In Lynchburg, the old Brown Lumber Yard had been transformed into an exquisite palace complex.
"The opening of the Lynchburg Hotel marks the starting point of our historic cultural town project. Now let's welcome the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, Mr. Harry, and Senator Thomas to unveil the hotel."
The palace's golden domes gleamed in the sunlight, embraced gently by lush green mountains and vegetation.
In front of the palace, Harry and Thomas stood on either side. Amid thunderous applause from the townspeople, they pulled away the white silk drape.
Revealed beneath it was the marble archway adorned with flying ribbon sculptures, on which was inscribed:
Lynchburg Distant Mountain Resort Hotel
Inside the hotel, by the pool on a lounge chair, Hoover sat in floral swim trunks and said to Leo:
"This hotel doesn't look like it cost two million. It looks like ten million.
I've never seen this style before. It's beautiful. I want to make this the FBI's retreat base. I'll support your business."
Leo replied calmly:
"It looks big, but it's actually split into three phases. This is only Phase One.
Right now it can accommodate about 300 guests at once.
When all three phases are complete, it'll handle 1,200.
We're membership-only, no walk-ins."
Hoover chuckled:
"I'm kidding. If we show up, your real customers won't dare come.
Besides, the FBI's budget isn't that fat. This place clearly isn't cheap.
Thanks for the 5%, but I can't accept it. Too many people want me dead already—I can't give them any openings.
There are plenty of capable people, but very few who can truly help me.
Leo, you really don't want to join the FBI? If you did, you'd be my personally designated successor.
Forget Herbert, forget Eamon—even MacArthur wouldn't matter.
If you wanted, you could influence the presidential election itself."
Hoover spoke with genuine-sounding warmth.
Truthfully, when dealing with someone of Hoover's level, microexpression reading was useless.
This old fox was so skilled he could perform whatever emotion you wanted to see.
Leo had learned to remind himself: Relying on others is worse than relying on yourself.
Besides, Leo had his own goals.
"Thank you for your appreciation, but I still want to try being a true master of this country myself."
Hoover laughed heartily:
"Hahaha—young people with ideals aren't a bad thing."
But in truth, behind his smiling face, Hoover quietly labeled Leo arrogant.
The more you learned about America's dirty realities, the clearer it became how impossible it was to "make it" on ideals alone.
In his mind, Hoover mentally downgraded Leo from a talent to a useful pawn.
Especially given recent intelligence suggesting that Virginia was brewing a serious political storm—and Leo seemed to be drifting toward its center.
If Hoover invested a few resources in him now, there might be unexpected returns later.
"I heard Gerard has been causing you some trouble. Tell you what—I'll transfer Kent to run Virginia for me.
Nevada's Las Vegas is getting wilder and suits Gerard's detective brilliance better."
Leo's face showed deep gratitude, but inside, alarm bells were blaring.
He didn't believe a single word Hoover said.
These politicians were masters at playing both sides.
Kent coming to Virginia? There was definitely another purpose behind it.
As night fell, Hoover and Thomas eventually departed.
Harry and Eamon, along with trusted state and city officials, stayed behind.
They'd all just finished a soak in the hot springs, their faces rosy as they headed to their rooms.
Each guest room was nestled quietly in the woods, carefully spaced apart.
But despite their satisfaction, many seemed a little frustrated—especially Governor Harry.
When they reached the fork leading to their rooms, Harry finally couldn't hold back and asked:
"Leo, I read about that big case in Lynchburg in the papers.
But a lot of details were unclear—like that wicked Lakeside Manor."
Leo acted as if he hadn't caught the loaded part of the question and answered politely:
"Sir, it's getting late. Tomorrow morning, I've prepared Cantonese dim sum from Guangzhou. Very special.
We can talk all about it over breakfast."
Harry didn't give a damn about any "Lakeside Manor." Virginia had countless sinful places—who could bother worrying about them all?
He was just using the question to see if Leo would offer any arrangements like that manor—
especially now, after the hot spring soak, when everyone felt that something was missing.
Harry was quietly irritated with Leo.
"Country boy is still a country boy. No sense of refinement. No idea how to take care of people," he thought.
So Harry and the government crowd returned to their luxurious rooms with gloomy, disappointed faces.
They all thought the same thing:
Unless we have business here, we're not coming back.
Knock, knock, knock.
Governor Harry had just finished a cold shower to calm himself down when he heard the knocking.
Wrapped in a bath towel, he opened the door impatiently.
Standing there was a tall, striking blonde woman in a Nazi officer's uniform.
Her features were beautiful—classic Aryan type, with golden hair and piercing blue eyes.
In an enticing voice, she said:
"Sir, would you care to make your contribution to the global anti-fascist cause?"
A very personal "tent" was pitched on the Governor immediately.
Lynchburg Hotel – Leo's office.
He was on the phone with Maximus, his old Special Forces intelligence officer, now Naval Attaché in Germany.
"How's the quality?" Leo asked.
On the other end, Maximus sounded smug.
"Excellent. In today's Germany, you open your cigarette case and however many cigarettes you have, that's how many women you can get.
When I put them on the boat, they look at me like I'm God."
The next morning the Cantonese dim sum was completely devoured.
Taste aside—it mostly served to replenish the considerable energy everyone had burned last night.
Governor Harry never brought up Lakeside Manor again.
Instead, he beamed at Leo:
"I really see now what Thomas meant about you. You're an absolute genius."
He was also privately recalling that amazing experience last night—
storming the Reichstag several times over, so to speak.
"Gentlemen," Leo said with a sly smile, "the global anti-fascist cause is a great and noble mission.
Apart from Germans, we also have Italians and Japanese.
Even some Eastern European noblewomen to rescue.
Here are your membership cards—welcome back anytime."
At the other side of the breakfast room, Joseph was handing out a stack of membership cards to the local Richmond councilmen from Monroe Park and the East District.
Harry blinked in disbelief:
"Is all that true?"
Leo smiled cryptically.
"The unknown is always the most beautiful."
Harry chuckled:
"This really is an irresistible place.
Give me a dozen membership cards—I'll do my part for the cause."
As the Richmond "study tour" group left, Joseph turned to Leo with satisfaction.
"It's done. The approvals that have been stalled for days—they'll be signed off tomorrow.
Eamon promised to rush his construction projects through too.
And the councilmen from Jackson Ward have agreed to hand over the old district's redevelopment to us.
However long it takes—they'll wait.
Richmond's situation is wide open now.
The hotel was a massive success."
Leo watched the palace behind them and said quietly:
"This is only the beginning."