Chapter 34: Good News, Bad Timing

The two policemen standing in the doorway exchanged a look. The one who had been writing things down put away his notebook and pen. “There’s some good news. We’ve already caught the fellow who took your things. But you’ll need to come identify him. You understand what I mean?”

He did not use key words like “theft” or “burglary.” He used took, weakening the nature of the case in William’s mind while also applying pressure.

Not everyone had the nerve to identify a criminal in person. Someone had done a study last year: roughly 61.94 percent of witnesses were unwilling to identify a criminal, and more than 77.53 percent were unwilling to testify in court.

That already explained plenty. It could be seen as the bitter fruit of Baler Federation’s rotten public order, or as the reason criminal forces remained so arrogant.

In short, asking someone to identify a criminal was undoubtedly a way to increase pressure on the witness. But they had picked the wrong man. William immediately changed his clothes. “What are we waiting for?”

The two policemen could not quite figure out what William was, but they did hope this matter could be “satisfactorily” resolved.

On the way to the police station, the policeman sitting in the passenger seat talked about the “criminal” they had caught.

“He’s a young man still in school. He doesn’t admit he did it, and we really don’t have enough evidence to nail the charge down completely...”

That statement was both right and wrong. It was entirely the sort of thing said to treat William like an outsider. In a police station, once they decided someone was the criminal, and if it was necessary, a little adjustment to the evidence could nail the man down. Clearly, that was not what they intended this time.

The policeman turned slightly and glanced back at William. “I think the kid should be given a chance. A case with evidence this thin could ruin the rest of his life.”

He paused. “You weren’t hurt, and your loss was limited. If he’s willing to compensate you, I think the two of you can talk.”

After saying that, the policeman turned back around. He had said what he needed to say. As for the outcome, that was not something a front-line patrolman like him could decide.

For the two policemen in the car, William’s choice did not really matter. Even if the sky fell, it would not land on their heads. They were merely doing their best to carry out orders from above.

During the rest of the drive, they said nothing more to William, until the car stopped inside the police station.