Chapter 702
The Defense Line Collapses
An ambulance with its lights flashing stopped at the entrance of the apartment building. Several paramedics rushed into the building with a stretcher. The apartment security guards did not stop them and quickly helped open the elevator to let the people upstairs.
He stared at the closing elevator doors and muttered, "This place is full of middle-class people. Who the hell is so rich and powerful that they called an ambulance?"
Ambulances not only save lives, but they also shatter the fragile financial balance of the middle class by exacerbating their healthcare bills.
On the 8th floor of the apartment building, two men dressed in electrical repair uniforms had already opened a door to a room.
Paramedics rushed in with a stretcher, and one of the doctors took out a prepared syringe and gave the sleeping man on the bed an injection.
A few minutes later, the group pushed the patient downstairs.
The woman, who appeared to be a family member, cried and pleaded, "Please take him to the hospital! Please, save him!"
The security guard thought to himself, but the man seemed nice, so he quickly stepped forward to help lift him into the car.
The ambulance, its lights flashing, disappeared into the Washington night.
Ramos removed his mask, patted the cockpit in front of him, and said, "Go straight to the airport. Our people have already made arrangements."
The ambulance, sirens blaring, sped towards an airport in Arlington.
Ramos called Carlos, who was in charge of coordinating the airport, and the plane there had already applied for a flight route and could take off at any time.
Not long after, the ambulance rushed onto the airport's private tarmac and put Dillon, who was still unconscious, onto the plane.
Soon, the business jet belonging to the AI Manhattan Project took to the skies.
Carlos returned to Los Angeles by plane.
Ramos did not return. Instead, he arranged for people to deal with the ambulance and other traces, and led a group of people to Scranton City to meet up with the surveillance personnel who had been there. They easily took control of Adam Smith's family and led them away from the East Coast.
Almost simultaneously, Jack Jones and Dillon's family were also suddenly taken into custody and evacuated from their original residence.
The people from Butterfly Security Company did not cause any physical harm; they merely temporarily restricted their freedom.
…………
Los Angeles, Katrina Island.
A business jet that had flown in from Casablanca landed, and Walid and Dabach's team escorted Jack Jones and Adam Smith into a club near the airport.
Campos led the team directly underground, into the dungeon that the Ackerman family had meticulously built years ago. After some modifications by the Butterfly Company, it had become Hawke's private interrogation room.
Hawke looked at Jack Jones on the other side through the one-way glass curtain wall and said, "Have you found out anything about this guy?"
Campos replied, “It’s been investigated. Jack Jones is from Delaware. When Joseph was a county councilor in Newcastle County, he opened a trading company there. His subsequent development was closely linked to Joseph. You can see Joseph’s influence at every step. After Joseph became a senator, he opened that Delaware Club in Washington.”
Hawke glanced at the photos on the table, picked up a few and flipped through them; they were all photos of Joseph and Jack Jones together.
Some of the photos are quite old, taken many years ago, while others are clearly from recent times. Just from the photos alone, you can tell that the two people have a special relationship.
Campos explained, "Our reporters and paparazzi have been following Joseph for years, and these photos were taken by chance. They only managed to capture this much over the years. They rarely have any direct contact with each other."
Hawke flipped through the photos, then put them back, staring at Jack Jones on the other side of the glass wall, and said, "No matter how much benefit Jack Jones has provided to Joseph over the years, these things in America have always been out in the open, so they don't have much effect."
American politicians are rarely involved in scandals involving corruption or bribery because all the money they receive is done openly.
Hawke continued, “The interrogation focused on two main points: first, the financial dealings between Joseph’s side and Middle Eastern armed groups; and second, the leak of the plan to hunt down Benladden.”
Henderson also has a certain political sense: "The 9/11 attacks are a pain in the hearts of all Americans. Tom Emer planned the assassination as a trump card. If we can get evidence that the leak of the plan is directly related to Joseph, it will have an immeasurable negative impact on Joseph."
Hawke said coldly, "What we need to do is pin the charge of treason on Joseph."
It's an absolute irony that someone who betrayed top national secrets and is suspected of treason would run for president of the United States.
Even if Brian is terrible, riding on a NASA rocket, he can't catch up to Joseph's awfulness.
Henderson laughed: "And then there's Epstein and the Satanic cult. Joseph has been involved in too many shady things."
Hawke knew very well that the top brass of both the Democratic and Republican parties were equally corrupt, but the Republicans had covered it up relatively well, unlike the Democrats, whose corruption was all out in the open.
Campos said, "Jack Jones' family has been taken into custody by our people and is being taken to the West Coast. He has no choice."
Hawke nodded slightly: "Take care of him."
Campos then called Goody along to interrogate Jack Jones.
They even made preparations to have Guti directly target Adam Smith if things didn't go smoothly, as a warning to others.
A little later, another private plane that had taken off from Damakin landed at Katrina Island Airport.
Drogba and Essien escorted Abšek into the club.
Hawke called Henderson to meet Abhishek in the underground meeting room.
Abhishek, his face etched with exhaustion, stood up abruptly upon seeing Hawke and Henderson, and roared angrily, "You!"
Henderson tapped his finger: "Calm down, and watch your tone too."
Abhishek looked down at the cold handcuffs, remembering that he was no longer a guest of honor but a prisoner. He slowly sat down and asked, "What exactly do you want to do?"
Hawke sat down opposite him and said, "That's what I wanted to ask you too: what are you trying to do?"
He questioned, "West Coast Technology's cargo ships have been lingering in the Indian Ocean, waiting for you to pay the final payment so we can dock and complete the transaction. Why did you attack my security company in Africa?"
Abhishek was furious again, but in this situation, he could only vent his anger. He softened his tone, saying, "I've been urging the higher-ups to pay the remaining balance, but the New Delhi authorities refuse to allocate funds, so there's nothing I can do. As for the attack, it was a misunderstanding..."
Henderson sneered, "Nearly a hundred former Black Cat Special Forces members stormed into Hurricane Corporation's most important warehouse and killed so many of our people. Is this a misunderstanding?"
Abhishek put on a mournful face: "I was kidnapped by the Black Cat's men, Damakin. I don't have the final say in this matter..."
"Alright, enough of this," Hawke interrupted him. "The Indian business you led owes us tens of billions of dollars in outstanding payments. Even after taking legal action, the Indian side still hasn't given us an explanation. You bear half the responsibility for this."
Abhishek wanted to defend himself.
Hawke didn't give him a chance, continuing, "The attack in Damajing, in which you led the former Black Cat Special Forces, resulted in the deaths of nearly thirty of our personnel. You must be held responsible, and we must give the families of the victims an explanation." Upon hearing this, Abhishek panicked: "I am an official of the Indian Aeronautical Military Authority and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), a senior member of an Indian government agency. How could you do this…"
Hawke said coldly, "No one will know you died here."
Four armed guards came in from outside and dragged Abhishek out.
Abhishek panicked completely. As a high-ranking official in the Indian government, he had never possessed an iron will when faced with steel spears.
He struggled and cried out, "Don't kill me! Don't kill me! I'm still useful! I'm still useful!"
His bank account held a huge fortune earned through decades of corruption. He not only took kickbacks for himself, but also bought multiple properties in Europe and America. How could he die here?
Abhishek believes he will die in a luxurious mansion, surrounded by beautiful women...
He yelled at Henderson, "I've done so much for you, are you just going to stand by and watch me die?"
Henderson was well aware of his role and said to Hawke at the right time, "Boss, why don't we listen to him first? Maybe he can help us get back those tens of billions of dollars in outstanding payments."
Hawke nodded slightly: "You should have a good talk with him."
Henderson quickly signaled the guards to stop.
Hawke finished his scenes and left immediately.
Henderson and Abhishek were left on this side.
Abhishek was struck on the shoulder by the butt of a guard's rifle while struggling, causing half of his body to ache and go numb, making it impossible for him to sit up.
Henderson poured him a glass of water and said, "I admire your courage for leading troops to attack our security company."
Abhishek took a sip of water. The corrupt official's weak will was now evident. With a mournful face, he said, "If I don't go, I'll be killed."
Henderson chuckled coldly: "Aren't you afraid of being killed by us?" He was very direct: "Hawk is angry, and the consequences will be severe."
Abhishek's only thought now is to save his life: "I don't want to die."
“Don’t say you don’t want to die; first think about what you can do for Hawke,” Henderson said, tapping the table. “Only those who are valuable will live.”
Abhishek quickly asked, "What can I do?"
When Henderson arrived, Hawke had given him some instructions. After a moment's thought, he said, "Your India is a large country with strong financial resources. Hawke has always attached great importance to cooperation with India. You must know where your most critical aerospace and military industry projects are located and how they are progressing. This will be beneficial for our subsequent business negotiations with India."
Abhishek had a bad feeling, but in this situation, what could be more important than saving his life?
Besides, the other party didn't want his money. As long as he can live, things will get better.
He said, "I do know quite a bit about it."
Abhishek mentioned several places, along with the corresponding technological developments, and even the names and preferences of the officers leading the troops stationed in each location.
Someone else might not understand.
Abhishek, however, knew all about it, because the final payment for the satellite acquisition program he was in charge of had already been divided up.
These people are all members of the kickback army, and the money is distributed through Abhishek's side.
While Hawke was out, Henderson had someone turn on the recording and transcribe everything Abhishek said.
Abhishek's throat was dry from talking, so he quickly picked up his cup, drank most of it, and looked at the person opposite him with anticipation: "Is this okay?"
“You’ve done a great job.” Henderson first gave people a glimmer of hope, then squeezed out even more value: “There’s one more thing I need your cooperation on.”
Abhishek had already vomited so much, he had no choice: "Just tell me what you need me to do."
Henderson said with a smile, "The plan for the United States to hunt down Benladen was leaked through India."
Abhishek opened his mouth in surprise: "This..."
Henderson tapped on the table, and someone brought in some documents.
This information was obtained by the FBI after their assassination attempt failed, based on false information released by Hawke in India.
At the time, Tom Emer found an Indian internet company whose resources involved the Chester Foundation in Arlington, which had connections with Joseph's side.
Hawke's misleading statements also fueled rumors of treason and leaks by the Donald Party and Joseph.
However, the rumors have limited reach, and Hawke intends to produce more and stronger evidence to confirm that Joseph leaked the plan to hunt down Benladon and betrayed the United States.
Henderson said slowly, "You will be recording relevant videos as a witness. We have prepared your resume in India and relevant information about your positions in India in advance, which will make your words authentic and persuasive."
This matter concerns the US election and could bring enormous trouble to India. Abhishek hesitated, saying, "I didn't do it, I didn't..."
Henderson interrupted him: "Don't worry, we've already prepared the evidence. All you need to do is appear on camera and cooperate."
He stared at Abhishek's face, waiting for him to make a choice.
Abhishek knew very well that he would not survive if he refused.
There is great terror between life and death, especially since he has amassed so much money over the years and hasn't even spent it all yet.
Abhishek did not hesitate for long before saying, "You must guarantee my safety."
Henderson laughed: "You don't need to face the outside world directly, you just need to record some videos."
Abhishek nodded: "I will cooperate with you."
Once things were settled here, Henderson called in a few people to let Abhishek familiarize himself with the script.
In the other interrogation room, Adam Smith was covered in blood, while Guti, that pervert, looked on with a look of enjoyment.
Under the combined effects of torture and his family, Jack Jones's psychological defenses completely collapsed, and he began to confess how Joseph had arranged surveillance against the Navy SEALs the previous year, and how he had leaked information through armed groups in the Middle East.
He also always believed that the failure of the operation to hunt down Benlad was a result of Joseph's leak, so he naturally placed all the blame on Joseph.
Anyone involved in such an incident would always leave behind some evidence, and Jack Jones was no exception, quickly revealing several places where he had hidden it. (End of Chapter)