You know, American-style iaido is unbeatable—if he dares not listen to the police, these officers really would empty their magazines on him.

“John, you’re causing trouble again!”

One of the police officers clearly recognized John Lewis, stepped forward, pinned him to the ground, and cuffed him.

At this moment, another officer also holstered his gun and walked over.

He was a white man.

Glancing at the dozen or so Asians lying on the ground, he shook his head and called for backup and an ambulance.

“I recognize you!”

He looked at Chris, frowned, and asked, “What happened here?”

“Officer Sharon (Sschalow), this has nothing to do with Chris. You know, Chris was just discharged from the hospital yesterday, and he only came by today to check on things. Then John Lewis showed up, insisting that Chris sell him the funeral home. When Chris refused, he had his people start a fight. He even threatened us, saying that if we didn’t sell, he wouldn’t let us make a single cent.”

“Chris, is that true?”

Officer Sharon clearly knew Bruno, and also knew John Lewis.

He frowned and asked, “What about these people?”

“I fought them,” Chris said calmly. “They were going to trash the place and threatened Bruno and Mia, so I had to act.”

“Just you, by yourself?”

“Yes, just me.”

Sharon’s expression softened a bit. He said, “A month ago, I led a team to get you out of Thomas’s house. Back then, you looked like you were about to die. I didn’t expect… Well, since that’s the case, come with me to the station and give a statement.”

“Alright!”

At this moment, two more police cars arrived.

A few officers came in, and were startled by the scene before them.

Sharon spoke with them briefly, then took Chris to the police car.

“I didn’t know you were this tough.”

Sharon drove, casually saying, “About Thomas, I’m sorry for what happened. I hope you can move on soon.”

“Thank you!”

“I know Thomas wasn’t simple. He had dealings with Franklin Lewis’s The Franklin Gang.”

“I’m not too sure about that.”

Sharon smiled and said, “I don’t care whether you know or not, and I don’t want to pry. Bay B of Sheepshead has always had a very close relationship with Precinct 61, and public order has been good these past years. When Thomas was alive, he followed the rules, so we never gave him any trouble. Chris, I’m telling you this—do you understand?”

“I think I do.”

“Good!”

Sharon coughed lightly, then continued, “Looks like you plan to keep running Ghost.”

“I haven’t decided yet.”

Sharon was silent for a moment, then said in a deep voice, “No matter what you decide, I have one piece of advice for you: don’t cause trouble, follow the rules. Just like Thomas did—if you don’t give us trouble, I won’t give you trouble.”

It seemed he knew something about Thomas and the The Franklin Gang.

“Deal.”

The police car stopped in front of the 61st Precinct, and Sharon led Chris inside.

At that moment, another police car escorting John Lewis also stopped at the station entrance, and two officers led John Lewis out.

“Chris, just you wait.”

As John Lewis passed by Chris, he shouted loudly.

Chris glanced at him, then turned to Sharon and said, “Officer, does that count as a threat?”

“Of course.”

“Can I press charges?”

Sharon couldn’t help but laugh. “Of course you can, but I should remind you—even if you win the case, it won’t do you much good.”

“Good?” Chris curled his lip and said softly, “I have money. Thomas left me a lot of money. I just want him to spend a few more days in jail.”

Sharon burst out laughing and led him to a desk to sit down.

“That’s true, Thomas really wasn’t short on money.”

He turned on the computer and clumsily tapped at the keyboard.

“Chris, do you know how to field-strip a gun?”

“Thomas taught me.”

“I knew it…”

Sharon laughed. “I asked him before, and he lied, said he didn’t know how. Looks like you’ve inherited his skills.”

“Officer, you knew Thomas?”

“Haha, I used to be his neighbor, but that was before you came along. Later I moved to Manhattan, but I didn’t expect to end up back here.”

Sharon finished recording the statement and casually shut off the computer.

“He never taught me how to field-strip a gun, but he did teach me some knife skills. Chris, remember what I told you in the car—run your business well, don’t cause trouble. Sheepshead Bay isn’t what it used to be; it’s a bit chaotic now. If you run into trouble, you can come to me. But I hope you won’t need to.”

“Thank you!”

Chris could sense Sharon’s goodwill and nodded slightly.

Just then, a black, heavyset officer walked over.

“Chief Levin, is there something you need?”

Levin had a file in his hand, which he placed on the desk.

He glanced at Chris, then said to Sharon, “There’s been a development—someone is now accusing Mr. Chris of intentional assault!”

Chapter 7: Malice