New Gods of North America

After leaving Mr. Russell's manor, Wayne, with one of the signed contracts and an initial payment check for $2,000, made a detour to the cathedral.

Since he was already here,

he might as well drop by.

By this time, the cathedral's sermons for the day were over, and it had returned to its usual quiet yet solemn atmosphere.

Wayne explained his purpose to the monk in the side hall and was quickly guided towards Tom Hagen's office.

The feeling Wayne got deep inside the cathedral was still the same as before. The burning sensation on Wayne's skin in the outer areas seemed to have weakened, but the unique sense of oppression and rejection deeper inside was still there, and even seemed stronger.

After waiting in Tom Hagen's office for a while,

he finally showed his face as if he had stolen a moment from his busy schedule. "Are you here to see me because you've encountered a problem?"

Wayne originally wanted to joke, "Can't I come if there's nothing wrong?" but felt it was a bit strange,

so he brought up the recent discovery that Pastor Pasiel seemed to be requiring wild extraordinaires to take specific potions for a long time.

He also mentioned that the detective agency had accepted the security commission for the steam train company's line, as a simple report.

"Potions?"

Tom Hagen frowned slightly. "I understand. I'll keep an eye out if David submits any potions for identification. Or you can arrange for someone to send them directly."

After talking briefly and confirming that there were no emergencies on Wayne's side,

Tom Hagen seemed to have other things to attend to and left again.

After making his presence known at the cathedral,

Wayne looked at the time and started his return journey.

Bringing the signed contract back to the detective agency,

the preparations for establishing an office were officially on the agenda.

Originally, Doug was a good candidate, but he had recently changed his mind. Although he still looked obedient, he seemed more willing to stay at the main base.

Forcing a melon is not sweet,

so the partners called Doug and Lane into the office for a small meeting, showed them the contract, and roughly explained the basic situation of the project using a map.

"According to the detective agency's rules, the detective agency will take 30% of the total contract amount. However, the client has only prepaid $2,000, and another $3,000 will be settled in four installments every three months, and the remaining $1,000 will be withheld until the final settlement."

"Due to the possibility of reverse deductions, for the sake of prudence, we plan to provide a budget of $1,000 for the preparation funds of the office first, which will be used for the possible rental of houses or the purchase of supplies and improvement of equipment, as well as the prepayment of part of the office members' salaries. Then, about $500 will be paid every three months. Of course, you can apply in time or in advance when there is a reasonable need."

"In principle, the funds of the office are managed and controlled by the person in charge of the office, and other office members have the right to supervise and advise. However, if a dispute occurs, the result needs to be confirmed by the detective agency, and members are not allowed to leave their posts without authorization or refuse to obey orders in emergencies. The office also does not have the power to remove detectives."

"After each annual settlement is completed, the overall funds will be distributed according to the proportion previously specified by the detective agency. If the detective agency has not participated too much, then 70% of the total profit will eventually be distributed to the office and its members. If the office arrests a wanted criminal, in principle, 30% of the profit must also be turned over."

In fact, Doug and Lane's extraordinary abilities are relatively special and not easy to replace in certain situations,

but there are not many suitable candidates with sufficient qualifications and comprehensive abilities at present.

We can only try it first.

"The initial staff size of the office is planned to be about ten people. The main tasks are to be responsible for daily line patrols and the handling of small-scale gangsters, as well as collecting relevant intelligence. If you encounter bandits or dangerous elements that are risky to clear, you can apply to the detective agency for support in time."

"As for the specific members of the office, the person in charge of the office can initially choose and negotiate privately within the detective agency, and the detective agency will assign them if needed. If those few people who just came from Kanx City are determined to stay, they still need to familiarize themselves with the detective agency for a while, but they can also go there later to replenish manpower."

"Other members can be included in the scope of consideration, but the final list must be approved by the partners. Currently, the detective agency is considering you two as the persons in charge of the office. You can consider and communicate with each other for a few days. In principle, the office will officially enter the working state next month."

The detective agency's manpower is not particularly large, and it feels a bit hurt to send out ten people at once,

but many steam train lines are in the wilderness, and it won't work if there are too few people. The actual combat power is one thing, but if it doesn't look big enough, many gangsters might want to "try it," which would only increase the workload.

Fortunately, the investigation task at the academy does not seem to be particularly urgent now.

At least the possibility of a direct firefight is not high. Pastor Pasiel has not been secretly feeding people medicine for a day or two, and it doesn't feel like it will have a big impact if the investigation is slower.

"Building Manager" Macken Reeves was studied in the detective agency for a day.

Strangely enough, other than the disappearance of "Macken," he did not have any other obvious symptoms.

Two of the personalities have already jumped out and said part of the situation.

The one who is easier to talk to at present is "Washington." He is generally more rational, civilized, and refined.

However, "Kanx" is the one who reveals more useful information. Linna has initially grasped the pattern. If you praise him and stroke his fur, he can't help but reveal some things himself.

However, you can't just go along with "Kanx" when communicating with him. You have to beat him up first and then stroke his fur. Praise him when you should, and bare your teeth at him when you should, otherwise he will become difficult to communicate with.

As for the other personalities, Inisa and Linna have also initially noticed them after this period of contact,

but two "informants" are enough at present, so everyone tacitly pretends not to know, which is considered respect for personal privacy.

Seth has been taking Peter the Coward and several detectives these days and has also initially dug up some of the previous "handlers."

If you want to find reporters to secretly launch public opinion against Cohen Pharmaceuticals, the detective agency now has some information on hand,

but at most it can only be regarded as a "commercial scandal," not to the point where everyone is shouting and beating it.

There is still no progress on the black material about the academy church.

Wayne looked at the information that has been initially summarized and felt that Pastor Pasiel may really be the kind of "righteous messenger" who is white with a hint of gray.

Although his handling of "fallen people" and some things cannot be called glorious, and he may have earned some black money from it, overall it does not reach the point of being "bad."

He's a bit like a strict "parent" who, despite being biased and narrow-minded, can still perform his duties normally.

He will use his own methods to deal with things he can't stand, and some of his practices are not presentable, but there is no way to accuse him of being "guilty" right now.