Chiz came through. Yee
"Ya gotta be gosh darn kiddin' me."
*This order comes directly from the CIA Director, Sheriff. We cannot have you interfering with Central Intelligence Affairs. Cease your investigation against Howard Connection immediately.*
It was 11PM in SouthTown Central's police precinct, and Sheriff Blackwell had decided to stay late to prepare for tomorrow's operation. The past week had been a busy one for him, and despite tremendous institutional adversity, he had made surprising progress. The Justice system were all Geese Howard's bitches - yet he had managed to obtain an (illegal) warrant with the unwitting help of infamous terrorist, Kain Heinlein. The secret warrant didn't remain secret for long, and Geese's Lawyers came crawling out of the woodwork to put a stop to Blackwell's plans… but the miraculous happened, and the same Terrorist blew that pesky lawyer to kingdom come.
And now, SouthTown PD was all but cleared to take down America's most powerful crime lord. Sheriff Blackwell had everyone's support. His old Drug Enforcement Agency buddies had supplied him with all the Riot Gear, drone footage, and firearms he needed. The Federal agents (including CIA) had arrived to provide additional air support, and had pinned Geese down, a measure to prevent the rat from escaping into some hole. Helicopters had been strafing the skies for the past week and all reports said Geese Howard was in there... Hiding?
No, tha' ol Goose won't run. He's too proud to. He's Waitin' fer me 'n there.
As such, Sheriff Blackwell was excitedly awaiting the day of the operation. It was going to be the crowning achievement of his career. It was meant to be his final glory before he went into retirement. He had been fired exactly 6 days ago, and tomorrow was his last and only chance to bring Geese Howard to his knees.
So all day today, he had drawn plans. He had bouyed the spirits of his men - gave them real hope that Geese Howard was finally going to fall. Lots of crooked cops had straightened out, at least temporarily. The sight of the overwhelming forces arrayed against the Crime Lord were enough to make them forget the bribes they had been paid. As such, Blackwell - with the full support of his department, and superiors - had high hopes. He had been in the garage checking all the equipment he'd procured from his DEA buddies, when he got a call from the powers on high.
A most enraging call indeed.
"You're the ones who don't damn understand! Imma 'boutta take down 'Merica's biggest crime organization fer murderin' one o' yer own, and you wanna stop me? Don't tell me dat ol' snake has control ova the Feds too! You, yellow bellied cowards! Why didjya flip? huh?"
Blackwell ground his teeth as he stood in amongst the police vehicles in SouthTown PD's underground parking lot. He gnawed his cigar and glared angrily into the darkness. Across the line, the CIA messenger was completely undisturbed by his violent reaction.
Blackwell had seen this before. He'd seen the red-tape of bureaucracy become so thick, that it not only obstructed justice, but flipped it on it's head. He had dealt with it for fifteen years as a DEA Agent, and now - as Sheriff - he was dealing with it again.
With everything going so perfectly in this operation's setup, Blackwell - who wasn't a superstitious man by any means- was beginning to think the universe was seeking justice upon Geese Howard, and he was it's agent. Everything had just come together so perfectly. HCon's Legal department had been stripped. Howard's enemies were arrayed against him…
But on the turn of a dime, everything fell to pieces, and now after everything had been hashed out behind the scenes, Blackwell was being delivered notice.
Geese Howard… how did you do it, y'old snake? Dammit!
The man over the phone continued with a cool authority. Blackwell gnashed his way through his cigar.
*I see you don't intend to follow orders quietly, Blackwell. But allow me to warn you now, the command has already gone out to the federal troops. Should you intend to raid Howard Connection's Headquarters tomorrow morning, expect the air support about the building to be deployed against you.*
"Yer thretenin' me? You bastards would even attack police troops? Damn Bureaucratic scum."
*And- in the event Howard Connection calls on the police to assist with any -other- unsavories attempting to fulfill your mission on your behalf, the Central Intelligence Agency fully expects SouthTown Police Department to respond. You're to defend Howard Connection.*
The Sheriff trembled in rage. Not only was his operation, his justice, being thrown under the wheels of bureaucracy - but he was being forced to actively assist his enemy? Was this some sort of cruel joke?! Blackwell growled into the receiver.
"You dirty CIA shits…"
*Say what you will Sheriff. But know we have our eyes on you. Don't make any decisions you'll come to regret.*
Boof