Chapter 3: Stop Pretending

Three individuals passed through the casino hall in succession, entered the internal passageway, and arrived at a black iron door.

The lobby manager lifted a cover on the iron door's handle and keyed in a code; the next second, the door clicked open.

But the scene that appeared left Nisen and David dumbstruck.

Before them, they saw a vast amount of US Dollars piled neatly on tables and shelves everywhere.

Although David and Nisen did not know the exact figure, it was presumably in the tens of millions.

The casino really lived up to its reputation as a gold mine!

"Anthony, come here!"

Hearing the lobby manager's call, a somewhat short-statured man halted his counting task and turned to look towards the door.

At the sight of Nisen and David, a flicker of caution crossed his eyes.

From the two men's posture and demeanor, he had deduced that they were definitely affiliated with law enforcement.

Could it be… the FBI?

[Name: Anthony Taylor.]

[Occupation: Encar Casino vault staff.]

[Monthly Income: 10,000 US Dollars.]

[Monthly Grey Income: 300,000 US Dollars.]

[Details of Grey Income: On December 26, in collusion with Paul Wolf, Holt Douglas, and Warren Doyle, robbed the Encar casino cash transport vehicle, totaling 1 million, pocketing 300,000 US dollars.]

[Specific Details…]

[Tax Due: 188,000 US dollars.]

"So he is the inside man..."

Surprised at the information that surfaced above Anthony's head, David was slightly amazed but quickly came to terms with it.

The route of the Encar casino cash transport vehicle wasn't fixed on a daily basis, nor was there a fixed departure time.

Without an inside man to leak information for an outside collaboration, the robbers wouldn't have had such an easy job.

But it had to be said, this Anthony certainly had some ability, managing to clear himself of suspicion in front of both the casino and the police.

"Manager David, these two are...?"

Lost in thought, Anthony already approached, feigning composure as he scrutinized Nisen and David.

"My name is Nisen, an inspector from the National Tax Bureau Lakeside District Sub-Bureau Branch, and this is my partner David!"

"National Tax Bureau!?"

First, Anthony was surprised, then relaxed, and finally, confusion arose.

He had thought his suspicions hadn't been fully cleared and that the FBI had sent someone for further investigation.

But he didn't expect it to be the National Tax Bureau.

At that moment, he felt somewhat bewildered.

"Mr. Anthony, may we have a word in private?"

"Of course!"

The three of them subsequently moved to a rest room.

Anthony asked first, "Gentlemen inspectors, may I know how I can assist you?"

"It's like this, we came to talk to Mr. Anthony to inquire about the cash transport vehicle robbery that happened seven days ago!"

"The cash transport vehicle robbery case!"

Anthony paused, then responded, "I've already explained the specifics to the police department thoroughly, oh, forgive my boldness, but isn't this kind of matter outside the jurisdiction of the National Tax Bureau?"

"The robbery itself is none of our business, but the amount stolen in the robbery is!"

This time it was David who spoke.

Now that we know this guy is the mole.

He was determined to get his hands on that nearly $400,000 in taxes!

"Hmm? What do you mean?"

Anthony looked at David, still completely bewildered.

"Perhaps Mr. Anthony isn't too up-to-date with the news. A month ago, our Congress passed a 'Black Tax Bill,' which stipulates that from now on, whether it's drug trafficking, smuggling, prostitution, including the current robbery, they all have to pay their full tax amount to our National Tax Bureau..."

After hearing David's explanation, Anthony was somewhat flabbergasted.

He didn't pay much attention to current affairs and was not very clear about such legislation being passed.

But you say legitimate industries should pay taxes to the National Tax Bureau, that's normal.

But drug trafficking, smuggling, prostitution, robbery, all of these have to pay taxes to the National Tax Bureau?

That seemed a bit too outrageous!

"Did you get that, Mr. Anthony?"

Anthony got a grip on his emotions and played innocent in reply, "Clear, but gentlemen Inspectors, if you want to collect this tax, shouldn't you be going after the robber?"

"Mr. Anthony, I didn't say we wouldn't go after the robber, why so nervous?"

Nisen narrowed his eyes with a meaningful look at Anthony.

"Alright then, what do you want to ask?"

"Sofia Nella, Jill Nella, you should know them, shouldn't you?"

Upon hearing these two names, a barely perceptible change flashed in Anthony's eyes, and then he replied with feigned nonchalance, "Sofia is my ex-wife, Jill is her brother, what about it?"

Nisen pulled out a document from inside his suit and said, "We've checked, and these two sisters lost a lot of money in the futures market a month ago. Did you know?"

"Is that so!"

Anthony seemed somewhat surprised, then calmly replied, "Inspector sir, as you know, she is my ex-wife, we're not on good terms, I honestly didn't know about this!"

"We also found out that of the money your ex-wife and her brother owe, $200,000 came from high-interest loans, which means they really needed the money!"

Although Nisen didn't spell it out directly, his implication was clear.

And that was: you, Anthony, definitely have a motive to commit the crime!

"Inspector sir, what are you implying, that I was involved in this robbery?"

"You should know, the police station has already proved my innocence. Although the National Tax Bureau has a lot of power, you can't just slander a law-abiding citizen!"

Anthony became emotionally agitated, continuously defending himself.

"Mr. Anthony, believe me, our National Tax Bureau isn't like that bunch of useless people at the police station. We have our own authority, systems, and methods. We can find out more things than you could ever imagine!"

"You either confess honestly or I can guarantee that you won't be able to spend even a cent of your million!"

With his promotion at stake, Nisen was also beginning to play hardball.

"What honest confession, I don't understand or know anything, I only know that I am innocent!"

"Innocent, are you sure?"

The two men, who were still in the midst of a heated argument, turned their gaze to David at the same time.

"If you're unwilling to speak, then perhaps I should go and have a chat with Paul Wolf, Holt Douglas, Warren Doyle, what do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Anthony's expression changed dramatically.

And Nisen, while not understanding who these people were, clearly noticed the shift in Anthony's demeanor and cast a suspicious glance at David.

"Who are Paul Wolf and Holt? I don't know them!"

"Mr. Anthony, Paul Wolf, a regular at your casino, you even introduced him to a loan shark, how could you not recognize him?"

David smiled lightly and continued, "As for Holt, a junkie from the old city's slums, Warren, a gang member from the 10th district..."

This information was not fabricated out of thin air, but clearly recorded on the panel of the 'golden finger.'"