The Killer from Ten Years Ago

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

His motto—[The underworld can now be run 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 could be traced back to Kingpin.

"$50,000!" After thinking for a moment, Kino held up five fingers.

"F-five..." Nydia Valen was somewhat stunned.

It wasn't as though she couldn't come up with $50,000, but after paying it, she might have to live on instant noodles. Her son was still in elementary school.

"Miss Nydia, you should know how troublesome it is to kill a detective. Besides, $50,000 for two lives is already a bargain for you," Kino said.

"W-what two lives?"

"Besides Carl Hoffman, that 'financial expert,' Leland, most likely 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 is 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 anything Nydia Valen could reach.

"His shadow lies 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 a little cheaper?"

"No!"

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

"Half upfront. The rest will be paid after the commission is complete." After seeing the transfer confirmation, Kino smiled. "So... do you need me to bring you his 'death photo,' or perhaps his 'head'?"

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

Good!

This woman had guts!

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

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

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

"Then goodbye!"

"You'd better be careful. They may have already discovered your investigation. 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 remain here.

"I know!"

After seeing her off, Maria Hill came downstairs.

"Hill, don't try to talk me out of this!" Kino threw the documents in front of her and snapped. "Look at this. Cops and criminals colluding together—New York has been polluted by these vermin."

After only one glance, Maria Hill set the documents down. "The director said you can do whatever you want. The director also said that we're not police."

"Didn't expect it. That bald guy has some courage and broad-mindedness after all," Kino teased.

Behind the surveillance monitors, Nick Fury's face darkened another shade.

"Anna, help me look after Galina."

"Oh."

It was a dark, windy night—a perfect night for murder.

"Hey, Officer Hoffman, out patrolling again?"

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

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

What an act.

"Yeah. The streets have been a little uneasy lately. That murderer from ten years ago has resurfaced, so everyone should avoid going out at night." Carl Hoffman rolled down the window and gestured to the pedestrians.

"Huh? Really? Officer Hoffman, don't scare us!"

"Yeah, shouldn't something like that be kept from the public?"

"You people, I'm doing this for your own good. This isn't a secret anymore. Investigative technology wasn't advanced enough ten years ago, so he got away. My predecessor was so guilt-ridden that he fell into depression and killed himself. For everyone's sake, and to avenge my predecessor, I'll definitely bring him to justice." Carl Hoffman spoke with righteous conviction.

"Oh, oh, oh!"

"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. It's getting late, so hurry home." Carl Hoffman smiled and scolded them lightly.

"Yes, Officer Hoffman."

After shooing the pedestrians home, Carl Hoffman lit a cigar and took a satisfying puff. The friendly, gentle expression vanished from his face, gradually replaced by a ruthless look.

"Heh, I'm really starting to like this feeling." Carl Hoffman smiled.

He knew exactly what kind of person he was. A wolf in sheep's clothing.

There had never been any killer from ten years ago, nor had anyone returned to the scene.

The killer from ten years ago had been arranged by Mr. James Wesley, Kingpin's second-in-command. The goal had been to force out the stubborn former detective and secure Carl Hoffman's rise to the position.

And just as planned, his predecessor had collapsed!

Tonight, Mr. Kingpin was conducting a major business deal, and Carl Hoffman had come out in advance to clear the way.

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

His partner, a slightly burly Black policewoman, flirtatiously buttered him up. "Officer Hoffman, you're really adored 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."

"Okay!"

Watching the Black policewoman's plump, swaying ass, Carl Hoffman licked his dry lips, his eyes burning with lust.

Damn it, that seductive little vixen. I'll have her tonight.

Just then, an icy voice suddenly rang out. The bone-piercing chill made every hair on his body stand on end.

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

"Who's there?!"

Carl Hoffman's heart jolted as he quickly reached for his pistol.

However, the place where he kept it was empty...

What? Where was his gun?

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

Carl Hoffman tremblingly turned his head to look behind him, then froze. What did he see? That man had crushed the pistol into a lump of iron with his bare hand!

Terror surged through him!

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

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

Hope Clive!!!

Carl Hoffman's eyes flew wide open. Wasn't that the guy he had shot dead half a month ago on the pretext of resisting arrest while concealing "powder"?

"Y-you..."

The instant the words left his mouth, his consciousness plunged into darkness!

--

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

A terrified scream rang out!