Killer from Ten Years Ago

Kingpin, whose real name was Wilson Grant Fisk, was a burly, heavyset man.

His motto—[The underworld can now operate like a business... The chairman and CEO will be... Kingpin!]

Kingpin's criminal empire stretched across nearly all of New York. Nearly 40% of all criminal activity in the United States originated with Kingpin.

"Fifty thousand dollars!" After thinking for a while, Kino held up five fingers.

"Fifty..." Nydia Valen was somewhat shocked.

It wasn't that she couldn't afford fifty thousand dollars, but after paying it, she might have to live on instant noodles. And her son was still in elementary school.

"Miss Nydia, you should know how troublesome it is to kill a detective. Besides, fifty thousand for two lives is already a bargain for you," Kino said.

"W... what two lives?"

"Aside from Carl Hoffman, that 'financial expert,' Leland, probably played an important role as well. Of course, others may have been involved too, but that's harder to calculate. Strictly speaking, the real culprit behind your husband's death was Kingpin. If you want him dead, you can't afford the price," Kino said.

"Kingpin? Who's that?"

That fat man's status was far beyond Nydia Valen's reach.

"His shadow is behind nearly every criminal operation in New York. Who do you think he is? Financial expert Leland works for him!"

"I see! But could you make it cheaper?"

"No!"

"All right, then. I'll transfer the money to you."

"The terms are half paid upfront, with the remainder paid after the commission is complete." Seeing the transfer confirmation message, Kino smiled. "So... do you need me to bring you his 'death photo,' or perhaps deliver his 'head'?"

Nydia Valen gritted her teeth, her face filled with killing intent. "The head would be best!"

Good!

This woman had guts!

"Then okay. You'll receive the 'gift' today, or tomorrow at the latest."

Nydia Valen stood and bowed to Kino. "Thanks. Oh, right, my address..."

"No need. I can find you." Kino waved a hand.

"Then goodbye!"

"You'd better be careful. They probably discovered your investigation long ago. It's best not to leave home for the next couple of days," Kino reminded her.

Kino had originally meant well and wanted her to stay at the Odd Jobs Shop. But she had a child in school, so she definitely wouldn't choose to stay.

"I know!"

After seeing her off, Maria Hill came downstairs.

"Hill, don't try to talk me out of this!" Kino flung the files in front of her and snapped. "Take a look. Cops and criminals colluding, covering for one another. New York has been polluted by this pack of parasites."

After only one glance, Maria Hill set the files down. "The director said you could do whatever you wanted. The director also said we're not police."

"Who would've thought? That bald guy actually has some guts and broad-mindedness," Kino joked.

Behind the surveillance monitors, Nick Fury's face darkened even further in anger.

"Anna, help me look after Galina."

"Okay."

A dark and windy night, perfect for murder.

"Hey, Officer Hoffman, out patrolling the streets again?"

Seeing the familiar police car number, pedestrians on the street greeted her one after another. No one knew that beneath the outwardly honest and upright officer lay a heart filled with Evil and darkness.

If she hadn't become a detective, she could have gone to Hollywood.

That mask she wore was convincing.

"Yeah. The streets have been a little uneasy lately. That murderer from ten years ago is back, so everyone should try not to go out at night." Carl Hoffman rolled down the window and gestured to the pedestrians.

"Huh? Is that true? Officer Hoffman, don't scare us!"

"Yeah, aren't things like this supposed to be kept from the public?"

"You people, I'm doing this for your own good. This isn't exactly a secret anymore. Investigation techniques weren't advanced enough ten years ago, so he got away. My predecessor was so guilt-ridden over it that she became depressed and killed herself. For all of you, and to avenge my predecessor, I'll definitely bring him to justice." Carl Hoffman spoke with righteous conviction.

"Oooh!"

"Yeah!"

"With Officer Hoffman here, we can rest easy."

"That's right. In all the cases Officer Hoffman has solved over the past ten years, none took more than half a month."

"Go, Officer Hoffman!"

"All right, all right. Save the praise for after I catch that murderer. But it's getting late, so hurry home." Carl Hoffman smiled and scolded them lightly.

"Yes, Officer Hoffman."

After driving the pedestrians home, Carl Hoffman lit a cigar and took a satisfying puff. The warm, kindly look vanished from her face, replaced by a growing fierceness.

"Heh, I think I'm really getting addicted to this feeling." Carl Hoffman smiled.

She knew exactly what kind of person she was. A wolf in sheep's clothing, that was all.

There was no killer from ten years ago, and no return to the underworld.

That killer from ten years ago had been arranged by Mr. James Wesley, Kingpin's second-in-command. The goal had been to force out her stubborn predecessor and secure Carl Hoffman's promotion.

Just as planned, her predecessor had fallen!

And tonight, Mr. Kingpin was conducting a major transaction. She had come out early to help clear the route.

That so-called killer from ten years ago was merely an excuse she had fabricated.

Her partner, a somewhat burly Black policewoman, smiled seductively and flattered her. "Officer Hoffman, you're really beloved by the people."

"Heh, you could be too!"

"I'm going to buy something to eat. What do you want?" the Black policewoman asked.

"A pizza and an iced coffee."

"Got it!"

Watching the Black policewoman's round, plump ass, Carl Hoffman licked her dry lips, her eyes blazing with desire.

"Fuck, that tempting little vixen. I'll have her tonight."

Just then, an icy voice suddenly rang out. The bone-chilling cold made every hair on her body stand on end.

"Well, well. Who would've thought that the famous and respected Officer Carl Hoffman had a taste for Black pearls? Tsk, tsk!"

"Who is it?!"

Carl Hoffman's heart trembled as she swiftly reached for her pistol.

However, the place where she kept it was completely empty...

What? Where was her gun?

"Guns are interesting things, but not everyone deserves to play with them."

Carl Hoffman shakily turned to look behind her, then froze in shock. What did she see? That man had actually crushed the pistol into a lump of metal in his hand!

Terror surged through her heart!

"Y-you... who are you?"

"Officer Carl Hoffman, Hope Clive asked me to send you his regards!"

Hope Clive!!!

Carl Hoffman's eyes widened abruptly. Wasn't that the guy she had shot dead half a month ago under the pretense that he was carrying "powder" and resisting arrest?!

"Y-you..."

The instant the words left her mouth, her consciousness sank into darkness!

The Black policewoman returned to the patrol car with coffee in one hand and pizza in the other, swaying her full hips. "Officer Hoffman, your... ah——"

A shrill scream rang out!