Chapter 245: How to Bell the Cat

After finishing our interrogation of Director Antonio and Director Jourdain, we went upstairs to the living room and resumed our unfinished conversation.

“I never imagined Director Antonio had made that much money,” Director Jean-Philippe remarked.

“I completely agree with you, Director Jean-Philippe,” I said.

Antonio had confessed that he had made 100 billion dollars from selling drugs.

A check of the data on his laptop confirmed that he was telling the truth.

That was why I wholeheartedly agreed with Director Jean-Philippe’s assessment.

Branch Director Harrison, however, seemed to see things differently.

“Director Jean-Philippe, I think 100 billion dollars is actually quite a reasonable amount.”

“May I ask why you think so?”

“Gabriel was arrested five years ago, and Director Antonio took over the Colombian drug network. His organization supplies more than 50 billion dollars’ worth of drugs to the global market every year. That means his net profit was around 20 billion dollars annually.”

“Are you saying the profit margin on drug sales exceeds 40%?” Director Jean-Philippe asked with a puzzled expression.

“The cost of producing drugs in Colombia is extremely low. According to FBI investigations, the profit margin is at least 70%.”

“Hmm, they certainly found a clever way to line their pockets. Then where did the remaining 30% go?”

“Director Antonio handed it out as bribes to high-ranking Colombian officials, police officers, and military personnel.”

“Corrupt public servants openly taking bribes from a cartel... The country is rotten to the core.”

“I can’t deny that.”

“Then why don’t we take this opportunity to completely wipe out his drug network?”

“He controls the northern regions of Colombia, and his organization numbers in the tens of thousands. To dismantle a structure of that size, we’d have to mobilize the Colombian military. But as I already mentioned, he generously pays off the entire military command.”

At that moment, Branch Director Harrison’s gaze fell on Cha Jiham, who had tilted his head doubtfully.

Suspecting that he had some thoughts on the matter, Harrison addressed him.

“Director Cha, it seems you have a different opinion?”

I had deliberately tilted my head noticeably, hoping someone would ask me about it.

Fortunately, Branch Director Harrison, who had been watching me, spoke up.

After organizing the idea that had occurred to me once more in my head, I answered his question.

“I only half agree with what you said, Branch Director Harrison.”

“I’d like to hear exactly what you disagree with.”

“It’s true that we won’t be able to completely destroy Director Antonio’s drug organization. However, we can drastically reduce the volume of its shipments.”

“And how would we do that?”

“Director Antonio’s laptop contained information on the upper ranks of his organization.”

Branch Director Harrison immediately understood Cha Jiham’s train of thought.

He was proposing that they simply eliminate the upper echelon of Antonio’s syndicate.

If that happened, the drug network would inevitably descend into chaos.

Until new leadership emerged, they would be unable to properly distribute drugs around the world.

Even so, there was still one concern.

“Director Cha, who are you going to ask to bell the cat?”

“The FBI is responsible for combating the distribution of drugs within the United States.”

In other words, the task of eliminating the drug cartel’s leadership would fall to the FBI.

“Are you sure the FBI will agree?”

“I’ll take care of that.”

Every trace of Branch Director Harrison’s concern vanished.

Cha Jiham was influential enough that even President Douglas had to take him seriously.

If he pressured Director Nevers through President Douglas, Nevers would have no choice but to carry out the task.

“I understand what you mean.”

“To persuade Director Nevers, I’ll need some materials.”

“Tell me what you need.”

“I need the information on the leadership from Director Antonio’s laptop. I also need information on the gangs supplied with drugs by his organization and Director Jourdain’s organization.”

“One moment, please.”

Branch Director Harrison sent the requested data to me through his laptop.

I immediately forwarded the materials to Director Nevers.

Bzzzz—

A short while later, the phone in my hand vibrated.

Knowing who was calling, I immediately answered.

“Yes, Director Nevers.”

[Director Cha, can you explain what those materials you just sent me are?]

“Director Nevers, you know that we captured Director Antonio and Director Jourdain, correct?”

[Of course.]

“To obtain information from them, I offered them a plea bargain.”

I explained the details of our agreement with Antonio and Jourdain to Director Nevers.

“...And I just emailed you the information we obtained from them.”

[I understand. How soon do you need the materials verified?]

“Verifying the information will require Antonio and Jourdain’s direct cooperation.”

[Naturally. When are you planning to hand them over to our country?]

“As soon as we finish our business here, we’ll send them over immediately. Now, there’s something else I’d like to discuss.”

[Something else?]

“The materials I sent you contain a list of the leadership of Antonio’s drug network. They need to be eliminated as quickly as possible.”

[Why the rush?]

Director Nevers’s question clearly revealed his reluctance to take this on.

To push him into action, I decided to resort to shock therapy.

“I’m deeply disappointed in you, Director Nevers.”

[Why would you suddenly say something like that?]

“Director Antonio, the head of the world’s largest drug syndicate, was captured by us, the CIA, and the FIS. On top of that, by interrogating him and Director Jourdain, we obtained an enormous amount of information. But you, Director Nevers, seem intent on kicking away a fully set table that’s been placed right in front of you.”

After deliberately pausing for a moment, I continued.

“I don’t think President Douglas will be pleased when he receives a report about that.”

[......]

Stunned by my words, Director Nevers was left speechless.

All I had to do was wait for him to resume the conversation himself.

After a while, his subdued voice came through the phone.

[Director Cha, I was shortsighted.]

“My apologies. I had no intention of hurting your feelings, Director Nevers.”

[I understand.]

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

The moment I did, Director Jean-Philippe gave me a thumbs-up.

“I sincerely envy you, Director Cha.”

“...What?”

“You just brought the formidable FBI Director, a man who fears no one in the world, to his knees.”

“......”

“Ha ha. I’m joking. Still, I’m curious. Why didn’t you tell Director Nevers that we confiscated the money Antonio and Jourdain earned from selling drugs?”

Sensing that the atmosphere had become tense, Director Jean-Philippe tried to change the subject.

“I don’t like other people sticking their spoons into my bowl.”

In other words, I had deliberately avoided mentioning it because I thought Director Nevers might try to claim a share of the money confiscated from those two.

“Won’t Director Nevers be offended?”

“The CIA and FIS suffered significant casualties while capturing them. The FBI, on the other hand, contributed absolutely nothing.”

“Ah, now I understand your reasoning.”

At that moment, Branch Director Harrison joined the conversation, as though a question that had been bothering him for some time had finally become impossible to ignore.

“Director Cha, when should we transfer Antonio and Jourdain to the United States?”

“Director Nevers is pretty agitated right now. Considering that, it would be best to send them as soon as possible.”

Branch Director Harrison did not fully understand Cha Jiham’s plan.

Tonight, we were supposed to wipe out Manuel’s gang, which was based in Zurich.

Director Antonio’s presence seemed necessary for that operation.

In a cautious tone, he asked Cha Jiham what he thought about that.

“I’m not planning to lure Manuel’s gang here and eliminate them at the mansion.”

“What do you mean?”

“Antonio’s men who were standing guard at the main gate have been arrested. That means someone would have to take their places, but we don’t have anyone suitable.”

“Couldn’t our agents and the FIS officers stand guard?”

“The skin color and builds of the CIA and FIS personnel are noticeably different from Antonio’s men.”

“But it’ll be the dead of night. Would Manuel’s gang really notice?”

I realized that Branch Director Harrison’s understanding needed to be corrected.

“Director Antonio arranged to meet Manuel’s gang at nine in the evening. But sunset in Interlaken is around nine-thirty.”

“Hmm, I hadn’t thought about that particular detail.”

“It’s fine. Besides, Antonio’s arm is broken. It wouldn’t be a good idea to let Manuel’s men see him.”

“Ah, right.”

Branch Director Harrison nodded in understanding, finally grasping my plan.

At the same time, Director Jean-Philippe joined the conversation.

“Director Cha, then what would be the best way to wipe out Manuel’s gang?”

“All we have to do is block the road.”

Director Jean-Philippe instantly understood Cha Jiham’s plan.

To buy drugs from Director Antonio, Manuel’s gang would have to travel here from Zurich.

And to do so, they would have to pass through several mountain roads with no escape routes.

Therefore, if the road was blocked and Manuel’s gang was eliminated there, they could avoid any casualties.

However, there was still one detail that bothered him.

“Director Cha, if we block the road, ordinary drivers will start filing complaints.”

“We know where Manuel’s gang is based.”

“You’re suggesting we put them under surveillance?”

“Exactly, Director Jean-Philippe.”

“Ha ha. Understood. Excuse me, but I’m in a hurry, so I should probably get going.”

“Wait a moment.”

I stopped Director Jean-Philippe just as he was about to rise from the sofa.

“Is there something else you need from me?”

“We still need to distribute the funds confiscated from Antonio and Jourdain.”

“Didn’t you say we would divide them tomorrow morning?”

“If we do that, the FIS will end up losing out. Are you okay with that?”

“Losing out?”

“Originally, I planned to lure Manuel’s gang here and wipe them out at the mansion. But because of the circumstances, we’ve changed the plan and will ambush them on the road instead. I believe the FIS alone will be more than enough to eliminate those bastards.”

Only then did Director Jean-Philippe fully understand Cha Jiham’s true intentions.

He had changed the plan so that the spoils confiscated from Manuel’s gang would go to the Swiss side.

“Director Cha, I sincerely appreciate your consideration for our country.”

“There’s no need to thank me.”

“Still, what ratio are you planning to use when dividing the money confiscated from Antonio and Jourdain?”

Originally, I had promised Director Jean-Philippe 25% of the funds Antonio had hidden.

However, while neutralizing Antonio’s subordinates and Jourdain’s men, agents from both the CIA and FIS had been wounded and killed.

Knowing that, I couldn’t simply pretend nothing had happened and blindly stick to the original figure.

“How about 40% for our side, and 30% each for the United States and Switzerland?”

“Not 25%?”

“Use that extra 5% as compensation for the FIS personnel who were harmed.”

“I’m deeply grateful for your generosity, Director Cha.”

Director Jean-Philippe’s voice carried genuine gratitude.

“Don’t mention it. What do you think, Branch Director Harrison?”

“I’m not sure why, but I can’t shake the feeling that we’re getting the short end of the stick.”

Naturally, I had an excellent move in reserve that could eliminate any dissatisfaction Branch Director Harrison might have.

“The CIA has all the information on the gangs Antonio and Jourdain supplied drugs to. If you wipe out those organizations together with the FBI, you’ll be able to seize an enormous amount of spoils.”

“Ah...”

Branch Director Harrison trailed off as he realized what I was getting at.