Decstemic

10

In regard to Stephen’s taunt, Liam did not even blink, “None. Of. Your. Business!”

After he finished, Liam wanted to leave but was once again blocked by Stephen.

“Halt!” Stephen pulled out a form, putting it in front of Liam. “Liam, as your vice captain, I am just being fair! Today you didn’t clock in for work, and didn’t ask for the day off from any leaders. Not to mention, you arrived at the investigation meeting half an hour late. According to the rules, I must mark you down for absence!”

“Che…”

Liam had thought it was something important. But?just an absence? He looked lazily at Stephen, but could not be bothered to care.

However, Sharon and the others were very surprised, because in the police station, very few people ever got marked for an absence, since being absent had severe consequences!

Because the Key Case Investigation Unit’s investigators were often doing field work and working overtime, their attendance was not documented by something simple like signing their name on a card, but rather, they were noted by every team’s team leader personally. Based on the overtime situation, they were given breaks accordingly. This allowed for some wiggle room for the workers.

Liam was a part of Team A, so his attendance was naturally managed by the Team A Leader. But Team A’s Leader, Zack Dane, was currently injured and hospitalized. Thus, the attendance duty for Team A had temporarily been given to Vice Captain Stephen.

Despite the strict attendance rules, there was still some breathing room. Usually taking a day off here and there was reasonable. Unless there were emergency cases, people normally would not care too much.

But today, Stephen clearly had something against Liam to decide to mark him down for an absence.

In regular jobs, being absent usually did not have many repercussions, but in the police department, absence reflected on your attitude. The higher-ups gave very strict punishments: Absent once, lose one month worth of salary and stripped of the possibility of being Yearly Model Investigator; absent twice, denounced in front of the entire Investigation Unit; and on the third time, you would be transferred out of the Key Case Investigation Unit.

The repercussions of an absence could not be ignored! Stephen doing such a thing was clearly an act of revenge.

That was not even the extent of Stephen’s actions., Stephen also took a slip from the attendance sheet and smiled, “Oh, also, last night you went crazy and smashed one of our computer monitors. Here’s the bill, 1,800 dollars! I’ve already asked the higher-ups, and they all agreed that you should pay it! Later just submit the money to the Finance Department…

Hey…”

Seeing Liam putting a hand on his coffee cup, Stephen retreated in a hurry. “You…You better watch your attitude! If you go crazy again, I’ll report you for assault. The office has cameras, don’t be rash…”

“Vice Captain Stephen!” Sharon could not watch anymore, her expression was determined as she argued with Stephen, “Last night we all saw it! The computer wasn’t smashed by Officer Liam!”

“How was it not him?” Stephen craned his neck condescendingly, “If it wasn’t him going crazy, how would the computer have been smashed?”

“Right!” Another young Investigator chimed in, “If it wasn’t for Liam pushing me, I wouldn’t have bumped into the computer! This was definitely his responsibility!”

“Yeah!” A few other investigators took Stehen’s side. The atmosphere within the office immediately turned hostile, everyone was ready to fight.

“Hehehe…” Seeing the start of a fight, Liam smiled instead. He gently put down the coffee cup then walked right in front of Stephen, his voice strangely calm, “Vice Captain Stephen, we have an old saying back in my hometown, ‘always leave a way open for yourself, and victory will be yours.’ Do you want to push it this far?”

“Hmph! You are the one who doesn’t respect authority! I don’t like you, so what?” Stephen raised an eyebrow, giving a very definitive answer.

“Alright!” Liam smiled, “I, Liam, ain’t afraid of you. Since you aren’t afraid, then you and I can have a stand off, and see who lasts longer!”

“Kiddo, you…” Stephen was shocked, and took some time to digest what Liam said before roaring against the other, his eyes bulging, “You little rascal, who do you think you are? I’m the grand Key Case Investigation Unit vice captain. Me? Scared of you? Watch me wipe you off the face of the earth!”

“Sure!” Liam smirked, even whistling a little. “I’ve never been afraid of authority, come at me! That monitor’s 1800 dollars, think I’ll give it to you? Also, if you dare mark me down as absent, make sure to watch your back, and your ancestor’s grave. One day it’ll be gone and you won’t even know it. Oh, check your wife’s closet, in case someone put a skeleton in it…”

Liam’s chain of insults stunned not only Stephen but also the entire investigation team. These people had never seen such crude insults in their life. They could not even fight back. The group was completely at a loss of what to do.

After his long speech, Liam had no change in his expression, yet Stephen looked like he was about to have a heart attack, his face red with anger.

“Liam…you…you little rascal…you…” Stephen huffed and puffed yet no words came out. He knew Liam had a violent temper, but had no idea how skilled Liam was using such crude language.

Liam smiled, satisfied. He had wanted to continue, but the office door suddenly swung open and Captain Jasper walked in. His expression was of immense dismay as he shouted at the group, “Do you guys think this is appropriate? Huh?” The old man’s eyebrows were raised high as he angrily yelled at the group, “Everyone’s on the same investigation unit. Now that there’s a case, the people are waiting for us to catch the criminal, and you guys have the energy to fight each other? What kind of image are you painting of the police?”

Seeing the old man truly angry, the group went silent. No one dared to make a noise.

“Liam!” Jasper turned to Liam and yelled, “Your problem, I’ve already heard it. You youngsters are just too rash, try to look at the big picture more, got it? Don’t keep trying to always solve problems with your fists, people will laugh at you! Here…” As he spoke, the old man pointed to Stephen, “Stephen, cancel Liam’s absence. It’s been more than a decade since we’ve had an absence mark. If the Bureau Chief found out, how could I face the shame?”

“But Captain…” Stephen began to argue.

“Shut up!” The old man’s voice was thunderous, and with one look silenced the vice captain. Then, he turned to Liam again, “As for the computer, you can’t avoid it. Destroying public property, and for personal reasons too, this one’s on you!”

Hearing this, Stephen’s face once again showed a triumphant smile.

Liam clenched his fist and nearly yelled out “I’ll pay you my ass,” but Jasper raised a hand to stop him, ” I’ve always tried to be fair with what I do. Kid, when you solved the Taser Rape case, you truly surprised me! How about this, we’ll make a bet. If you can solve this Lost Hand Case we have right now, then the computer, I’ll pay it for you!”

“What?” Liam gaped, he would have never imagined the old man would make a bet with him.

“Captain! Nononono…” Stephen’s eyes became alert, and he spoke up, “We simply can’t bother you with such a foolish bet, how about this, I’ll bet with Liam instead! If Liam can solve this case within the allocated time. I’ll pay the computer fee!”

“Ah? Holy sh*t?” Liam thought. He was never one to be intimidated, so he slammed his hands down on the table. “Alright, stupid Stephen, no going back! Within a week, I will definitely solve this case, this Lost Hand Case!”