"Hi, Pat."

"Hi, Jimmy."

Frank said, "Sit down, Jimmy. What were you about to say?"

Jimmy, still slightly confused, sat on the sofa and looked at Pat.

"I wanted to say, I went to Pinnacle Mountain State Park today. There was a fire in one of the duty offices, and a body was found. I wanted to ask Pat about the situation." After a pause, Jimmy began.

Pat asked, "Is the investigation over there concluded?"

Jimmy: "Yes, it's concluded. The case is closed."

Pat: "Very good, then I won't need to deal with it."

Jimmy: "Pat, what happened?"

Pat: "Nothing much, someone came to rob, I killed him, and then I just took the opportunity to fake my own death."

Jimmy looked at Pat. He had only given such a disjointed account that Jimmy couldn't piece together a full story. Jimmy turned to look at Frank, then back to Pat.

"Pat, I communicated with the committee; the case is closed. There were no clues on site except for a bullet in the head of the body, and no other evidence. You've also been marked dead, so there shouldn't be any further trouble.

I just want to know the truth, not to investigate the case. You're a friend of Frank's, and so am I. I hope you can satisfy my curiosity a little."

Pat looked at Frank, Frank nodded, Pat looked at Jimmy, nodded, and said, "After I retired, I was assigned to work in the park as a ranger and do some part-time gigs like delivering goods for people.

Some guy delivering goods was tracked to my place. He came to rob, I killed him in self-defense, then set a fire and ran away. I disguised him a bit, now he should be mistaken for me."

Jimmy: "What goods were being delivered?"

Pat: "Drugs, you should know."

Jimmy: "Then do you know Colin?"

Pat: "Of course, one of Nut's men, but he has been taken out."

Jimmy: "You know what happened? Who did it? Didn't Nut avenge him?"

Pat: "I know, Frog did it. As for Nut, he's already been sent to prison by Frog, definitely unable to take revenge."

Jimmy: "Who is Frog?"

Pat: "Formerly a subordinate of Nut, now he has taken Nut's place."

Jimmy leaned back on the sofa, mentally sorting through the situation.

According to Pat's statement, Nut was a big boss around here, and Colin and Frog were his underlings. Then Frog turned against him, sent Nut to prison, and got rid of Colin. But why had no news leaked out?

Considering the timing of Colin's death, Frog must have carried out these actions about two months ago, yet neither Cage nor Sam was aware, even though Colin was based in Sam's town.

Also, regarding Frog, did Cage and Sam know any other information?

Jimmy: "Pat, last two questions, one, why did you fake your death? Two, any information on Frog, tell me what you can."

Pat: "Remember a few days ago when you called me to confirm the whereabouts of that blue sedan? That was Frog's men. I found out they were probably clearing out Nut's safe house, which housed one of Nut's lovers. Of course, I inquired about the case afterward, clean and tidy, other than the car you guys identified, there was no evidence.

After sending Nut to prison, Frog started cleaning up Nut's old subordinates. It's been over two months now, they must have finished cleaning.

When you called me then, I already knew they might have been exposed. I was not working for Frog; to avoid being implicated, I had to run away. Conveniently, someone showed up, which saved me a lot of trouble.

As for Frog, I am not familiar with him, only know he's a white middle-aged male, probably disguises himself as a pawn shop owner. Heard his name last year, so he must not have been with Nut's team for long. Oh, by the way, Nut is a black guy, which might be why Frog didn't want to work under him anymore."

Jimmy: "I understand now, and I won't bring up your matter again."

Jimmy turned to Frank: "What's the plan going forward, Frank?"

Frank: "Okay, I'll get him out of here, probably to Florida. He won't be here, don't worry, I know this is your patrol area."

Jimmy stood up, "Then, Frank, Pat, I'm heading back to the station now. Best of luck."

After Jimmy left, Pat looked at Frank, "Do you understand him? Need to take him out?"

Frank: "No need, don't be rash, Marvin. He's just a county police now, but there's an issue with his identity. I've checked through the department's information system; his record has been altered, but I'm unsure which department did it.

Also, he's the top enforcer in the police department here, has taken down six criminals in half a year. He has a nickname now, the Butcher. Unless it's an emergency, don't touch him."

Marvin: "The Butcher? That reminds me of an old friend."

Frank: "Yeah, an old friend, Butcher Igor, a very capable assassin."

Marvin: "In that case, let's give him a parting gift. My two men here, Kael Bree and Swen Horn, now going by Robert and Ed, work in the park, he'll find something."

Frank: "Okay, I'll let him know after you leave. Is the safe house in Florida still there?"

Marvin: "Of course, I check on it frequently. Well, I'm off too. Goodbye, Frank."

Marvin stood up and left, Frank looked around his house, then went to the bedroom to pack his bags.

After packing, he drove off, calling Jimmy on his way.

Frank: "Hi, Jimmy, I have a new piece of information for you, Pat still has two men, Kael Bree and Swen Horn, now going by Robert and Ed, working in the park, handling his transports. I think you'll find something useful."

Jimmy: "Thanks, Frank. Anything else?"

Frank: "A small matter, I'll be staying in Kansas City for a while, so don't come looking for me anytime soon. Goodbye."

Jimmy: "Goodbye, Frank, hope you have a pleasant journey."

Jimmy hung up the phone and parked the police car on the side of the road, took out a notebook to record the names Kael Bree and Swen Horn, and their aliases Robert and Ed.

He wasn't in a rush to investigate; his interest in Colin was initially due to Cage's affair, but now it had clearly gone beyond just helping Cage. He needed to think carefully about how to proceed.

Jimmy couldn't help but marvel at how mysterious luck could be. Handling a case, reporting a death for a friend, and yet he had gathered so much useful information.