Chapter 212: Preparing for the Exchange_2
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Seeing their actions over this period of time being pointed out one by one, the expressions of the two darkened instantly.
It wasn't until a good while later that Elsie finally spoke up, "What do you want?"
Although she knew the IRS was only responsible for collecting taxes, given David's identity and his current expression, she felt that it definitely wasn't just about his small amount of tax.
"I don't want anything in particular, just to deport you back to your country."
"Deported back to our country?"
Elsie and Futoryak had speculated many possibilities.
Such as being forced to pay taxes, or being arrested, or being handed over to the FBI or CIA.
But being deported back to their country was something they had not considered.
"So you're reluctant to return, is that it?"
The two exchanged glances again. If their identities had been exposed and they could still be deported back home, that would be incredibly good news for them.
Because generally, spies who were undercover in another country, once discovered, at best faced imprisonment and at worst suffered all kinds of torture.
But that being said, they did not believe David would be so kind-hearted, so after a pause, Elsie immediately asked, "We're willing, but what are the conditions?"
"I need your testimonies and all the data you've sent back to Bear Country. As long as you confess everything, you can go back home."
Due to the 'Golden Finger', David knew all of their data, but knowing himself was one thing; he needed tangible evidence to confirm to the CIA that these two were spies.
Otherwise, it would just be his 'word against theirs', which could cause complications later on.
Upon hearing this, the pair furrowed their brows.
Just now, when David pointed out the specifics of what they did, where they did it, and how much bonus they received, they thought all of their data had been leaked.
But if that were the case, what was the point of David asking them to confess now?
Wasn't this superfluous?
Could it be...
All of David's previous words were just to trick them?
If that were the case and they now took the initiative to confirm the testimonies and give up the data, wouldn't they be completely trapped?
David seemed to see what they were thinking and immediately warned them, "Don't think I'm tricking you. Confess honestly and we'll compare it with our data. If it matches, you can return to Bear Country. Otherwise, next time you'll be interrogated by the CIA!"
Hearing the word 'CIA', both their faces tightened instantly, then exchanging glances again, Elsie asked, "Are you certain we can go back to Bear Country?"
"Have you ever heard of Rodrigozki?"
"Rodrigozki?!"
Elsie paused for a moment. As a spy, she naturally needed to receive and master all sorts of news, and she had heard a bit about the Rodrigozki bounty.
Could it be...
She seemed to have realized something and then tentatively asked, "Are you planning to use us to exchange for Rodrigozki?"
"Exactly."
"Fine, then we have no problem."
Now Elsie finally understood why David had gone through such great lengths to capture them; this was his intention all along.
But since that was the case, then promising to let them return to Bear Country was certainly not a lie to them.
As for the information they had to confess, it was nothing more than their testimonies and the data they had stolen and sent back to Bear Country—not a request for them to betray their own organization. That was nothing to hesitate about.
Not long after interrogating these two, the three spies previously located at the World Trade Association were also brought back without any hitches, and all three were captured alive.
David didn't rest either, immediately beginning the interrogation of these three.
Under his offensive, the result was smooth. Faced with the choice of being taken over by the CIA or being deported back to their country, they naturally chose the latter prudently.
"Ha, with these five in hand, Bear Country will certainly be willing to exchange them for Rodrigozki."
"Just a drug dealer, Bear Country would have to be out of their minds not to exchange," laughed Nisen Bakesimmons in the office, who had been fuming over Rodrigozki's provocative actions for some time.
And now, seeing the opportunity to punish the other side within reach, they were naturally very excited.
In his executive chair, David's expression was also quite at ease.
Although these five spies were not extremely important spies, in the official eyes of Bear Country, five elite spies could surely not be considered less valuable than one drug dealer, so an exchange should not be a problem.
"Don't get too happy just yet, prepare yourselves. Tomorrow morning we have another trip to make, to the City Hall and Santa Monica Navy Aviation Station..."
According to David's plan, giving up five spies to exchange for Rodrigozki should be sufficient, but after all, the information came from the CIA, so they had to throw them a bone as well.
That night, David still spent at the Western Suburb Branch.
And as time moved into the next day, the public discourse surrounding this incident did not diminish; on the contrary, it was gradually becoming uncontrollable.
Outside the Western Suburbs Branch, reporters from various major television stations employed a shift system to stake out, monitoring the comings and goings 24 hours a day.
"Hello, everyone, this is the Los Angeles Times. Today is the third day of the Rodrigozki bounty incident, and so far the Western Suburbs Branch has not taken any action. Please continue to follow our station for more updates..."