Chapter 3: THE MATCH BEGINS
1231 Words
Arthur played the white pieces, starting with the classic Ruy-Lopez opening. Elliot, already familiar with this aggressive style of play, responded with the Caro-Kann defense, signaling a defensive strategy before attacking.
As they played, Arthur began to speak. "So, you said there was a certain pattern in Nathan's cases. Explain."
Elliot remained focused on the chessboard, saying, "There was a financial fraud case that recently caught my attention. The problem was that the flow of funds was suddenly cut off, making it impossible to trace the missing money. If this is a typical case, the investigation will end dead."
Arthur nodded. "And what do you think should be done?"
Elliot moved his piece before saying, "Use reverse thinking."
Arthur raised his eyebrows. "Reverse thinking?"
"Instead of looking for where the money came from, look for who is most likely to launder it."
Arthur frowned, seeming to think.
Elliot continued, "This case is too neat. Someone can't cover their tracks without a very sophisticated money laundering system. So, the question is—which companies can launder large amounts of money?"
"Banks? Investment institutions?" Arthur asked.
Elliot smiled. "No. Banks in this state are closely monitored. But some industries have looser rules—gambling companies and large-scale import-export."
Arthur was silent, then chuckled. "You catch on quickly, kid. That's something even Nathan is still trying to figure out."
Elliot smiled. "I can think more flexibly because I'm not tied to the system."
Arthur was silent for a moment, then continued the game.
After a few moves, Arthur realized something—he had walked into a trap.
Elliot had been controlling the board from the start without Arthur realizing it. Every seemingly ordinary move forced Arthur into a weak position.
In two more moves, checkmate.
Arthur was silent for a moment, staring at the board in disbelief. "I lost?"
Elliot smiled and said, "I use a strategy similar to Bobby Fischer's style of play."
Arthur looked at him thoughtfully. "So, you're a chess player, too?"
Elliot shrugged. "I only study the strategies of the greats."
Arthur grinned. "Interesting. Very interesting."
He leaned against the chair and stared at the young man before him. "You're an exciting player," he said, "I want to see how far you can develop. How about we play again next week?"
Elliot smiled slightly, but he knew better than to get too excited. If he looked too enthusiastic, Arthur might get suspicious.
"I'd love to, but I must prepare for a job interview," he said regretfully. "If I get accepted, I probably won't have much free time."
Arthur frowned, looking a little dissatisfied.
"I see..." He was silent momentarily, then suddenly reached into his pocket and took out a business card. "Well, then, save this number. If you have free time, give me a call."
Elliot accepted it with a slight nod. "Thank you, Mr. Arthur."
After that, Arthur patted the young man on the shoulder. "After your interview, I'd like to buy you dinner. We can talk about many things."
Elliot pretended to gasp. "It's a great honor for me, Mr. Arthur."
After Elliot left, Arthur Wescott sat quietly, playing with his business card between his fingers.
Finally, he reached for his cell phone and called his son, Nathan Wescott, the local police chief.
"Dad?" Nathan's voice came over the phone. "What's up?"
"I met an interesting young man today," Arthur said. "He said he was preparing for a job interview, so I wanted to know more about him."
Nathan frowned. "What's his name?"
Arthur mentioned Elliot's name. There was a moment of silence on the phone before Nathan sighed.
"The guy failed the re-examination," he said. "He's quite talented, but there were some problems with his academic eligibility. He wasn't accepted at any institution."
Arthur's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean there were problems?"
"It looks like someone was holding him back behind the scenes," Nathan explained. "We don't know who yet, but there's a strong possibility that someone wanted to trip him up."
Arthur nodded slowly. He had suspected something like this.
"Well, Nathan," he said flatly. "Recruit him to your department."
Nathan was surprised. "What? But he—"
"I want to see what he can do," Arthur interrupted. "Trust me, this kid is more than meets the eye."
Nathan still had doubts, but he knew that once his father had decided, arguing was pointless.
"All right," he said finally. "I'll take care of it."
Arthur smiled slightly. "Good. I want to see how far he can go."
After hanging up the phone, he looked again at the traditional food in his hand and smiled faintly.
"I'm curious, son... what exactly are you planning?"
The following day, Maxwell Davenport sat in his study with a sour expression. He had just received a report that made him even more furious—Elliot Langston was still qualified for the interview.
"How is it possible that he can still attend the interview?!" Maxwell slammed the report down on the table.
His secretary, standing at the side of the room, swallowed nervously. "According to information from the state health department, he was recruited specifically by the police department, Mr. Maxwell."
Maxwell's eyes narrowed sharply. "The police department?"
"Yes, sir." The secretary nodded. "Reportedly, Police Chief Nathan Wescott recruited him directly."
Maxwell gritted his teeth. He knew who Nathan was—the son of Arthur Wescott, a senior prosecutor who greatly influenced the state's legal system.
"Damn it..." he muttered. "So he has connections to the Wescott family?"
Maxwell recalled their meeting yesterday. The young man had confidently said that he would soon be victorious. Was this what he meant?
Maxwell felt his anger burning. How could a poor boy get so close to influential people like Arthur and Nathan?
"He couldn't have gotten this much protection by luck alone," he thought. "He must have done something big for this. I can't let it go..."
He had to find out more. If Elliot did have connections to the Wescott family, then that meant he was a threat not only to his family but also to his political influence.
"Find out what that kid's relationship is to Arthur," Maxwell ordered coldly. "I want to know what he's really up to."
The secretary nodded quickly. "Yes, sir."
After his secretary left, Maxwell squeezed his temples. This was the first time someone had made him feel anxious in years.
"Do you think you can play in a higher league just because of a few connections?" he muttered sarcastically. "Let's see who wins in the end."
Without wasting time, Maxwell picked up his office phone and contacted a senior official in the state health department.
"I want to be the chief examiner in this recruitment interview," he said bluntly.
On the other end of the phone, the official sounded doubtful. "But, Mr. Maxwell... the procedure has been established. And this is only for new employees, not strategic positions."
"And that's your reason for refusing a senator's request?" Maxwell said coldly, his voice containing a subtle threat.
There was a moment of silence on the phone. Then, the official finally gave up. "Okay, sir. We will adjust the composition of the interview panel."
Maxwell smiled with satisfaction. "Good. I will make sure the standards for graduation remain high," he said before hanging up.
"Let's see how far you can go, kid," he muttered, his eyes flashing.
- Writer
