The Crime System

Caught in the Act

Luke Sullivan noticed the kid wearing a dark green cap. The youngster was of average height and skinny, almost like a student. Yet they looked very nervous, as if doing something questionable.

'Interesting!' Luke thought. He used to deal with these delinquents often and followed the kid out of curiosity. Despite the youngster being on high alert, constantly checking left and right, Luke was experienced in stealth and avoided all detection.

Finally, he followed the kid into a dark corner. There was a tattooed man with dyed blonde hair waiting.

The two exchanged no words when they met. The youngster immediately handed the other man some sort of black Game Card, while the blonde pulled out an envelope in exchange.

'Huh!?' Luke watched from the sideline. Even an i***t could tell that the two must be making some sort of illegal deal! If he rushed out now, he could definitely catch them red-handed, adding more credit to his criminal catching record.

But Luke was used to this sort of activity. He knew there were other, more beneficial ways to deal with this.

So he simply waited silently in the shadows until the blonde disappeared with the Game Card. Luke then strode forward and immediately pinned the youngster with the green cap against a wall.

"Freeze! Police!" he spoke with confidence. Luke thought, "Hmph, now that I am a police officer! No need to fear!"

The young boy nearly collapsed upon hearing the word "police," and suddenly broke down and started sobbing. When the cap came off, Luke realized that it wasn't a boy at all! But a short-haired girl! Judging by her childish appearance, at best, she was a middle schooler.

Luke was taken by surprise, but still darkened his expression and scolded, "Do you know why I caught you?"

The little girl was shaking non-stop. She raised her head and begged, "Sir, I know I was wrong, I won't do it again."

"Save it! Tell me the truth now, Or...Or I..." Luke paused for a bit, then started again, "I'll call your parents!"

"No! No!" The girl looked much more anxious now, "Please don't tell my parents. If my dad finds out about this, he'll kill me!"

Luke saw the girl was not a threat and let her go, but snatched the envelope. Opening it, he saw that there was a huge wad of cash.

"Woah!" Luke had assumed the envelope probably contained money, but he didn't anticipate it would be this much. He questioned the girl in a hurry, "Quick, this money, how'd you get it?"

Hearing this, the little girl started wailing. She grabbed Luke's arm and begged pitifully, "Sir! This was really my first time, please let me go. I know I'm wrong, I won't do it again!"

"Oi, Oi...You're getting your snot on me!" Luke pushed the girl off, "Don't cry anymore. First tell me, what did you just hand to the other guy?"

Luke couldn't believe his eyes. The little girl had indeed handed a Game Card to the blonde man. As he peered closer, he realized it contained login credentials for two accounts in a popular game.

"Just game account theft," Luke thought to himself, feeling a wave of relief wash over him. Thank goodness he hadn't rushed out to apprehend them. Could you imagine? The police officer catching petty game account thieves? He'd never live it down if word got out.

Still, something felt off to Luke. Why would someone pay so much for mere game accounts? The girl mentioned fifteen thousand dollars in the envelope - that's several months of his salary!

"Sir, I swear this was my first time," the girl pleaded through her tears. "I don't want the money anymore! Please, let me go. I promise I won't do it again!"

"Pfft," Luke scoffed, his voice harsh. "That exchange was wordless and smooth. You expect me to believe it's your first rodeo?"

The girl fell silent, unable to counter his point.

Curiosity got the better of Luke. "If you're stealing game accounts, why use cash? Wouldn't online transactions be easier?"

"Mr. Policeman," she replied earnestly, "I don't have an identity card yet! I can't open a bank account. Besides, online transactions leave a trail!"

"Oh?" Luke was taken aback. "Well, well, aren't you a professional? Tell me, what do you do with all this ill-gotten money? Buy fancy gaming gear?"

"No! No!" The girl, sensing an opportunity, wiped away her tears and answered truthfully. "The money is for my mom's illness. She has kidney failure!"

"Hmph!" Luke wasn't buying it. These amateur lies were all too common.

"It's true!" she insisted. "Each check-up costs thousands of dollars! My dad's fruit-selling business barely covers it. He's so worried he wants to rent out the floor above our house!"

"Wait a minute," Luke froze, scrutinizing the girl. She looked oddly familiar. "Tell me your name. And your father's and you're coming to the police station with me."

"I'm not lying. My name is Jenna Dalton," she answered. "My father is James Dalton. Dalton Fruit Company on L. C District Street is our home..."