Chapter 122: Nobody Knows Strategy Better Than Me
A delicate miniature tranquilizer dart launched from the bracelet on Haley's left wrist.
It must be said that Haley was the family's natural athlete, having not only survived the brutal training but actually grown stronger. Her combat instincts were exceptional, and in that short time, she had already mastered the angle and precision of the bracelet's tranquilizer dart launch.
The tranquilizer dart aimed for the vein in Chuck's neck.
"Holy shit!"
Just as Haley was about to launch her sneak attack, grinning and preparing to tease her stern brother, the tranquilizer dart aimed at Chuck was caught between two fingers, leaving Haley stunned.
"That's impossible!"
"Nobody knows physics better than me."
Chuck flicked his wrist, and the captured tranquilizer dart found its mark in Haley's neck.
"F—"
Haley only managed to utter one letter before she lost consciousness.
Chuck reached out and caught her by her red hoodie, preventing her from falling headfirst to the ground.
This sister already had enough attitude problems, and if she were to suffer a head injury, who knows what would happen. So, Chuck had done his best to avoid any head trauma.
In the main house,
Diane, Chuck's mother, suddenly became emotional again.
"What's wrong?"
Director McGrath said helplessly.
"Today is Christmas."
Diane began to tear up.
"Isn't it supposed to be a happy holiday?"
the director consoled. "Chuck is here, and we still have Haley."
"It's because Chuck is here that I feel terrible,"
Diane said shamefully. "He's such a good kid, and I'm a terrible mother. It was on Christmas that I left that home and him, abandoning my family."
"I see."
Director McGrath nodded grimly.
In the past, he would have immediately said it wasn't her fault, that pursuing happiness is human nature and a right, and so on.
But now, he also had a child of his own, and although Haley had a tendency toward mischief, he put himself in Chuck's shoes. If it were his daughter being abandoned by her mother on Christmas, he would have been devastated.
"I still remember Chuck's confused expression when I left. How could I have been so selfish then?"
Diane continued to wipe away her tears. "Now look at what Chuck has accomplished. He's so mature and capable."
"..."
Director McGrath opened his mouth, but the words remained unspoken.
He wondered if it was possible that Chuck simply didn't care anymore?
He didn't care about the past, nor about her as his mother, which was why he seemed so composed.
The director, who had called Chuck to invite him for the holiday, thought this was a real possibility.
He just didn't dare voice it.
Just then, Chuck came over, carrying the unconscious Haley like a sack of potatoes.
"What happened?"
Director McGrath's expression darkened.
"She's tired."
Chuck headed upstairs, motioning with his eyes for Diane to follow.
"Tired,"
Diane followed immediately, chuckling, "That little troublemaker could use some rest."
"I'll be in my study," Director McGrath said, swallowing his concern for his rebellious stepdaughter.
Chuck carried Haley to her bedroom and laid her on the bed. After reminding Diane to monitor her recovery, he cleaned up thoroughly in the bathroom and went downstairs to the director's study.
"Come in."
Director McGrath, still showing traces of irritation, tried to keep a stern expression, but seeing Chuck's characteristically impassive face, his stern look cracked, revealing a slight smile.
Chuck nodded, glanced around, and sat down.
"I know you appreciate cleanliness. Your mother cleans it every day,"
Director McGrath smiled, "and my study is no exception."
Chuck looked at him in silence.
"..."
Director McGrath saw this and knew Chuck wasn't interested in such small talk, which further confirmed his earlier suspicion.
Chuck really just didn't engage emotionally.
"Okay, let's get down to business."
The director shook his head, suppressing his thoughts. "I need your assistance on a case. I'm in the IRS Criminal Investigation Division, focusing on financial crimes. Do you know what my primary targets are?"
"Drug money,"
Chuck said calmly.
"Exactly,"
the director nodded approvingly. "You're well-informed. That's my main responsibility."
"No, that's your only responsibility,"
Chuck bluntly corrected. "The wealthy elite have all their tax avoidance handled through legal loopholes. Billionaires pay zero, and you can't touch them, and wouldn't dare try.
The poor at the bottom, living paycheck to paycheck, rely on government assistance to survive. You can't squeeze blood from a stone.
The bulk of tax revenue comes from the middle class.
They have mortgages, car payments, and kids in college, and their lives are relatively predictable. Individually, they can't fight back against you. As long as you don't push them over the edge into bankruptcy, your enforcement actions can continue.
Squeeze them a little more, and your department's budget increases.
But if this continues, those already pushed to their limits will unite and vote for change.
Normal taxpayers in all income brackets are already maxed out, leaving little room for growth.
With America's insatiable appetite for narcotics, and the accompanying cartels, money laundering operations, and trafficking networks, the vast amount of unreported illegal income becomes an untapped market with unlimited potential, providing a new source of rapid revenue growth for the IRS."
"..."
Director McGrath's mouth twitched.
Was this something he should be hearing?
Although he hated to admit it, this was indeed the reality of his job as Director of Financial Crimes.
"This case involves drug cartels,"
the director said after regaining his composure. "They all deal in cash, making them difficult to track. So, even though the agency repeatedly states that all information will be kept strictly confidential as long as they're willing to pay taxes, they still resist, choosing not to comply if possible. This isn't sustainable, so the agency needs to make an example periodically.
This case is significant, involving several major trafficking organizations. I'll have Agent Susan Greene brief you on the details. She's the IRS financial specialist assigned to this case. You'll serve as a consultant, primarily providing accounting and forensic expertise. So, are you interested?"
He remembered that Chuck prioritized personal interest over everything else when selecting cases, so he specifically asked.
"Yes,"
Chuck nodded.
This was a major case, involving drug cartels and organized crime. It would likely feature confrontations with dangerous criminals. Such scenarios would definitely increase the chances of action.
Of course, he was interested.
"Excellent,"
the director breathed a sigh of relief, a smile breaking across his face.
Although Chuck seemed difficult to work with and had unusually high standards, he couldn't help but feel satisfied after meeting his requirements and receiving his approval.
"Anything else you need?"
"Yes."
Chuck nodded matter-of-factly at the director's casual offer.
"...Tell me."
Director McGrath's smile faltered.
"Have you contacted the CIA?"
Chuck asked seriously.
"CIA?"
The director was stunned, then smiled and said, "Although this case involves international drug trafficking, it's primarily handled domestically, so CIA assistance isn't necessary."
"That's not what I'm referring to."
Chuck shook his head. "I'm asking whether you've coordinated with the CIA. I don't want their assets to be quietly released after we arrest them. I don't like coming away empty-handed."
"..."
Director McGrath was speechless and wanted to object, but when he met Chuck's serious gaze, he picked up the phone in his study and reluctantly dialed: "Director Collins, I need to discuss something with you..."
That's right.
He called the CIA Director.
Although what Chuck suggested was deeply uncomfortable, the director had to acknowledge the possibility existed.
In fact, such rumors had circulated for years among law enforcement, and had even become dark humor. Being in his position, he naturally knew more than most.
The United States is the world's largest drug market, consuming nearly half of global production. The countless profit chains that feed international trafficking organizations are interconnected, and their potential for corruption is undeniable.
The CIA, responsible for all classified foreign operations, naturally intersects with these networks, arguably at the highest levels.
Their justification to agencies like the IRS is that since they can't eliminate trafficking, they must control it, keeping the profit chains within American influence to prevent funds from flowing to hostile terrorist organizations.
So, from cultivating assets to ultimately managing operations, they work both sides, connecting upstream suppliers and downstream distributors in one integrated system, reducing intermediate losses while maximizing intelligence gathering.
"He said they have no operational assets in this case,"
the director told Chuck after hanging up.
"Of course he wouldn't admit to having assets,"
Chuck said calmly. "Otherwise, they'd have to pay taxes legally."
"...Then why did you have me contact them?"
the director realized, exasperated.
"Now we can act with full authority,"
Chuck said bluntly. "They can't complain about collateral damage to their undercover operations."
"...That's disturbingly logical."
Director McGrath complained.
He finally understood how his stepdaughter had become so aggressive. With such a calculating and ruthless stepbrother, no matter how sweet Haley had been originally, she would inevitably become more tactical.
He wanted to lecture Chuck about proper procedures, but he also knew that before meeting Chuck, he was already struggling with bureaucratic limitations. Now, under Chuck's influence, his own approach was becoming more direct and effective, not to mention his wife who defended Chuck out of maternal guilt.
What else could he do besides complain?
Chuck looked back at him with a matter-of-fact expression.
He was the most rational person he knew. He tried his best to follow proper procedures in everything, and only when legal channels proved inadequate would he exercise independent judgment.
Yeah.
His approach was guided by a principle he'd learned long ago: "Justice delayed is justice denied, and sometimes you have to make your own justice."
(End of Chapter)
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