American Tax Officer

Although Lewis had told him that Bucky and his group could be dispatched at any time,

he still didn't want to owe anyone favors.

This Koffdale was required to pay a tax of $310,000; giving $20,000 to Bucky's three teams left him with a profit of $260,000, which was quite acceptable.

Bucky and the others were taken aback before quickly asking, "Is that guy your target?"

David nodded slightly.

Then Bucky said, "Since you've found him, that's great. But never mind, we don't need the $20,000 reward. We didn't really do much anyways."

It wasn't that they didn't want the $20,000.

On the contrary, they were very eager for it.

After all, they had only spent one night on the job and were about to earn $20,000 almost effortlessly—who wouldn't be over the moon?

But as Bucky said, they hadn't really done much and didn't quite feel right about taking it.

Plus, there was the matter that Lewis had relayed.

"No worries, it's settled then!"

With that, David didn't give them a chance to say more, turning and walking over to Koffdale and followed him back to where they were staying.

A few minutes later.

Koffdale led David Nisen to Room 501, Building 5; he took out the keys and opened the door, and a somewhat pungent smell hit their noses, making both of them frown.

Looking inside, the scene was a bit messy, with leftover boxes of pizza and KFC on the table, and several computers still running.

"Sorry, it's a bit messy inside... let me clean it up!"

Koffdale immediately went inside, threw the takeout boxes and other items into the trash and then turned to the two men and asked, "What would you inspectors like to drink?"

"No need for drinks, let's cut to the chase. The thing is, on the 3rd of last month, our Congress passed a law..."

Koffdale listened attentively, but soon a look of horror gradually spread across his face; finally, he sat down at the computer, beginning a series of operations.

About five minutes later, he stopped, but by then, his expression had turned grave.

He had checked, and what David had said was indeed correct.

On the 3rd of the previous month, the America Congress had indeed passed a black tax law.

In this law, it was stipulated that the National Tax Agency had the authority to collect taxes on any unlawful profits generated by criminals.

That meant...

His hacker identity had been discovered by people from the National Tax Agency?

And that's what led them to him?

But how could that be!

He was very confident in his own skills; even the many experts from the CIA hadn't been able to track him down, so how could the National Tax Agency find him so easily?

Confused, Koffdale decided to probe first and then splayed his hands innocently, saying, "I've checked. Congress did pass that law last month, but I don't understand—what does this have to do with me?"

"Really, then what are all these computers for?"

The reply did not take David by surprise, as every criminal he had found harbored a hope for luck, which was normal.

Koffdale continued to feign innocence, saying, "Inspector, I have many requirements for computers. This one, I use to watch shows, this one, for playing games, and this one... is for listening to music. That's not a problem, right?"

David shook his head and replied, "No, these are all used for hacking into other people's systems and data. You are a hacker!"

A flicker of panic flashed in Koffdale's eyes, but he quickly concealed it and retorted, "Hacker? Inspector, don't think you can slander a lawful citizen just because your National Tax Agency has a lot of power!"

David smiled and said calmly, "On the 12th of last month, didn't you get hired to hack into Priston Casino's system, and that order earned you $100,000, right?"

Koffdale's expression changed drastically.

But before he could make any excuses, David continued, "And on the 19th of last month, you took another $200,000 to hack into Nurenka Internet Company; remember that?"

After being confronted with two transactions in a row, Koffdale was flustered, but he hadn't completely lost his poise and bit back, "I don't know what you're talking about. Do you have evidence?"

He still trusted in his skills and believed that David might just be bluffing him.

As long as he steadfastly denied it, without evidence, the National Tax Agency probably couldn't do much to him.

David shook his head, looking at him with pity, and replied, "Do you think we would come to you, knowing what you've done, without evidence?"

"Evidence? Then show it!"

"Why bother with that? If I wanted to inform the CIA of your whereabouts, they would be very interested!"

If Koffdale was only in disarray before, the mention of the CIA chilled him to the core, his body involuntarily trembling.

But he still managed a shaky defense, "What CIA, I… I don't know what you're talking about!"

"Didn't you take $300,000 from a spy from Bear Country on the 26th of last month to hack into the CIA Bear Country Station's database? You have no principles or bottom lines; don't you know this is treason?"

Hearing David reveal this information, Nisen too was taken aback.

It was one thing to hack casinos and internet companies, but he certainly did not expect this man to be bold enough to hack into CIA databases!

"I... I didn't, stop slandering me!"

Seeing that the man was still adamant, David continued, "Have you heard of waterboarding?"

At these words, fear was evident in Koffdale's eyes—he obviously knew what it was.

"Waterboarding, that's a CIA specialty!"

"They tie you up with your feet higher than your head, cover your face with a cloth, then pour water over it!"

"The water continuously fills your mouth, nose, and lungs, and the cloth prevents you from spitting it out, so you can only take one breath. Even if you hold your breath, you feel the air being sucked away, like a vacuum cleaner."

"The water in your stomach, lung lobes, trachea, and bronchi will make you vomit and cough. At that point, the water in your stomach, lung lobes, trachea, and bronchi will be extremely unbearable. Your hands will flail, your legs will kick uncontrollably, accompanied by desperate groans, and endure excruciating pain."

"Over the years, how many terrorists and spies have been unable to withstand this kind of torture; are you sure you want to give it a try?"