The police chief couldn’t help but glance back and point his thumb towards Herzen’s office upon hearing this.
Arthur understood instantly, saying: "Did he arrest soone he shouldn’t and was rude to that aristocrat?"
The police chief nodded slightly: "The inspector’s son went crazy that day, hunting in the city and incited dogs to bite several Jews, pushing them neck-deep into slop buckets for fun. Passersby reported the incident, and my brother-in-law went to arrest him. When the inspector’s son saw the police, he imdiately cursed them for being slower than hunting dogs. My brother-in-law was still hungover and, upon hearing the curses, slapped the inspector’s son."
"Sigh..." The police chief paused: "My brother-in-law, built like a grizzly bear, slapped that frail aristocrat, knocking out two teeth. By the ti he realized the mistake, it was too late. He went to the province with gifts to apologize, but the inspector refused to et him no matter what. Although, publicly, he wasn’t at fault and even had rit, his transfer to the province was voided."
Arthur lanted: "It seems what worked for might not apply completely in Russia."
"Right?" The police chief envied: "When you were in London, you only focused on working cases, and promotions naturally ca your way. But here... sigh..."
Arthur couldn’t help but shake his finger at the police chief for imagining Scotland Yard as heaven: "You’re oversimplifying London. You can’t get promotions just by working cases there."
"Do you also need to watch your superiors’ moods?" The police chief pondered and laughed: "Well, yeah, crows everywhere are the sa shade."
Arthur waved his hand: "Of course, you have to watch your superiors, though not as severely as in Russia. Generally speaking, the 1829 London Police Act didn’t strictly define the relationship between the Greater London Police Departnt and the Ho Office. London police pledge allegiance not to the Ho Office but to the King and the Constitution. The Ho Office rely assists His Majesty the King in managing London police according to legal codes. Thus, while we submit annual reports to the Ho Office, we decide how to work cases, what cases, and how many personnel we deploy."
In this regard, Arthur didn’t deceive the police chief.
Compared to police in other countries, London police have autonomy second only to Paris police.
However, Paris police have significant power because they were established as a high-level independent departnt accountable only to the King.
During the Great Revolution period, with power dispersed among different leaders, French governnt departnts were almost self-governing.
This habit continued into Napoleon’s imperial period.
Minister of Police of France, Joseph Fouche, nearly made his Paris police an imperable fortress.
What exactly the Paris police were doing?
Besides Fouche, no one knew; this is no joke.
Even their Emperor Napoleon couldn’t figure it out.
As for Scotland Yard, though not as arrogant and domineering as Paris police, they aren’t pushovers either.
Nominally, the Ho Secretary can only decide the appointnt and dismissal of the Scotland Yard’s Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner, but if he wants to intervene in Scotland Yard’s internal promotions, he must fully respect and consider the London Police Committee ford by senior police officers and magistrates.
Arthur’s initial rocket promotion from patrolman to Police Superintendent was due to two main factors: Sir Robert Peel’s nod and securing Pri Minister Duke of Wellington’s support.
Everyone knew the composition of Scotland Yard’s senior officers.
As soon as Duke of Wellington spoke, they all supported the forr British Army Commander’s opinion.
Of course, buying face for Duke of Wellington didn’t an buying face for the Whig Party.
Therefore, when Minister Luo Wan discovered the Ho Office was allowing Fleet Street journalists to attack Arthur for ’dying in the line of duty,’ he angrily went to the Ho Office to confront Viscount lbourne and secured Arthur the Junior Knight honor he deserved.
The police chief envied hearing Arthur recount his glorious days at Scotland Yard; especially hearing about the Tower of London made his heart jump.
Arthur spoke passionately, unleashing his ’Despotism Iron Fist’: "Against liberalists, at crucial monts, one must strike hard!"
The police chief downed his punch, applauding Arthur: "Exactly, those bastards need to be run over by cavalry!"
Arthur, not satiated, continued: "Let tell you, this fire is actually an opportunity for you. Look at , I was just like you, an unnoticed mid-level officer. But because I handled ergencies well, His Majesty the King valued , elevating to my current position. Speaking of which, have you interrogated the newly arrested liberal aristocrat? If not, I can teach you so interrogation skills on the spot. Follow my lead, and I assure you’ll impress Chief of Police Zienski."
The police chief was enthused by Arthur’s words: "Well, we haven’t interrogated yet, he was just arrested yesterday, and Colonel Miller only briefly chatted with him..."
"Oh?" Arthur asked: "Didn’t he instruct you on what to do next?"
"Not really. I imagine he plans to interrogate personally... but... "
The police chief, excited by Arthur’s idea, was focused solely on impressing superiors: "But typically, I’m supposed to conduct an interrogation. You don’t know; I’m supposed to be responsible for this aspect within the bureau."
"That’s right; you should be proactive in these matters." Arthur coaxed: "Think about it, how many chiefs are there in Moscow? This Moscow fire is a major case; if handled well, your superiors are bound to be promoted. When they’re promoted, they’ll leave vacancies behind, and if you don’t seize the chance, how will anyone notice you among a crowd of chiefs? You surely don’t want to follow your brother-in-law’s footsteps by hitting the inspector’s son, right?"
No matter how hard he thought, the police chief realized Arthur’s advice made perfect sense.
More importantly, this British knight was a famous police star in London; could he possibly lack clever tactics?
Taking advantage of the knight’s enthusiasm to pry open the aristocrat’s mouth, then craft the findings into a report, get a Moscow University literature professor to finesse it...
Oh heavens, it might impact his career!
But then, bringing an outsider to interrogate prisoners violated regulations...
On the other hand, if you don’t say, I won’t say, and nobody says anything, who will know I brought in an outsider?
Would a nobleman of the knight’s stature fuss over such insignificant trifle with ?
For him, it’s nothing, but for , it’s a windfall!
The police chief glanced at the sun, pulling out his old pocket watch.
Just past nine o’clock, the director’s eting started five minutes ago.
Given Russian etings’ usual pace, it won’t end soon. By standard procedure, the leading mbers of the interrogation committee would arrive five to ten minutes late to show prestige, then spend ten minutes on formalities. Official discussions won’t start before nine-thirty.
If the interrogation is done before ten, the director’s side won’t find out.
They say temptation blinds wisdom, and thinking of this, the police chief hurriedly aided Arthur like serving God.
"Truly a blessing in disguise, a London rainstorm from St. Petersburg blown my way! Your willingness to assist is incredibly appreciated; I was really worried about dealing with such aristocrats! I’ll prepare you hot tea right away! Authentic Chinese black tea! Do you prefer it with milk or sugar? Just let know; feel free, no need to be formal."
User Comments
0 comments from readers