Legendary FBI Detective-Chapter 362: Bargaining, Luo An Counter-Traps

In a certain hotel in Washington, buffet restaurant.

Seeing Essen Patel in front of him, Luo An picked up the wine glass, took a sip, and his mind started racing.

There were mainly two reasons for the establishment of the Special Investigation Team:

First, the cyberworld of the federal network was rapidly developing, but FBI's case handling methods were still somewhat outdated. The newly established Special Investigation Team needed to innovate on the traditional case handling methods and models of the FBI, serving as pioneers in trailblazing.

Second, the FBI often needed to collaborate with other federal law enforcement departments in case handling, but lack of cooperation from them could cause many problems. The Special Investigation Team needed to explore a new model for efficient collaboration with other law enforcement departments.

To use the term from across the ocean, these ten Special Investigation Teams were essentially "pilot projects" launched by the FBI Washington Headquarters.

And because these were pilot projects, the Washington Headquarters granted extensive authority to these ten Special Investigation Teams, which gave their controllers much more power than before.

In the past, Augustus took care of the management work when working in Investigation Team Five, and having been in the leadership for too short a time, with not enough experience to fully understand the twists and turns within, Luo An didn't have a very clear understanding of the extra authority given to the Special Investigation Teams.

But it was different for people like Essen Patel, who were already leaders of frontline investigation teams before becoming Special Investigation Team leaders.

After becoming the leaders of Special Investigation Teams, they immediately figured out how to "appropriately utilize" the powers and authority given to them by the FBI Washington Headquarters.

Once the seeds of power are sown, attempting to take them back will certainly encounter resistance.

That's what Essen Patel and his colleagues thought, so the Special Investigation Teams must not be disbanded.

If they were to be disbanded, it could not be now... at least they should wait until after their promotions.

"The reason you're bringing this up to me is..."

Luo An's mind raced, considering the reasons why Essen Patel might be discussing this issue with him, while his face showed a shocked expression, abruptly setting down the wine glass:

"Group Leader Patel, where did you hear this news? That's impossible! How long has our Special Investigation Team been established?"

"These things are always uncertain."

Essen Patel did not reveal where he got the information, and with regard to Luo An's point about the short establishment period of the Special Investigation Team, he scoffed:

"Those people at Congress Hill, they vote in favor in the morning and by afternoon they announce the decision is void. Is that something new?"

"Uh…"

Luo An didn't know how to answer, Essen Patel's example about Congress left him truly without any rebuttal.

The frequent changes of decisions over there were too many; it was basic practice for the members to flip-flop, like the time a certain congressman flip-flopped three times within half a day on the decision of whether to elect or not to elect the Speaker of the House; it was utterly baffling to the voters. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

"Deputy Group Leader Greenwood, I have heard about your feats in Los Angeles and they are very admirable; quite impressive."

Seeing Luo An silent, Essen Patel picked up the wine bottle to pour wine for both of their glasses, and said:

"I believe you will definitely be able to officially take your post this time, and become the leader of the FBI Los Angeles Branch Special Investigation Team."

"Thank you."

Luo An showed a smile, picked up the wine glass, and tapped it against the other's, saying with a laugh:

"What do you mean, Group Leader Patel?"

"If the Special Investigation Team is disbanded, then wouldn't all the hard work you've put in recently be in vain?"

Essen Patel put down his wine glass, looked Luo An in the eye, and said in a somber tone:

"Group Leader Philip from Houston, Group Leader Wilson from Philadelphia and several other investigation team leaders, I've already talked with them. The Special Investigation Teams are of great significance to the FBI; they absolutely cannot be casually disbanded.

With your performance during this period, the Washington Headquarters will definitely value your opinion. As long as you convey the importance of the Special Investigation Teams to them, coupled with our support, I believe the Washington Headquarters will abandon the idea of disbanding the Special Investigation Teams."

After listening to Essen Patel's words, Luo An kept a mocking sneer in his heart, but his face quickly turned serious as he raised his wine glass and said solemnly:

"Group Leader Patel, I didn't expect you to have done so much for our Special Investigation Team! That is truly hard work on your part."

Essen Patel picked up his wine glass again, smiling:

"It's for the good of everyone, it's what should be done."

Ding—

Their glasses clinked, they both took a sip, set down their glasses, and Luo An nodded:

"No problem, Group Leader Patel, I will definitely express my opinions to the Washington Headquarters tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Essen Patel's mouth curled with a smirk, just as he was about to speak, Luo An immediately followed up with a question:

"What are the terms for me?"

"..."

Essen Patel was momentarily stunned, but then his expression returned to normal and he asked with a smile:

"What do you mean by terms?"

Luo An pushed his wine glass aside and laughed:

"I'm the first one to express opinions to the Washington Headquarters, If you don't offer me some benefits, how can you be at ease?"

"…Makes sense."

Essen Patel's thoughts stirred, just as he was about to reply, Luo An added:

"I don't want those that take too long; preferably something I can have by tomorrow."

"…"

"…"

As the sound fell, Essen Patel suddenly became silent, quietly gazing at Luo An, who did not avoid his gaze and looked back with a smile still plastered on his face.

The air at the dinner table remained quiet for a while until Essen Patel finally put away his smile, coldly glanced at Luo An, and then stood up, leaving the place without saying a word.

"How rude."

Watching the back of Essen Patel as he quickly walked away, Luo An scoffed disdainfully and got up to grab a steak that was just prepared.

Essen Patel's words just now clearly intended to use Luo An as a pawn, to face the anger from the Washington Headquarters.

Luo An was no fool; he could obviously see through this, so he smoothly requested benefits.

In truth, he never intended to offer any opinions to the Washington Headquarters; he just planned to take advantage of Essen Patel.

Because Luo An's current goal was only to become a permanent member, the dissolution of the Special Investigation Team did not affect him too much; as long as he succeeded in becoming permanent, he would still lead a team, regardless of circumstances.

Moreover, Luo An disdained trying to obtain benefits through these roundabout methods; he made more money solving cases.

From the beginning, Essen Patel appeared willing to grant Luo An benefits, but as soon as Luo An mentioned not wanting anything that took too long, it became evident that what Essen Patel intended to offer was mere lip service.

Thus, when Luo An stated his additional condition, Essen Patel could guess that Luo An had seen through his intentions.

Realizing that he was almost counter-swinded and his plans had failed, naturally making him lose face, Essen Patel promptly turned and left.

"Thinking of selling others out for money, while not wanting to lift a finger, and even expecting the sold party to be grateful…"

After finishing the new steak, Luo An drained the wine from his glass and snorted disdainfully at the spot where Essen Patel had just been sitting:

"This guy can't possibly be Jewish, can he?"

Luo An silently added Essen Patel to his mental blacklist, the not-so-cunning Luo An planning to see if he could "help out" Essen Patel in the coming days.

After eating his fill, Luo An left the dining area and returned to the suite, only to discover that Mona was awake and fiddling with the computer.

Hearing his arrival, Mona looked up and asked:

"Where did you go?"

"To have a late-night snack and to chat with a stingy guy."

Luo An smiled as he replied, then sat down beside Mona, and asked:

"Why are you up?"

"Reesi and Michelle gave me a call just now."

Mona covered her mouth with a yawn and then pointed at the computer screen:

"They've run into a big problem."