Landlord in the Arctic

Chapter 421: Chapter 307: Turning Point (Part 2)

Gang retaliation is extremely brutal and can include assault or even murder.

This threat doesn’t just target the informant but extends to their family and friends.

Therefore, for their own safety and the safety of their loved ones, members strictly adhere to this rule.

As for the consequences of breaking this rule, the most common punishment is violent retribution.

The gang will dispatch special "enforcers"—usually its most vicious and trusted members—to brutally punish the informant.

This violence can range from public beatings and armed assaults to outright murder, with the body left in the street as a warning to other members not to make the same mistake.

Beyond violent retribution, rule-breakers also face social ostracism.

In gang culture, being ostracized means losing all status and support within the community.

Other members will sever all ties with the informant, including social and financial interactions.

The informant and their family may be isolated by the entire community, cut off from any benefits of the gang’s economic activities.

This social exclusion drives the informant into economic and social desperation, further reinforcing the deterrent power of the "never talk to the cops" rule.

Of course, the police also have special strategies for dealing with informants.

One is the witness protection program, which provides a new identity and security for gang members willing to cooperate.

They also strengthen community cooperation, encouraging residents to provide anonymous tips to bypass the gang’s "no snitching" rule and help combat criminal activity.

And that was precisely the current situation.

Although the members of the Zorro Gang had all been captured by the Indians, Feng Mountain had previously promised not to send them to a reservation.

So, as Valerie tried to identify them, the gang members all chose to remain silent, one after another.

They just kept their heads down, none of them willing to step forward and say a single word.

As long as they weren’t being sent to the reservation, they didn’t want to get involved in anything else for the time being.

Ronnie had been dealing with gang members for over twenty years.

When you became a Sheriff in Texas, the first thing you learned wasn’t how to protect the residents, but how to deal with the gangs.

He’d seen too many idealistic sheriffs, fresh in their posts, who thought they could single-handedly fight crime and protect the public.

But in the end, they often not only failed to protect the residents but couldn’t even protect themselves, meeting a miserable fate and ending up as a pile of unclaimed bones in the desert.

As for what Valerie was saying, Ronnie was one hundred percent certain it was true.

After all, with his years of experience, he could tell what was what just by listening.

But the problem was, no one would step up to testify.

Even if everyone knew it was the truth, it didn’t matter as long as no one was willing to talk.

No matter how true the accusations were, they were useless.

However, this kidnapping accusation from the Sheriff from Alaska, Feng Mountain, was a much more serious matter.

For one, the man was a Sheriff himself. With that official status, his words naturally carried weight.

For another, this Feng Mountain had arrived in Baird Town on a private jet.

’And what does a private jet represent?’

’Wealth.’

’In the magical land of the United States, if you had money, you could have almost anything you wanted. You could even run for president.’

’Take the current President Trump, for example. He’s on the list of global billionaires. And even though his position is a little precarious at the moment, wasn’t it his immense wealth that allowed him to enter the presidential race and actually win?’

’It just went to show how much influence money had in the United States.’

So when someone like Feng Mountain—who had both official status and a powerful financial background—spoke, Ronnie knew he had to weigh his words carefully and proceed with caution.

After all, this matter could blow up or blow over. If he handled it poorly, it could bring him a world of trouble.

"Pal, can you prove that Bao Wen tried to kidnap you?" Sheriff Ronnie asked, frowning as he gave Feng Mountain a scrutinizing look.

"Of course. All these fine gentlemen saw it. I’m sure they’d be willing to become state’s witnesses," Feng Mountain said with a smile, gesturing to the bound gang members. He then calmly took a phone from his pocket, started a video, and handed it to Sheriff Ronnie.

Ronnie took the phone.

Sheriff Ronnie heard Bao Wen’s arrogant, wild voice coming from the video.

"What’s five million? That’s small potatoes. I know you can give me more. Once I get you across the border into Mexico, not even the FBI can touch me. You’ll just have to do whatever I say, hahaha..."

Bao Wen heard the video playing, and all the air went out of him. He was filled with despair.

’In truth, he had never planned on kidnapping Feng Mountain from the start.’

’He had only been thinking of extorting some money from him.’

’If he had really wanted to kidnap him, the plan wouldn’t have been so half-assed.’

’But who could blame him when Feng Mountain had been playing the part of a weakling from the moment they met?’

’That harmless act had stoked his greed, bit by bit.’

’He let greed slowly eat away at his reason, causing him to change his mind on the spot.’

’He’d thought he might as well just kidnap Feng Mountain and take him to Mexico; that way he could squeeze even more money out of him.’

’He never imagined it was all a setup.’

After watching the entire video, Sheriff Ronnie couldn’t help but look at Bao Wen with pity.

’Poor bastard. He’d been played like a puppet from the very beginning.’

’But the evidence was ironclad. Even if I wanted to help, there was no way. Besides, the other guy is a rich and powerful Sheriff.’

At this thought, Sheriff Ronnie felt a headache coming on.

’With Bao Wen gone, a lot of things in Baird Town were going to get complicated.’

’I’ll have to find a new ’Black Gloves’ to take his place.’

After quickly weighing the pros and cons, Sheriff Ronnie knew he had no choice but to abandon Bao Wen.

He turned and strode quickly toward his Pickup Truck.

He opened the door and retrieved a pair of handcuffs.

He grabbed Bao Wen’s arm and twisted it hard, making Bao Wen cry out in pain.

Then, he forced Bao Wen down onto the gravel, pressing his face hard against the rough ground.

With a grim expression, Sheriff Ronnie began to loudly recite the Miranda warning in an authoritative tone.

"Bowen Dietrich Evans, you are under arrest for suspicion of kidnapping. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be presented as evidence in court. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, the court will appoint one for you."

"I am now placing you under arrest. You’d best cooperate and not resist while I escort you to the station."

"Ronnie, you can’t do this! We..." Bao Wen wasn’t about to submit so easily. He struggled to protest, his face still pressed into the gravel as he yelled, his voice laced with desperation.

THWACK!

Seeing Bao Wen still struggling, Sheriff Ronnie’s temper flared, and he drove his fist hard into Bao Wen’s temple.

It was a heavy blow. Bao Wen saw stars, his ears rang, and he felt completely dazed.

Sheriff Ronnie then leaned down, getting close to Bao Wen’s ear, and warned in a low voice.

"Shut up, you idiot. If you don’t want your family dragged into this, then shut your mouth from now on. For your family!"

A cold sweat broke out over Bao Wen. He immediately clamped his mouth shut, not daring to make another peep as he lay obediently on the ground.

"Get up, you bastard." Sheriff Ronnie hauled Bao Wen up by the arm, dragged him over to the caged rear of the Pickup Truck, shoved him in roughly, and slammed the door shut.

He then straightened his uniform, his face instantly switching to an amicable smile as he walked back toward Feng Mountain.

Arriving in front of Feng Mountain, he gave a slight bow and said with a smile.

"Pal, this happened in Baird Town, and as the Sheriff in charge, I am terribly sorry. Truly, I am. I hope you weren’t hurt."

.....