Dirk Carter decided to probe his background.
He had read Houston Marshall's file.
Marshall was 48 years old this year, and almost all of his career had been in Helios County.
But from the way Darien Griffin toyed with him, it seed he wasn't part of their inner circle.
Maybe he could extract so inside information from him.
Thinking of this,
Dirk Carter stood up.
He grabbed Houston Marshall's hand and said, "Oh, Director Marshall, why are you always so polite? When I ask you to sit, just sit and keep company for a chat, can't you?"
Carter said it with sincerity.
Marshall naturally couldn't refuse.
After sitting down,
his hands were still placed on his knees.
He sat with his back straight.
Appearing quite restrained.
"Secretary General Carter, whatever you want to know, just ask. I'll tell you everything I know without holding back."
It was obvious that Marshall was a bit nervous.
Carter chuckled and asked, "Just small talk, how long have you been the Director of The County Committee Office?"
"Seven years."
Marshall replied.
Carter nodded and asked, "Seven years, haven't you thought about moving up?"
There was a bitter smile on Marshall's face.
He said, "We people are just born to toil. We don't expect to get rich or get promotions. It's enough to do our job well in one position without getting criticized by leaders."
When he said this, Marshall seed very natural.
So it's not a work-related issue.
If it's not work, then it must be family.
Carter continued to ask, "So what work does Mrs. Marshall do?"
Marshall smiled and said, "What's this Mrs. stuff? My wife was a nurse at the county hospital. Later, she fell while climbing a mountain and injured her leg, so she retired early. Now she just spends her days gardening and growing vegetables."
"And what about the children? How many children do you have, Director Marshall?"
Carter asked further.
Suddenly,
Marshall's expression turned tense.
He looked at Carter like a guilty person,
but seeing Carter seed to be just making small talk, he breathed a silent sigh of relief and said, "I have just one daughter, she's 24 years old, who works as a program director at the county TV station after graduating from college."
At that mont,
Carter sharply sensed there was a problem.
He quickly nodded and said, "That's good, the TV station is a good unit; let her work there for a couple of years, then find a way to transfer to the city TV station, and her future will be boundless."
"Yes, yes, thanks to Secretary General Carter for the good words."
There was an awkward smile on Marshall's face.
Carter could basically conclude that the issue was with Marshall's daughter.
Otherwise, how could a director of The County Committee Office be so manipulated?
He clapped the armrest.
Said, "Alright, I won't hold you up from your work any longer; you can go back to your tasks. I'll call you if I need anything."
Hearing this,
Marshall appeared relieved.
Stood up quickly.
Said, "Okay, Secretary General Carter, I'll go ahead and get busy."
After Carter waved his hand,
Marshall seed to flee, leaving Carter's office.
As soon as he left,
Arlo Yarbrough pushed the door and ca in.
Carter said, "Go check on Houston Marshall's daughter, she must be having so issues. As long as we help him solve this trouble, I think this person could still be useful."
"With a personality like his, acting like a lapdog, how could he help us?"
Yarbrough complained.
Carter smiled.
Said, "Don't underestimate him; not mingling with corrupt practices is a skill. Being able to step by step beco the director of The County Committee Office in Helios County shows that Houston Marshall is not simple. Follow what I say; I believe there will be unexpected benefits."
Although Yarbrough did not believe it,
he still nodded and turned to leave.
After he left,
Carter stretched lazily.
Stood up.
Walked directly out of the office.
Soon,
his figure appeared in the courtyard.
At this ti,
there were two pairs of eyes watching his every move from the window of another county governnt building.
One belonged to Jabez Shaw, and the other was the Discipline Inspection Secretary Franklin Ross.
"Where's he going? Isn't he heading to Iris Baldwin's place?"
Ross curiously asked.
Shaw shook his head,
Said, "Around ten o'clock, our people went to the credit union but couldn't find Evan Perry. I guess Carter arranged it in advance."
"He has such abilities just after arriving?"
Ross asked.
Shaw shook his head again, saying, "It's not clear yet. At just over 30 years old, being chosen as the Secretary of The County Committee ans we should still take him seriously. You find so people to monitor his every move; I want to know whom he's eting and what he's doing at all tis."
"Alright, I'll arrange it right away."
Ross nodded, picking up the phone and getting busy.
At this ti, Carter,
after seemingly wandering without purpose around the courtyard,
headed directly to the main gate.
Hailing a taxi.
He got in and said to the driver, "To the County Committee Guesthouse."
Shortly after the taxi left,
a Toyota parked on the opposite side of the road started to follow.
Silent on the surface.
In fact, Carter had already noticed it.
After Britt Ford and others frad him with abducting Iris Baldwin, besides Leopard Cat taking Evan Perry away, Shaw would definitely deploy people to surveil him.
So these days, he couldn't do anything.
The only option was to lull Shaw's group into relaxing their vigilance.
Only then could he take action.
About ten minutes later,
Carter got off at the County Committee Guesthouse.
There didn't seem to be any reception activities today.
Not many people were at the entrance.
With his hands behind his back, Carter pretended to be vigilant and glanced around before strolling inside casually.
Once he disappeared from sight,
two people from the Toyota followed him in quietly.
At the reception desk in the lobby,
Deputy Chief lody Holloway was scolding her staff.
She noticed Carter at a glance.
Ca over imdiately.
"Secretary General Carter, why are you here? Why didn't you inform in advance? I would have gone outside to welco you."
The two exchanged a look.
Carter signaled with a glance.
Holloway understood.
Carter chuckled and said, "No need to trouble you, Comrade Holloway. I was just out strolling and ended up here, and since it's almost lunch, I thought I'd co over for a al. Comrade Holloway won't mind hosting , right?"
"What are you saying? The guesthouse is for serving leaders; Secretary General Carter is welco anyti."
Having finished speaking,
she imdiately gestured for Carter to co in.
Taking advantage of the mont she turned,
Carter reached out and lightly patted Holloway's behind.
A completely teasing action.
Of course, this flirtatious move also didn't escape the eyes of the two monitors.
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