Chapter 236: That Damn Greed for Money

We stood in a vacant lot not far from Antonio’s hideout, waiting for the operatives from Switzerland’s Federal Intelligence Service (FIS) to arrive while engaging in a leisurely conversation.

“Agent Hong Jongsu, is there anything we need to know before the operation begins?”

“Nothing in particular, except that the lights in the annex have gone out.”

“Are you saying Antonio’s guards have gone to sleep?”

At that moment, I noticed Team Leader Lee Hyeonsol shaking his head doubtfully. Realizing that he had something on his mind, I addressed him.

“Team Leader Lee, tell us what you think.”

“Antonio left with some of his guards, so there was no reason for them to turn off all the lights in the annex.”

“But couldn’t the remaining guards have left the lights on in the mansion while guarding it?”

“The footage Saho recorded only showed Kwak Cheolhun and an unidentified foreigner being held captive in the basement. Besides, their boss is gone. Why would his subordinates casually go to sleep? It’s strange.”

“Hmm... Now that you mention it, you’re right.”

“That’s why I suggest we send Saho back into their hideout.”

Stroking Saho’s head as he sat in my arms, I asked him,

“Well, how about checking things out so your food digests faster?”

Saho nodded in agreement. As if he had been waiting for precisely that, Team Leader Seo Donghun immediately flung open the van door.

At once, the cat jumped from my arms and shot outside like an arrow.

Chief Secretary Kang Inhan, who had been watching him, turned to me with a puzzled expression.

“Why did Saho agree to your request so easily this time, Director?”

Usually, whenever I asked Saho to do something, he either flatly refused while shaking his head or demanded something in return. But this time, the cat had obeyed without imposing any conditions, which was why Kang Inhan found it so surprising.

“Looks like he stuffed himself with so much beef that his belly is about to burst.”

“Haha. Now I understand.”

“Let’s discuss something else. What could have made Antonio set out in the middle of the night?”

“I’ll find out right now.”

After giving a brief reply, Agent Hong Jongsu dialed someone, exchanged a few words, and ended the call.

“Director Cha, I contacted the CIA agent tailing Antonio. He says Antonio has arrived in Lucerne.”

“What kind of city is Lucerne?”

“It’s a tourist city located on the way to Zurich.”

About twenty minutes passed.

Saho, whom we had sent to scout Antonio’s hideout, returned safely. The first thing I asked was whether any guards were watching Kwak Cheolhun.

The cat shook his head. After asking him a few more questions, I managed to determine that all the thugs had gathered in the living room.

“Hmm, is that so?”

“Director, could there be something extremely valuable stored on the first floor?”

My thoughts were completely in line with Chief Secretary Kang Inhan’s guess. Otherwise, why would all the guards crowd together in the mansion’s living room?

“We’ll find out what they’re guarding so carefully as soon as we seize the mansion.”

“That must be it.”

“Saho, can you knock out all the guards gathered in the living room?”

The cat nodded confidently. As thanks, I stroked his fur again and continued giving instructions.

“We’re changing the plan. As soon as Saho cuts power to the building...”

I carefully assigned roles to each of the team leaders and Agent Hong Jongsu.

“...We also need to account for the possibility that the FIS operatives might try to force their way into the mansion.”

“Just in case, should we move Kwak Cheolhun and the foreigner somewhere else?”

“I think that would be the wisest course.”

Bzzz!

At that moment, the phone in my hand vibrated. Looking at the screen, I saw that Director Jean-Philippe was calling.

“I’m listening, Director Jean-Philippe.”

“[Director Cha, I’ve arrived near Antonio’s hideout. Where are you?]”

“...What? You came personally?”

“[Antonio is a dangerous criminal wanted internationally by Interpol. If I didn’t personally attend his arrest, I would be neglecting my duty.]”

“Well, I understand. We’re waiting in a vacant lot about a hundred meters from his hideout, toward central Interlaken.”

“[Ah, I see you. Please wait a moment.]”

***

After getting out of the car, Director Jean-Philippe couldn’t help feeling somewhat bewildered.

Cha Jiham, who had come to greet him, looked much younger than he had imagined. Still, saying something like that at their first meeting would be inappropriate.

“Are you Director Cha Jiham? It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Likewise. Allow me to introduce my companions. This is...”

After completing the brief introductions, we climbed into the van to get down to business.

“Director Jean-Philippe, the situation changed slightly before you arrived.”

“I’m listening.”

“Antonio took seven guards with him and headed to Lucerne. Branch Chief Harrison is following closely behind to carry out the arrest.”

“Do you think he has abandoned his base for good?”

An intelligence officer had to consider the worst-case scenario.

“There is that possibility, but I consider it unlikely.”

“And what are you basing that conclusion on?”

“Right now, heavily armed guards are still stationed at the main gate of his hideout. If he had abandoned the base, he would have taken them with him.”

“That sounds quite convincing. Now I’d like to hear your plan for neutralizing the gang.”

“To enter their hideout, we first need to neutralize the sentries at the main gate.”

“Do you intend to kill them?”

“The answer lies in my request for tranquilizer rifles.”

Director Jean-Philippe inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. Antonio was undoubtedly a hardened repeat offender wanted by Interpol. However, there was no way to claim that absolutely every one of his subordinates was a ruthless killer. If they indiscriminately killed them all, serious legal consequences could arise later. Apparently, Cha Jiham had considered those risks as well and decided simply to put them to sleep.

“An excellent decision.”

“Thank you. Continuing on, after we deal with the sentries...”

I explained the plan for neutralizing Antonio’s men to Director Jean-Philippe in detail. Because we had to conceal Saho’s existence, parts of the plan sounded slightly contrived, but there was no helping it. Naturally, whenever my explanation became shaky, Team Leader Lee Hyeonsol and the others quickly stepped in to fill the gaps.

“...By proceeding this way, we’ll be able to completely neutralize the group.”

“What if we conduct reconnaissance of Antonio’s hideout before beginning the operation?”

Since Saho’s involvement was being kept secret, I couldn’t mention that we had already conducted reconnaissance inside the mansion. Director Jean-Philippe’s question was therefore perfectly reasonable. It was frustrating that I couldn’t tell him the truth.

“The CIA used a reconnaissance satellite to take overhead images of Antonio’s property.”

“Perhaps we should send operatives onto the grounds?”

“Surveillance cameras are densely installed along the fence, so there’s a high risk of exposure.”

“Isn’t there a possibility that the guards will manage to inform Antonio about the attack?”

“That’s exactly why we intend to use communications jammers.”

“Ah, I see.”

Deciding that the question-and-answer session had dragged on long enough, I changed the subject.

“Director Jean-Philippe, the operation to neutralize Antonio’s men is scheduled to begin in thirty minutes. Shouldn’t we issue our people their weapons and protective equipment?”

“Ah, forgive my oversight!”

After apologizing, Director Jean-Philippe immediately gave an order to the FIS operative waiting nearby. The operative led Team Leader Lee Hyeonsol and the others out of the van. Now only Director Jean-Philippe, Chief Secretary Kang Inhan, and I remained inside.

Realizing that the time had come, I decided to raise a delicate subject.

“Director Jean-Philippe, let’s suppose we find the money Gabriel hid in Switzerland. How do you think we should handle it?”

“I’d like to hear your opinion first, Director Cha.”

“Perhaps it would be better to tell you Director Griffin’s position.”

In truth, I had been the first to suggest seizing Gabriel’s hidden money. Nevertheless, I gave the credit to Director Griffin, since his political clout was incomparably greater than mine.

“Go on, then.”

“The CIA and we were the ones who first obtained information about Antonio’s illegal entry into Switzerland. We and the Americans are also responsible for capturing the criminals. Taking that into account, Director Griffin proposed splitting the money as follows: forty-five percent to us, forty-five percent to the CIA, and ten percent to the FIS.”

“Ten percent? Isn’t that too little?”

As expected, Director Jean-Philippe immediately voiced his strong objection. However, I already had a trump card ready to quell his dissatisfaction, so I wasn’t worried in the slightest.

“According to Director Griffin, Gabriel made around two hundred billion dollars from selling drugs. He hid approximately twenty-five percent of that amount in Switzerland.”

“Twenty-five percent... You mean fifty billion dollars?”

“Exactly. Director Griffin pointed out that the FIS merely provided the jammers, weapons, and body armor, and that five billion dollars is more than enough to cover the equipment rental fee.”

“Please tell Director Griffin that I’m deeply disappointed by his attitude.”

Director Jean-Philippe continued expressing his dissatisfaction. To calm him down, I decided to put Plan B into action.

“Director Jean-Philippe, Antonio took control of the drug cartel after Gabriel. There’s a high probability that, like his predecessor, he hid some of his proceeds in Switzerland.”

“Quite likely.”

“We’re prepared to give the FIS twenty percent of the money Antonio hid.”

“But wouldn’t Director Griffin object?”

“Director Griffin only proposed dividing Gabriel’s assets. Antonio’s money was never mentioned.”

“Hmm...”

Director Jean-Philippe hesitated and thoughtfully stroked his chin. I knew perfectly well what he was thinking. He wanted to take Antonio’s secret funds, conceal them from the CIA, and split them exclusively with me. Naturally, I had different plans.

After a while, he finally made up his mind and spoke.

“What if we exclude the CIA and split everything fifty-fifty? Fifty percent for you and fifty percent for us?”

“Branch Chief Harrison will be present during Antonio’s interrogation, so I can’t accept that proposal.”

“Then let’s simply exclude him!”

“CIA forces will be the ones arresting Antonio.”

“Hmm... You’re right.”

“May I take that to mean you agree to my terms?”

“Do I have a choice?”

Director Jean-Philippe replied rather sourly. Seeing that he still couldn’t let go of his greedy dreams, I decided to throw him another bone.

“What if we give you twenty-five percent?”

“I certainly wouldn’t object, but will Director Griffin, whose legendary greed knows no bounds, agree?”

Director Jean-Philippe’s question carried an unmistakable demand: call Griffin immediately and get his approval.

There was nothing else to do, so I dialed the CIA Director.

He answered instantly, as though he had been waiting for my call.

“[I was just about to call you myself, Director Cha. Perfect timing.]”

“I’ll hear what you wanted to say first.”

“[I just received a report from Branch Chief Harrison. Antonio is meeting the boss of a France-based gang at a villa in Lucerne. But there’s a problem—there are too many bastards there.]”

At that very moment, a brilliant idea flashed through my mind. Quickly putting a plan together, I continued my conversation with Director Griffin.

“What if we bring the Swiss FIS into the operation?”

“[I was thinking the same thing.]”

“Excellent. I happen to be with Director Jean-Philippe right now.”

“[Is that so? Ask him what he thinks.]”

Covering the phone’s speaker with my hand, I relayed Griffin’s proposal. Director Jean-Philippe winked and nodded.

“Director Griffin, he agrees.”

“[Please convey my thanks to Director Jean-Philippe.]”

“Of course. Perhaps we should adjust the start time of our operation according to the situation?”

After exchanging a few more words with Director Griffin, I ended the call.

“Director Jean-Philippe, why don’t you take the FIS operatives and personally head to Lucerne?”

“You want me to go too?”

“If you want your twenty-five percent of Antonio’s hidden money, you should make sure your face is seen at the operation.”

“Ah, damn it, you’re right!”

Cursing himself for being slow on the uptake, Director Jean-Philippe leaped out of the van and rushed toward his men.