Matthew Brooks also lit one for himself. He didn’t say a word, just gazed with some boredom at the sparsely populated street. Sure enough, after taking a few deep drags, Caleb Bennett held the cigarette butt between his fingers, glanced eastward, and finally said, “There’s something odd about what happened today.”

“How so?” Matthew Brooks asked knowingly. Although he was still young, after working at the police station for over half a year, his shrewdness had deepened many times over.

Listen and observe more, speak and ask less, think things through when something happens, and never take a stand lightly. As long as you can do these things, staying safe is not a problem. After joining the police station, Matthew Brooks had seen quite a few people get into trouble just because they couldn’t keep their mouths shut. Sometimes, a careless remark could bring about a disaster. This was the lesson Matthew Brooks had learned, proven by bloody facts.

“To arrest someone like Howard Clark, a frail scholar, the agents from the Special Services Division would have been enough. Besides, today Littlefield even showed up in person. If Howard Clark was really that important, the military police should have sent someone. If Howard Clark wasn’t important, why offer such a high reward? Did you notice, most of the people involved today were from the Security Division, with only a few from the Special Services Division.” Caleb Bennett analyzed the situation methodically. He would only speak so freely in front of Matthew Brooks; with anyone else, he would never be so outspoken.

“You’re absolutely right, Old Bennett. It’s a real shame you’re not the director.” Matthew Brooks threw in a compliment offhandedly. He, too, suspected there was something off about the whole thing, but he would never say it out loud. In this respect, he was different from Caleb Bennett; he never showed off, as long as he understood things himself.

“With my abilities, I wouldn’t dare say I could be the director, but being a section chief or team leader shouldn’t be a problem.” Caleb Bennett was clearly pleased by Matthew Brooks’s flattery. He’d been a cop for over ten years—not that he’d seen it all, but he certainly knew the ropes. In fact, being a boss was much easier than doing the work; as long as you could give orders to subordinates and flatter your superiors, that was enough.

“You’re really overqualified for the Security Division.” Matthew Brooks said with a smile. Flattery costs nothing, but it works even better than offering a cigarette. Most of the experience he’d gleaned from Caleb Bennett over the past half year had come this way. Caleb Bennett didn’t have many other hobbies these days—bragging in front of him was all that was left.

“I’ll tell you this: something is definitely going to happen today.” Caleb Bennett said with even more certainty after hearing Matthew Brooks’s compliment. He was a veteran cop of over ten years; he could spot clues in the smallest details. He might hold back in front of others, but with Matthew Brooks, he had to assert his authority.

“Even if something does happen, it’s got nothing to do with us.” Matthew Brooks replied indifferently.

Although he wore a look of indifference, Matthew Brooks was actually on high alert inside. He’d long since lost the carelessness he had when he first joined the force, and he didn’t even know when he’d become so meticulous. The situation that morning had been a bit unusual, and he’d been mulling it over ever since. Any unreasonable event must be hiding a secret. After Caleb Bennett’s analysis, he found it matched his own reasoning. If something did happen today, it would definitely be related to Howard Clark.

“That’s true enough. What did you have for breakfast?” Caleb Bennett suddenly stopped in front of Old Hale’s noodle shop and asked.

“I haven’t eaten yet. Come on, I’ll treat you to noodles—Old Hale’s shop is just ahead.” Matthew Brooks knew exactly what Caleb Bennett was thinking and quickly offered. If it weren’t for Caleb Bennett’s fondness for small perks, he wouldn’t have been able to get so close to him. It was precisely because Matthew Brooks was “generous” that Caleb Bennett was willing to partner with him.

“How can I let you treat me all the time? Today, I really must be the host.” Caleb Bennett said, feigning politeness, but as he reached into his pocket, he suddenly sighed and gave Matthew Brooks a helpless look: “I forgot my wallet today. Next time, it’s on me for sure.”

“No worries, we’ll talk about it next time.” Matthew Brooks smiled, not exposing him. But in his heart, he thought, when have you ever brought your wallet? At least when he was with him, it was always “forgotten.”

The two of them, dressed in police uniforms and carrying guns, sat down at a window table. Although all three tables in the shop were occupied, as soon as they sat down, the others at their table sensibly moved to other tables. After finishing their noodles, the two naturally didn’t leave right away. They’d taken the window seat, which gave them a clear view of the whole street and was close to the door—if anything happened, they could rush out immediately. The rain was getting heavier, and neither of them was foolish enough to wait outside in it.

After finishing their meal, Matthew Brooks offered another cigarette, though he didn’t smoke himself. People say a cigarette after a meal is better than being immortal, but his addiction wasn’t that strong. Since they were in public, Caleb Bennett spoke very cautiously, never mentioning the arrest, just making small talk with Matthew Brooks.

“Officer Bennett, Officer Brooks, are you finished eating?” The noodle shop owner, Old Hale, respectfully brought over two cups of tea. After they nodded, he cleared away the bowls and chopsticks.

“Here’s the money for the noodles.” Matthew Brooks casually placed the money on the table. Even though this was his jurisdiction, he always paid wherever he ate. That was his principle—otherwise, he’d feel a pain in his back every day.