A Country Only Concerned With Interests

"First, tell me who told you."

"You wouldn't know them even if I told you."

"I can try."

"Clara Strick."

"...A CIA agent from the Derek Storm novel series?"

"..."

Lake looked at Cassel, whose expression seemed a bit surprised, and chuckled, "I don't really like reading, but since Derek was written with me as the inspiration, I still read it."

Cassel was speechless, "Let me say it again, it wasn't based on you."

Lake laughed, "Brave?"

Cassel's expression was blank, "You're reckless."

What normal person would jump into a huge pit knowing it was waiting for them?

"Handsome and cool."

"You're stubborn!"

What normal person would still use an old flip phone in this internet age, and one that clearly showed signs of repair.

"Loyal!"

"You're only loyal to yourself."

"..."

Cassel glanced at Lake, who wasn't arguing back, and said, "Did I hit the nail on the head? So, I'll say it again, Derek wasn't based on you. Derek, the important part is Rick, which is Cassel's nickname, so..."

Lake waved his hand, "The pen is in your hand, say whatever you want. Go ahead, what did you find?"

Derek had been written to death by Cassel.

And it was a headshot, no less.

Lake thought about it and decided it wasn't worth dwelling on who the inspiration was, especially considering Derek's unfortunate end.

Cassel glanced at the stairwell and then said, "It should have been about a month ago. After I attended a book signing event, I met Maureen on the way, and we came back together."

Lake's eyes turned a little strange.

Cassel continued, "The very next day, I received a call from a friend who told me that the woman I walked back with yesterday was special and that I should limit my contact with her."

Lake frowned, "Then why didn't you tell me?"

Cassel shrugged, "It didn't concern me much at the time, and besides, she's your girlfriend, and you two have a good relationship. What would you have thought if I had said something?"

Cassel spread his hands towards Lake and fell silent.

Lake glanced at Cassel and didn't say anything else.

Indeed.

If Cassel had said something like that a month ago, Lake was sure he would have thought someone was trying to steal his girl, especially since Cassel had a history of it.

And he was a writer. With a line like "You are my muse, my source of inspiration," most women would fall for this talented and good-looking scumbag.

But now?

Her identity was a bit special.

How special?

A S.H.I.E.L.D. agent?

Lake narrowed his eyes, and a flash of inspiration struck him.

The next second.

Lake downed his coffee, stood up, and walked towards the door, saying, "Tell Alexis I really like her pancakes. See you tonight."

With that.

Lake opened the door and left.

NYPD.

Lake looked at his watch in the ascending elevator.

Ten-thirty in the morning.

The downside of not working was sleeping in until you woke up naturally.

Ding!

The elevator doors opened.

After exiting the elevator, Lake walked through the floors of the hostage negotiation and psychological counseling office. When he reached Maureen's office, it was, without a doubt, an office being cleared out.

"Where is she?"

"Detective Edwin?"

"Maureen."

"She's gone."

A young psychologist, who was tidying up some clutter in the office, said, "I heard she resigned yesterday. Dr. Hand's friend already moved her things out."

"Thank you."

Lake, standing at the doorway, raised an eyebrow. He gave the psychologist a thank you and then turned back towards the elevator.

What was this?

Was she leaving this place of sorrow because of the breakup, or was she choosing to withdraw immediately after the breakup, fearing exposure?

The former.

Lake felt sorry.

The latter.

Lake felt… angry!

All law enforcement agencies in every world shared a common characteristic, especially those in the USA, where this trait was particularly pronounced.

The USA had no history to speak of.

Its founding wasn't based on bloodlines, but on an idea. The USA was a nation of immigrants; it didn't have much warmth or familial affection. All it had was interest.

As long as the interest was great enough, one could abandon their wife and children.

For the law enforcement agencies here, they only cared about your abilities. When you had potential, they would do everything they could to recruit you. When you were incapable or no longer useful, they would also discard you without hesitation.

This was also why Lake chose the NYPD.

Compared to the CIA and the FBI, the NYPD, which only operated regionally and was responsible for protecting New York, might not sound as imposing as those two federal agencies. However, it was a place where one could stay for a long time.

The facts had already proven this.

If what happened to Lake had occurred within the CIA or the FBI, there would only be one outcome: fend for yourself, bear the brunt alone.

But here at the NYPD?

Although it wasn't explicitly stated, from top to bottom, even Montgomery, after confirming Lake had been set up, chose to suspend himself to weather the storm. Other detectives and inspectors were fully supportive.

Of course.

Above these overt law enforcement agencies, there was another organization.

The Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division.

AKA!

S.H.I.E.L.D.!

As Lake had previously boasted, he didn't believe he had any enemies. After all, he always believed in cutting the grass by the roots. Even if he did, at most, they would be remnants of The Assistance.

To reiterate.

The remnants of The Assistance would only sneakily plant a bullet for him; they wouldn't go to such lengths to set a trap.

So, the question arose.

Who was it?

Before this, Lake had never suspected S.H.I.E.L.D. After all, in this life, he had never had any contact with S.H.I.E.L.D., nor did he want to. His territory was in New York, not Washington. Even if S.H.I.E.L.D. had an operations center in New York, Lake wouldn't go there even when he was out shopping. How could he have provoked them?

But if Maureen was from S.H.I.E.L.D., then things would be different.

The nature of the situation would completely change.

First.

As his girlfriend and a psychologist, Maureen could clearly tell that he had an undisguised personality. She knew very well what kind of trap would make him fall into it, even if he knew about it.

Second.

S.H.I.E.L.D. had a precedent for this.

Look at the Hulk.

Good heavens.

Although Bruce Banner voluntarily went with S.H.I.E.L.D., what if Natasha hadn't planted assassins outside when she went to see Bruce Banner before that?

The outcome would likely have been different.