A Bumpy Road to Power

Chapter 494 - 494

Carly Lambert said, "I took a look at a part of Geraldine's interrogation record. She mentioned that during her first two times in that room, she didn't see a fruit knife, only saw it today. I've asked around; there are apparently no fruits in that room."

She wanted to tell Dirk Carter that someone had deliberately placed the fruit knife there.

The truth of the matter is still unknown, but the subsequent developments of this case are bound to be very complex.

It goes without saying that Robert Shepherd should be feeling the heat right now.

Half an hour later.

The primary car of the city committee slowly drove into the yard.

Jeff Hughes got out of the car.

Hurriedly walked into the building.

A few minutes later, all the members of the committee and the heads of relevant departments received phone calls about a meeting.

Seven o'clock in the morning.

The first meeting regarding the murder of Cornell Morgan was convened.

Inside the meeting room.

Almost everyone was whispering.

From the present committee members to other department heads sitting in the corners.

Only Robert Shepherd remained silent, his face tense.

After all, he didn't expect the situation to turn out like this.

"Secretary Hughes is here."

Someone shouted.

At the entrance, Jeff Hughes took long strides to enter, murmured "meeting" softly, and the whole room instantly quieted down.

He let out a long breath.

He said, "Irving, please introduce the situation."

"Yes!"

Police Chief Irving Pace was the first to stand up. At this moment, the projector was also turned on, Irving Pace pressed a button on the remote control, and a corpse appeared on the screen. Upon seeing this scene, the meeting room erupted in exclamations.

"Around 3 a.m. today, the 110 command center received a report claiming a murder occurred at a farm named Savor House. Local police stations and the detective team quickly arrived at the scene to confirm that the deceased was Deputy Mayor Cornell Morgan. After three hours of intensive investigation and interrogation, the suspect, Geraldine, confessed without reservation to stabbing Cornell Morgan. Now, let me briefly explain the incident..."

In the following time,

Irving Pace laid out Geraldine's motives and the details of the murder.

Everyone was shocked upon hearing it.

The causes and effects were clear and evident, not far from being self-inflicted.

Suddenly, Jeff Hughes changed the topic.

Looking at Robert Shepherd, he said, "Mayor Shepherd, I heard that on that night, you led the police to rescue a hostage. This hostage was also kidnapped at Cornell Morgan's command, correct?"

"Yes, that's correct."

Robert Shepherd said.

Jeff Hughes nodded and asked, "So, who was the person Cornell Morgan kidnapped, and why? Have you figured it out?"

Robert Shepherd had long prepared a response.

He shook his head and said, "Still no results yet."

Jeff Hughes nodded slightly and said, "Next, I will announce the instructions of the Rexton City Committee and Government..."

As soon as he said that.

Everyone present simultaneously picked up pen and paper and quietly looked at Jeff Hughes.

Jeff Hughes said sternly, "First, whether it's the kidnapping case or the murder case, from today onward, they will be transferred to the 124 joint task force. This task force is led by the provincial People's Congress Supervision and Judicial Committee, with members drawn from Rexton City's Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection, Public Security Bureau, and the Procuratorate. Irving, you must promptly ensure evidence preservation and transfer procedures. The task force will arrive this morning."

As soon as this was said.

Robert Shepherd's face grew even more tense.

He didn't expect the task force to be established so quickly.

What's worse is that it's led by the provincial People's Congress.

It must be noted that the prominent figure behind Cornell Morgan is none other than the Vice Chair of the provincial People's Congress, Duncan Linden.

The initial worries have finally come true now.

"Secretary Hughes, Cornell Morgan was under city management; it's normal procedure for his murder case to be handed over to the task force. But as for the kidnapping case, our municipal department can handle it, so why is it also being handed over?"

Irving Pace asked.

Jeff Hughes cast him a look and said, "This is the decision of the Rexton City Committee. Do you want to call and ask why, Director Pace?"

Upon saying this.

Irving Pace had no words to respond.

Cornell Morgan's death was not orchestrated by the faction of Robert Shepherd.

So even if the cases are handed over, he has nothing to worry about. However, Sydney Tanner is involved in a false act of bravery case. Once Sydney Tanner is handed over, the consequences would be unimaginable.

"Second, The Economic Development District is set to be established after the New Year. With Cornell Morgan meeting his end, this means the leadership position is vacant. The organization department should quickly draft a candidate for discussion at the committee meeting. Dirk Carter, is two days enough for you?"

Jeff Hughes asked.

Dirk Carter felt a shiver in his heart.

Two days?

That urgent?

Just in that instant,

Dirk Carter seemed to have understood something.

Since Duncan Linden's people are leading the investigation, it will significantly impact Robert Shepherd. As deduced before, everyone in the city knows the discord between Robert Shepherd and Cornell Morgan. In this murder case, people's first suspicion will be Robert Shepherd.

Under such circumstances,

Robert Shepherd would find it difficult to secure the leadership position in The Economic Development District.

If Robert Shepherd can't take it, and with Cornell Morgan dead, the leadership position of The Economic Development District would naturally fall into Jeff Hughes's hands.

Dirk Carter had always thought he'd benefit from the rivalry between others.

Now it seems that the biggest beneficiary isn't him, but Jeff Hughes.

After a pause, he said, "Secretary Hughes, I'll expedite it."

Jeff Hughes was quite satisfied with Dirk Carter's response, nodded, and said, "Alright, that's settled. Dirk Carter, stay back for a moment. Everyone else, the meeting is adjourned!"

At the command,

Everyone stood up in small groups and left.

Two minutes later, only Dirk Carter and Jeff Hughes were left in the meeting room.

To be honest, Dirk Carter had been in office for more than half a month, and this was the first time the two had spoken alone.

"Dirk Carter, this must be the first time the two of us are alone, right?"

Jeff Hughes said in a relaxed manner.

Dirk Carter nodded and said, "I've long wanted to visit, but Secretary Hughes is just too busy."

Jeff Hughes smiled slightly and said, "With the New Year approaching, things tend to pile up more, but it's fine; we'll have more opportunities to get closer in the future."

"Did Secretary Hughes keep me back for anything specific?"

Dirk Carter asked.

Jeff Hughes lit a cigarette and said, "My mentor told me that regarding The Economic Development District, you'd assist me. So, regarding the leadership appointment at The Economic Development District, I'd like to seek your opinion."

The mentor he referred to is, of course, Fabian Vincent, who personally endorsed Dirk Carter for the position.

Unexpectedly, it all comes back to the starting point.

Dirk Carter smiled and said, "Secretary Hughes, you know I haven't been organizing minister for long, and I don't have a deep understanding of many people. If Secretary Hughes has a suitable candidate, I'll follow through."

This was what Jeff Hughes wanted to hear.

It's also why he kept Dirk Carter back.

Jeff Hughes pondered for a moment and asked, "Minister Carter, what do you think of Gauthier Pace?"