PDLP Chapter 43 Frank's $5 Debt
Chapter 43 Frank's $5 Debt
First message:
Starling: Don't be afraid, we're all on your side!
Second message:
Crawford: Agent Gallagher, there's a lot of disagreement within the department about how to handle you. Be prepared for the worst.
Titus turned off his phone without expression.
He only knew two high-ranking FBI officials: his superior, Crawford, and a professor at West Point. But he was unwilling to ask either of them for help.
Since awakening the Warhammer system, he has had little interest in the FBI.
If he is indeed dismissed, he will follow Batman's path, solving cases and investigating on his own, becoming the Dark Knight feared by all criminals in North America, and achieving godhood among men.
Just then, he heard someone knocking on the door. The knocking was loud and sounded very agitated.
Titus frowned, got up and opened the door.
There were two street thugs outside the door, judging from their attire:
A classic sweaty white T-shirt, loose-fitting, weathered jeans revealing patterned underwear, tattoos on his arms, and a standard switchblade.
The massive, bear-like body of Titus cast a shadow over the two men, his eyes lifeless, his eyelids slightly raised.
he asked:
"What, do you all want to dance too?"
The two thugs didn't understand, but they knew it was an insult. However, the difference in their strength was obvious, so they didn't dare to act rashly.
After all, Titus is the kind of man who looks very strong just by his stance!
As street thugs who spend years on the streets, bullying the weak is an essential skill for them, and the prerequisite for mastering this important skill is the ability to distinguish between superior and inferior.
Those who cannot do this have long since embraced the Lord.
One of the thugs, named T-bug, fawned:
"Hello, sir, we're looking for Frank."
"Why do you want to see him?"
"Frank owes us $50,000, and we'd like to ask—"
Titus clicked his tongue in annoyance, interrupting T-BUG.
Why does he owe you money?
"He bet with our men that a person couldn't withstand two police stun gunshots, and our men did it in front of everyone. Frank lost the bet."
Titus nodded and said:
"I understand. You go find Frank."
After that, Titus said nothing more. He slammed the door shut and went back to doing housework.
The two thugs outside Gallagher's house were firmly turned away, but they dared not speak out against it.
After some debate, they decided to bypass Titus and go directly to Frank.
On the way, T-bug smacked his companion on the head and warned him:
"Are you a real fool or a fake one? Doesn't that face look familiar? It's Hannibal Lecter's Punisher, one of the Ten Most Wanted Criminals!"
"Hasn't he fallen from grace?"
"Fool! Even a starved camel is bigger than a horse!"
……
The following morning, Titus received no notification from the FBI and did not trigger any missions. He was reading newspapers and listening to the radio, the kind about wanted criminals, to see if the system would be triggered.
When Fiona returned, Titus noticed she was in a good mood and asked her where she had been.
Fiona didn't reply to him, she just gave him a sweet, silly smile.
She leaned lazily against the sofa, watching Titus wash the dishes, and after a moment, said:
"Steve is different today; he's become very genuine."
She propped herself up with her hands, like a teenage girl experiencing first love, and said:
He also talked to me about his family and invited us to visit him later.
Titus nodded without turning around:
"That's good, just keep it within limits."
"What?"
"Just... don't get completely absorbed in it."
Titus snapped out of his reverie and felt he had done a good job; the entire Gallagher was slowly getting back on track under his leadership.
He smiled slightly and turned the radio back a bit.
Just then, Fiona's phone rang, and she casually pressed the answer button.
But soon the relaxed smile she had cultivated after spending the morning watching TV on the sofa gradually faded, replaced by a solemn expression.
Titus noticed this.
Because Fiona then turned off the TV and even stood up from the sofa, it seemed this was no small matter.
A moment later, Fiona put down the phone, looked at Titus, and sighed, rubbing her forehead.
"In this morning's craft class, Carl gave the teacher a big one."
"That's definitely something," Titus thought. "Kawhi is awesome!"
"The teacher also said that this kind of prank on Karl had happened more than once, and that the parents had to come to the school, otherwise they would have to consider expelling Karl."
Titus nodded and said:
"Let's go then."
"Wait, the teacher wants the parents to go. We are not Karl's legal guardians."
"You mean, Frank?"
Fiona nodded.
"It would be best to bring him along."
...
The two found Frank at a bar in the South District. Frank hid under the bar counter and, with Kevin's cover, escaped the pursuit of the Tbug gang.
At this moment, this deadbeat is raising his glass and spouting nonsense:
"Captain Frank escaped the pursuit of Caribbean pirates thanks to his brilliant decision-making!"
"Look at me! I often sleep on the streets, and what wakes me up every day isn't the first rays of sunlight, but the damn vibrations of cars passing by on the road! It's like waking up from a huge video game; the world is so real. Just now I almost got beaten to death on the spot, but now I can drink to my heart's content with everyone!"
The customer asked, "Frank, what are you trying to say?"
Frank pointed to the patron, stepped onto the table from the wooden stool, wobbled slightly, almost losing his balance, truly resembling a captain sailing through turbulent waves. He said:
"Good question, old friend. What I want to say is that today is a gift from life, and I don't want to waste a single moment. Let's celebrate this moment to the fullest!"
Unmoved by the others, Frank downed his drink in one gulp and shouted:
"Today's expenses are all on our star agent, Titus Gallagher!"
The bar erupted in cheers!
As Titus pushed open the bar door, he heard a frenzied shout:
"Detective Jingtai Tus!"
These waves of calls quickly reminded him of the night he returned from Florence, when Titus looked at Frank standing on the table and instantly realized what had happened.
Frank, in a daze, heard the door being pushed open. He turned around nonchalantly and met Titus's cold gaze, instantly sobering up considerably.
He immediately smiled and joined the crowd in shouting:
"Detective Jingtai Tus!"
"My dear son, you've come to pay for my drinks?"
Kevin, who was standing nearby, told the two of them that Frank had already downed three bottles!
"Next time you give him alcohol, you pay for it."
"I didn't give it to him, he stole it! He chugged two bottles while I was busy!"
"Fuck!"
After putting down a stack of banknotes, Titus walked straight to Frank, punched him to the ground, and demanded:
"When did you start owing $50,000? Don't bring this home. If you're going to die, die outside! Understand?!"
"Oh, my child, I am your father, you can't treat me like this, you must..."
Then, Titus felt extremely angry, especially after hearing Frank mention the word "father." He ignored him and took Fiona away from the bar.
"$5? Are you kidding me! When did this happen?"
"Wait, weren't we here to let Frank meet the teacher? Are we just leaving like this?"
"What else can we do but bring Frank, who reeks of alcohol, to school?"
"Fiona, if someone like Frank can be Karl's guardian, why can't we?"