated that it was his undercover action.

This thing not only saved his job, but gave him wings. Jinn Haso climbed ranks of the civil service system. He was now the mayor of the Angkor City from past six years, and during this time although the crime has reduced, but the white collar crime was climbing the pedestal as well.

This racket was initially planned by Jinn Haso as well. Thinking about this Mark even took out his gun and wanted to rush out of the room, and kill Jinn, but Danny Dunham asked, "How do you know all this?"

The reporter smiled and pulled his right sleeve, and revealed a small tattoo. He said, "I am a member of the Aries Family. These things were found by us, and Master Harley wanted to lend you all a hand."

Mark Shrine asked, "Why so?"

The man smiled and replied, "It is because we don't wish you to stay here too longer."

Danny Dunham asked, "What does that mean?"

The reporter replied calmly before looking towards Mark Shrine, "Detective Shrine is not rather well received by the people of the nation because of what happened to Young Miss Cardinal. I apologize, but such is the pull of people who support Master Cardinal, and it is affecting the business of the Sigil Families."

Mark scoffed and said, "Such hypocrisy, and are you telling me that they are doing all this because of me?"

The reporter nodded and said, "Do you even know how many people have been helped by the Cardinal Family? The lives that Young Miss touched at such a young age is nothing to be laughed off at. You should research again."

The discussion lasted for several hours, and everything that the reporter said was backed with tones of evidence, and even some recordings, and that was it. Danny and Mark nodded to each other and they moved out. They called the higher-ups and soon they led two different teams of cops to arrest Jinn Haso, and also CEO Shimal.

The reporter sent out a message to his colleagues, and told them to go around specific location and monitor how things unfold and capture it all.

…

Jinn Haso was in his bedroom, and he was putting his belongings in a bag, when he suddenly heard someone knocking on his doors. His face tightened, and he sped up to stuff the wads of cash in his bag and when he was thinking of running through the back door, a loud crash was heard throughout the house.

Jinn Haso was shocked, as he heard the sound, "Angkor Police, come out or we will fire!"

The people of the assault team warned him thrice, before Jinn Haso finally gave up the idea of struggle and extended his hands out of the door pane and slowly surrendered. Mark Shrine looked at Danny Dunham as he said, "To think that officials of the city were so deep into corruption. Quite astounding when the nation has such strict rules."

Danny Dunham shook his head and replied, "Every pond has a bad fish. Come, let us process him and grab some headlines, your wife loves that."

Mark Shrine chuckled and said, "Then I will take point on the interrogation."

Danny Dunham shrugged and they quickly took Jinn Haso to the precinct where they were working from, meanwhile, the media broke the news. The city was shocked to find that the benevolent mayor was corrupt and has been taking a few kickbacks from a few rising groups.

All these groups were now also on radar, the evidence was rock solid and Jinn Haso would not escape punishment. Not only him but even the people who worked closely with him, all were apprehended.

As if this was not enough, there were reports that the CEO of the Advance Media company was also arrested after a raid on his house. CEO Shimal was accused of bribery and aiding and abetting criminal activities. While there was no clue in sight regarding the people who killed the traffickers, the society was not bothered by it at all, instead, the fact that someone from a position of power were causing such commotion.

The public opinion was quickly drove into a tide against the people. Leo was the one driving the currents with his Live Streaming Platform and a few independent public speakers.

…

Jinn Haso was brought to the court of justice just a couple of days later, and the verdict came through rather quickly. The people of the city even celebrated the event as a moral victory.

However, while many people were celebrating, some people were obviously not happy. Matilda Bishop was sitting in the living room of her Penthouse, and gazed at the cityscape with a furrowed brow. It has been three days since the bodies were found. She was at a loss as to how things turned over, and was thinking about this matter when her assistant came over, "Ma'am, Mister Cardinal of the Cardinal Group called to confirm an appointment with you. What shall I do?"

As soon as Matilda heard this name, her gaze turned cold and her aura shocked the assistant, before Matilda calmed down and said, "Give them the time to come over at lunch tomorrow."

The assistant rushed away, when Matilda mumbled, "What the fuck are you thinking about now, boy."

For her, Leo was a young boy, but she hated him a lot. As she thought about Leo, her hand couldn't help but trace her jaw. That slap still gave her fright and fueled her rage.

...

Leo was sitting in his office with his legs crossed, after the whole week of subtle tension in the city, the people rejoiced the feeling of working. It gave them the sense of distraction. June came over and said, "Sir, Miss Luger has agreed to see us at lunch tomorrow."

Leo nodded and replied, "Thank you, June."

June nodded and respectfully walked out of the office, leaving Leo to handle her own work.