Chapter 743: Chapter 483: The Greater the Storm, the Higher the Price of Fish

Early the next morning, in the Congress Building, the atmosphere in the office of Hakeem, the leader of the Democratic Party, was tense.

Gazing at the on-site report and surveillance video brought by his subordinates, Hakeem’s expression was gloomy enough to drip water.

Barnes has been abducted!

Right in the heart of Washington, right under their noses!

All the meticulous arrangements made previously were completely undone.

Moreover, this isn’t just about losing a crucial asset.

The safe house was extremely concealed; fewer than ten people knew its location. He suspected there was a mole in the team! Someone had betrayed him!

"Investigate! Find out who did it!"

Hakeem slammed the report onto the table and snapped, "What about the surveillance? All clues, including vehicles and personnel nearby, should not be overlooked!"

"Boss... we’ve already sent people to the police station to understand the situation. The other party is very professional, avoided most cameras, and used a vehicle with fake plates..." the subordinate reported bravely.

Suppressing his anger, Hakeem interrupted, "I don’t want to hear these excuses! Immediately investigate everyone who knows about that safe house location, everyone! Including Aguilar!"

"Yes... yes, sir!" the subordinate quickly bowed his head in response.

"Don’t count on those incompetents at the police station! Use our connections at the Department of Homeland Security to get them involved in the investigation."

Hakeem, with a stern face, continued to instruct, "Their movements were so quick; it must have been premeditated. It’s very likely the person hasn’t left Washington yet!"

"Yes, I’ll contact them right away."

The subordinate paused and hesitated, saying, "If we involve people from the Department of Homeland Security, I’m afraid it won’t be easy to keep it under wraps. Won’t the Republicans sense something..."

"You idiot! Can’t you conceal Barnes’ identity?"

Inwardly, the subordinate felt exasperated and wanted to retort, conceal your mother selling pretzels. First, you want them to find someone, then conceal their identity—is this a joke?

But he only dared to curse inwardly and finally bowed, responding, "Yes, I’ll handle it properly."

Hakeem irritably gestured for him to hurry up and go.

After the subordinate left, Hakeem walked to the window, looking at the office diagonally opposite.

With Barnes missing, there must be someone causing trouble within the party. The only one he could still trust might be Greenfield, after all, it was him who brought the person back.

But this thought just flashed briefly.

There’s no absolute trust in politics.

He picked up the phone on his desk and dialed a number.

A few minutes later, Greenfield pushed the door open and came in.

"Sit down." Hakeem pointed to the chair opposite the desk, his previous rage now replaced only by fatigue.

Greenfield sat down, frowning, "I just got the news, Hakeem, this is terrible. We only just managed to keep Barnes under control."

"Yes, absolutely terrible."

Hakeem interlocked his fingers on the desk, staring at Greenfield, "That safe house is extremely concealed; I’m very puzzled as to how those people found it."

"Barnes was taken from the place we trust the most. Where do you think the problem lies?"

He didn’t ask directly, but the implication in his words was very clear.

Greenfield met his gaze without a hint of avoidance and replied bluntly, "I think we have an internal issue!"

He understood well that Hakeem was testing his reaction, so at moments like these, he couldn’t avoid the subject or show any signs of guilt; otherwise, he’d reveal weakness.

Greenfield took a deep breath, a mixture of anger and worry on his face, "Hakeem, I don’t want to say this, but the facts are evident."

"Only a handful of core members within the party know of that location. Now that Barnes is missing, either we have a traitor among us, or the guards were infiltrated or happened upon an accident."

"But considering the precision and speed of their actions, the likelihood of someone internally providing information is very high."

Hakeem had been observing his reactions; seeing his statement, he nodded subconsciously.

"Someone internally providing information... The scope you mention seems a bit broad."

"The people who know that place are just a few. Who do you think, among them, is most likely to be the traitor?"

Hakeem stopped beating around the bush. Since Greenfield was being so forthright, he might as well directly throw out the most pointed question.

Hearing this, Greenfield stared straight at Hakeem, looking troubled.

Hakeem stared back at him, his meaning clear—you must give me this answer.

The office fell into silence. Greenfield seemed to be making a difficult choice. After a long while, he finally and slowly uttered a name: "Aguilar."

Hakeem raised an eyebrow but didn’t interrupt, gesturing for him to continue.

"I am not speaking without basis."

Greenfield leaned forward, lowering his voice, "I’ve reported to you what he did to me. He not only wanted me dead in Guatemala but also tried to stop me from bringing Barnes back. I believe Aguilar is no longer aligned with us."

"He’s likely already secretly aligned with certain factions within the Republican Party."

A pained expression of betrayal crossed Greenfield’s face, "Hakeem, think about it. With Barnes missing, who benefits the most?"

"If the confinement of Barnes is exposed, our Democratic Party will be embroiled in a massive political scandal! And as the party leader, you will also bear the brunt of the most severe attacks, with them even pushing you to step down!"

"At that point, who will naturally step up to take over everything in the Democratic Party? It’s Aguilar!"