Chương 121: Defending the Newspaper Office

10: 00 AM.

Six police cars sped up and stopped in front of the New York Herald.

The car door opened, and more than twenty uniformed police officers jumped out. They carried batons and had guns at their waists. The leader was a branch bureau chief, whose face was very grim.

This was an order that Mulloni had to carry out under immense pressure.

He knew it was illegal, he knew it was insane, but he was deeply bound to Jimmy Walker, and he had to carry out orders.

"Seal off the scene! Following a report that this newspaper is suspected of illegal publishing and inciting violence, it is to be shut down immediately!"

The cordon was set up.

Police began shoving the readers and newsboys gathered at the entrance, attempting to break through the gate.

But they couldn't get in.

Because a group of people came out of the door.

At the front was Patrick, holding a huge pipe wrench, followed by Sean, Connor, and...

Liam, and dozens of workers who came from the docks.

They were wearing oil-stained work clothes, their eyes fierce, blocking the door like a wall.

"Let's see who dares to touch it. Every single machine here was repaired by us. Want to smash it? Ask our weapons first."

The branch bureau chief drew his gun: "Step back! This is obstructing official business!"

"Official business?"

A loud voice came from behind the crowd.

A black sedan stopped outside the police line. The door opened, and a short, stout but imposing man stepped out.

Fiorello LaGuardia.

He was wearing a slightly wrinkled suit, waving a copy of the New York Herald in his hand, and strode through the police cordon to the precinct chief.

LaGuardia pointed at the precinct chief's nose and said, "Put your guns away, officer. You're the NYPD, not Walker's private army. This newspaper contains evidence, the truth! What you need to do now is arrest the mayor who hired arson, not shut down the newspaper that's exposing the truth!"

The branch office chief recognized the famous congressman, and his hands trembled slightly.

"Sir, this is the order from above—"

"If the order from above were to make you eat shit, would you eat it?"

LaGuardia roared, his voice so loud it could be heard across the street.

More and more citizens gathered around. Some started to riot, and some began to shout "Walker, get out!"

Just then, the window on the second floor of the newspaper office opened.

Arthur Kennedy stood at the window and called down, "Officer, this is a protective order just issued by the court. The Westbury Commission has determined that the New York Herald is a key location for evidence in this case and is protected by state law. Any act of vandalism against the newspaper will be considered destruction of criminal evidence."

Arthur looked at the branch office chief.

"You can rush in. You can smash our machines. But think it over, the moment you strike the first blow, you're no longer a cop, you're an accomplice."

"7

"The Westbli Inquiry Commission issued a subpoena yesterday, and sent another one this morning. Guess if your name is on that subpoena?"

The branch director's hand trembled slightly.

Arthur continued, "Your officers all have wives and children waiting for them to come home for dinner."

"You brought them here to do this today, and tomorrow the newspaper will print their photos, and what will the headline be?"

He paused.

"Walker's henchman."

"The accomplice to burning down the printing press."

"The dog of the Tammany Society." How can their children hold their heads high at school with such a reputation when you let your men go home carrying it?

The branch bureau chief's expression changed.

He glanced back at the police officers behind him.

Those people looked at him, and there was hesitation in their eyes.

The crowd around them grew larger and larger. It wasn't just workers anymore; there were also many well-dressed middle-class people.

They were all holding the newspaper, their eyes filled with disappointment and anger towards the police.

An old gentleman wearing a top hat spoke up!

"Officer, I know you. Your son and my grandson go to the same school. What you did today, how will your son ever face anyone again?"

Another voice came from the crowd: "We've read the newspapers. We've read the letter too. Why are you arresting the writer instead of the arsonists? What kind of logic is that?"

The branch bureau chief stood still, his grip on the gun tightening and loosening repeatedly.

He remembered the question his son had asked him when they were having dinner at home last night.

The son said, "Dad, why don't you arrest the arsonist? It's all over the newspapers; it must have been the mayor who did it."

He didn't know how to answer at the time.

He doesn't know how to answer now.

The branch chief slowly put the gun back into its holster.

"Withdraw," he commanded in a low voice.

"Chief, but what about the mayor—" The officer hesitated.

"I said let's withdraw!" the branch chief roared.

"Screw the mayor. I don't want to go to jail."

The police officers began to back away, put away the police tape, and climbed back into their police cars.

The sound of sirens faded into the distance.

A cheer erupted at the entrance of the newspaper office.

LaGuardia patted the branch chief on the shoulder and said, "You made the right decision today."

The branch director did not answer and turned to walk towards his car.

Arthur stood at the window, watching the retreating police cars, his face devoid of a smile.

He knew this was just the prelude to the final blow. Walker's power had been stripped away, leaving only an empty shell.

But Walker is still there.

He has not yet been formally charged, taken away, or tried in public.

As long as he remains seated in City Hall, those he has threatened will remain fearful, and those institutions he has controlled will remain hesitant.

Just then, the phone on the table rang.

It was Elizabeth calling.

"Arthur, Collier just contacted me. The Tammony Society has decided to abandon Walker."

"They said that in order to protect the association's reputation, the association would fully cooperate with the Sibyl investigation committee. They sold Walker out to save the rest of them. Collier said it himself: starting tomorrow, Walker's matter has nothing to do with the association."

"What are their conditions?"

"The condition was that Walker be investigated, but the Tammany Society should not be implicated. I did not agree."

Arthur smiled.

"They're dreaming. Collier has it all figured out. He'll sacrifice Walker to keep the association alive. He'll do the math. Too bad I don't see any reason for me to agree to their terms."

Just then, another cheer erupted from downstairs; it was unclear which newcomer had joined their group.

Arthur hung up the phone and turned to look at the calendar on the wall.

Tomorrow is the public hearing for the Westbury Commission's investigation, and Walker has been subpoenaed to give his public defense before being removed from office.

The grand show is finally coming to an end.