“The fact that you two officers are willing to come to my little shop for noodles is already giving face to me, Old Hale. How could I possibly take your money?” Old Hale hurriedly declined. Caleb Bennett and Matthew Brooks were patrol officers on the street—if he took their money, would he ever have a peaceful life again? Besides, it was rare for the two of them to come to his noodle shop; letting them eat for free once didn’t matter.

“Just take it when you’re told! Officer Brooks is honest and self-disciplined—how could you tarnish his reputation?” Caleb Bennett snapped coldly. At first, he didn’t agree with Matthew Brooks’s way of doing things. He was keeping the peace—what was wrong with getting a free meal or two?

But now, he had come to agree with Matthew Brooks’s principles. Before the Japanese arrived, eating and drinking for free on the street was nothing. But now, if you still freeloaded, people would point fingers at your backbone.

“Thank you, then. Please, take your time. I’ll go tend to the other customers.” Old Hale was relieved. Although his table would be occupied, as long as they weren’t eating for free, his resentment naturally lessened.

“Damn.” Matthew Brooks had been watching the street, and suddenly let out a low exclamation. Today was truly strange—Shawn Benson from the Special Services had actually come to inspect in person, and their eyes met. Clearly, they had been spotted.

Chapter 3: The Trick

Caleb Bennett followed Matthew Brooks’s gaze, the cigarette butt between his fingers dropping onto the table without him noticing. Leaving his post during a mission and being caught red-handed by Shawn Benson—the consequences were truly unpredictable.

“You two seem to be quite at leisure.” Shawn Benson walked straight to their table and said coldly.

“Reporting to Director Benson, Caleb Bennett and Matthew Brooks are currently on duty.” Caleb Bennett quickly regained his composure, sprang to his feet, stood at attention, and saluted Shawn Benson loudly.

As soon as Caleb Bennett stood up, Matthew Brooks also immediately got up, glanced at Shawn Benson, lowered his eyes, and stepped back to stand by the table. Although Shawn Benson’s tone was cold, it wasn’t harsh. Was he so confident about catching Howard Clark? Or did he simply not take Caleb Bennett and himself seriously?

“Your post is on the street. Are you saying there are Communists in the noodle shop too?” Shawn Benson sneered, ignoring Caleb Bennett and sitting down at the table.

“This spot has a wide view and is good for concealment. If we spot the suspect, we can act immediately.” Caleb Bennett replied with a smile.

“Director Benson, we’re just ‘beating the grass to scare the snake.’ With the Special Services here, do you even need us?” Matthew Brooks quickly smiled and took out a Sanpao Tai cigarette, offering one to Shawn Benson and lighting it for him.

“Have you had breakfast, Director Benson? The noodles here are good. Old Hale, a bowl of shredded pork noodles, extra meat.” Without waiting for Shawn Benson to speak, Caleb Bennett called out to Old Hale. His voice wasn’t loud, but it was almost a shout.

“Sit down.” Shawn Benson’s expression finally softened. After all, Caleb Bennett and Matthew Brooks were just patrol officers; expecting them to catch underground Communists was a bit much.

From the moment Shawn Benson entered, Matthew Brooks’s mind was in turmoil. He had participated in several Special Services operations, but when had Shawn Benson ever come to inspect in person? Not to mention Shawn Benson, even Leonard Hale had never given them a second glance. Matthew Brooks didn’t dare take his eyes off the street; after Shawn Benson came in, he kept watching the street from the corner of his eye.

Suddenly, Matthew Brooks saw the Third Young Master. The rain outside was getting heavier, and the Third Young Master’s customers were increasing. From the rickshaw, Matthew Brooks could only see the passenger’s legs. The man had one leg crossed over the other; from the side, only his pants and leather shoes were visible. The moment Matthew Brooks saw those shoes, Howard Clark’s name popped into his mind!

Because those shoes were brown, and they were pointed leather shoes—such shoes were rare. Most importantly, Howard Clark always wore shoes like that. Just two days ago, he’d seen Howard Clark wearing those very shoes. As Matthew Brooks was about to stand up, Shawn Benson suddenly slapped the table, making him jump and swallow his words.

The rain outside was getting heavier, but Matthew Brooks’s brief glance just now hadn’t been affected at all. The pair of brown pointed leather shoes in the Third Young Master’s rickshaw looked more and more like Howard Clark’s. But as soon as Shawn Benson shouted, he immediately withdrew his gaze.

“Matthew Brooks!” Shawn Benson suddenly barked, the anger in his eyes almost blazing: “Since I came in, you haven’t even looked at me directly. Are you ignoring your superior?”

“Director Benson, what are you saying? I was just worried the suspect might escape.” Matthew Brooks replied humbly. He no longer dared look out the window. Suddenly, he understood—spotting Howard Clark would mean trouble; not seeing him meant safety.

Besides, Shawn Benson was facing the street directly; he should see more clearly than Matthew Brooks. If Shawn Benson hadn’t noticed Howard Clark, why should he say anything? Trouble comes from the mouth—Matthew Brooks understood this all too well.

“With the Director of Special Services here, no suspect could possibly escape.” Caleb Bennett quickly tried to smooth things over.

“With the Special Services on the job, the suspect couldn’t get away even if he grew wings!” Shawn Benson finished his noodles in a few bites, tossed down his chopsticks, and swaggered out.

“Old Bennett, let’s go too.” Matthew Brooks said with a bitter smile. Now that Shawn Benson had come, there was no way he and Caleb Bennett could stay in the noodle shop to wait out the rain. Tightening their raincoats, the two of them plunged into the downpour.