More and more passersby gathered, casting curious looks at the police officers, who belonged to the same side but were now facing off against one another.
Well, well. What could you say?
Live long enough, and you really did see everything!
"Detachment Captain Xing, when all is said and done, we're all on the same team. We can talk this through, and a prolonged standoff won't look good for any of us. How about this? Let us take him back first, and once we've cleared up the case, we'll hand him over to you. What do you say?"
Lu Jian pulled out a cigarette and offered it to Xing Zhaojia, only to be rebuffed. He could only take out his lighter, light the cigarette himself, and take a drag before proposing what seemed to be a very sincere compromise.
Xing Zhaojia gave a cold laugh. "I think it would be better if we took him back first and handed him over to you after we've cleared things up."
A fake smile appeared on Lu Jian's face. "We're all trying to investigate the case. Why insist on who goes first, Captain Xing?"
Xing Zhaojia replied coldly, "Aren't you the one insisting on going first, Captain Lu? Let me remind you again: as a police officer, openly obstructing us in the performance of our duties makes you legally accountable!"
The smile vanished from Lu Jian's face. He took a hard drag and blew out a cloud of smoke, his tone returning to its initial belligerence. "Legally accountable? Who are you trying to scare? As far as accountability goes, I answer only to the county bureau and the County Party Committee and County Government!"
Looking at this fool who had no idea what he was getting himself into, Xing Zhaojia felt not the