He had no connections or backing, so it was very difficult for him to gather any information. He could only make use of every relationship he had. Although Susan Rowe was just a telephone operator, she had access to a vast amount of information. As long as she was willing, she could eavesdrop on every call in the city that passed through her switchboard.

“There is…” Susan Rowe drawled, speaking with a half-smile.

“Tomorrow night at the Guxing Hotel,” Matthew Brooks blurted out, feeling the pain in his heart, but knowing that without a little gift, Susan Rowe wouldn’t provide him with any information.

“That’s more like it. The call was very short—4286 didn’t even speak, the other side just said three words: ‘Leave immediately.’” Susan Rowe said. Because of Matthew Brooks, she paid special attention to calls from Changtang Street and Taigu Street. This call only had one sentence, so it left a deep impression on her.

“Thank you.” Matthew Brooks didn’t ask any more questions. With those three words, he understood everything.

Since he was already at Susan Rowe’s house, he naturally had to go to school with her. But after arriving at the school with Susan Rowe, he went in to ask for leave, then called a rickshaw to go to Caleb Bennett’s house.

Although he was certain that Howard Clark was in Heilicun, it would take Caleb Bennett to leak the news.

Matthew Brooks told Caleb Bennett that he had received word that Howard Clark had escaped to Heilicun by the Gu River. Of course, he didn’t mention that he had personally gone to Heilicun to investigate.

“We’ll go arrest him right away! Let’s see if those useless idiots at the Special Services Department still dare to punish us!” Caleb Bennett said excitedly as soon as he heard.

Those idiots at the Special Services Department had let Howard Clark escape, but in the end, he and Matthew Brooks had to take the blame. If, thanks to Matthew Brooks’s tip, they could capture Howard Clark, let’s see what those people would have to say.

“We’re going to arrest an underground party member? That’s too dangerous—let Leonard Hale handle it.” Matthew Brooks shook his head.

These days, life was cheap, but his own life was more precious than gold. Who knew what the situation was in Heilicun? What if there were New Fourth Army guerrillas?

“Let’s go, we’ll see Leonard Hale together.” Caleb Bennett said immediately. Although catching Howard Clark himself would be a great achievement, if it meant risking his life, he’d rather not. He valued his own life above all else.

“Who am I to interfere? With you, old Bennett, taking the lead, that’s enough. Besides, I still have to go to school.” Matthew Brooks flattered him, while also giving himself an excuse and providing Caleb Bennett with a reason as well.

“All right, we don’t want anything else, just the reward money.” Caleb Bennett nodded. Without participating in the arrest, there was no way to claim any real credit.

“I’ll leave everything up to you, my friend.” Matthew Brooks cupped his hands in salute, then left Caleb Bennett’s house. He didn’t really care about the reward money. He just didn’t want Howard Clark, that scoundrel, to continue harming his fellow countrymen.

“To No. 5 Baishi Road.” Matthew Brooks immediately went out, flagged down a rickshaw for Caleb Bennett, and told the driver.

Baishi Road was in the northeast district of Guxing City. The Japanese Military Police Headquarters was just south of Baishi Road. To the north was the army hospital that the Japanese had converted from Guxing University, as well as the Japanese residential area. Further north was the Lijiamiao barracks. No. 5 Baishi Road was the home of Leonard Hale, the deputy director of the Special Services Department.

“Is Director Hale at home? I’m Caleb Bennett from the police department.” Caleb Bennett called out loudly after knocking on the door. Everyone living on Baishi Road was a “distinguished figure” after the Japanese occupation of Guxing—either merchants or high officials. If you didn’t announce yourself, it could easily cause unnecessary misunderstandings.

“What are you here for?” Leonard Hale only came out to open the door after hearing Caleb Bennett’s voice. Seeing Caleb Bennett empty-handed, his tone instantly turned icy.

He thought that since Caleb Bennett had been punished that afternoon, he must be here to plead for leniency. But Caleb Bennett didn’t know the “rules” at all, daring to visit in person—how presumptuous! And to think Caleb Bennett was an old policeman—what a fool.

“Director Hale, I’ve found a lead on Howard Clark.” Caleb Bennett lowered his voice. Just a short distance away at No. 12 was Shawn Benson’s residence, and he didn’t want Shawn Benson to know. This kind of thing could only be reported to one person—if you went to Leonard Hale, you couldn’t go to Shawn Benson as well. That was the rule; otherwise, you’d please neither side.

“Really?!” Leonard Hale was both surprised and delighted. During the day, he’d sent all the Special Services people out, but so far there hadn’t been a single lead. Luckily, Shawn Benson hadn’t blamed him for incompetence or reported him to the Tokkō, or else, as deputy director, he could be dismissed at any time. Even so, he still felt regret. Only by capturing Howard Clark could he redeem himself.

“He’s in Heilicun—went in this morning, and will definitely try to cross the river tonight.” Caleb Bennett said. As soon as Matthew Brooks explained the situation, he immediately came to the same conclusion.

“It’s already past eight—why are you only reporting this now?” Leonard Hale checked the time and said, dissatisfied.

“Director Hale, I came to tell you as soon as I got the news. I haven’t even reported to Director Benson or Director Thompson yet.” Caleb Bennett reminded him with a smile.

“Smart move, kid. If we catch him, you’ll get a share of the credit.” Only then did Leonard Hale break into a smile, realizing that Caleb Bennett still knew how to play the game.