The surprised smile lingered on Benson Moretti's face for only a moment before naturally fading. Then, the high-ranking government official in formal attire and a tie looked at the East Borough Police Headquarters commissioner, who stood nearby with his head slightly lowered as if awaiting orders, and asked in a deep voice:
"Mr. Bolton, I learned about the case on the way here. It's highly unlikely that these two young ladies could have harmed an adult wielding a weapon, isn't it?"
Perhaps to avoid suspicion, perhaps because he feared others might use it against him, the Deputy Minister of Finance did not directly acknowledge that the two "suspects" locked in the interrogation room were his nieces. However, his attitude made it abundantly clear.
After all, the telegram the police precinct had sent to the West Borough had merely asked whether the official overseeing the entire police system's finances had two nieces named Christina and Dorothy. It had not mentioned the case at all.
And that meant Benson Moretti was unreservedly supporting his two nieces, believing that they could not possibly have committed any crime serious enough to get them arrested by the Police Station.
In that instant, the middle-aged man called Bolton understood. He hurriedly nodded and said:
"Of course, of course. We've already investigated everything. Hudson has multiple prior offenses. After committing armed robbery this time, he panicked and ran into an alley with faulty wiring, where he was injured by leaking electricity. Once he wakes up at the hospital, we'll complete his statement and send him to the most heavily guarded prison!
"As for these two—these two Misses—they are victims in this case. Their cooperation with the investigation is complete, and they may leave at any time."
As he spoke, he looked at the young police officer. His