Law America, the Devil's Agent

After a phone call, Klaus set off with Link.

After providing a reasonable case plan, both Klaus and his employer had already approved of Link.

Therefore, they agreed to the request to meet in person.

This was also Link's idea; he was throwing out a pretext to get to the person behind the scenes.

And now he knew that this gentleman was the owner of several shipping companies:

Samuel Winthrop.

His residence is located in Chestnut Hill, a northwestern suburb of Philadelphia, about a 40-minute drive from downtown.

Link sat in the Klaus car, driving from the dilapidated public roads to the neat and spacious private driveway, finally stopping in front of a Georgian Revival-style stone mansion.

The exterior is made of light gray limestone, with black louvered windows tightly closed, and four tall white columns stand in the porch.

This is a mansion that doesn't flaunt its wealth.

After Klaus reported

The butler led them to the second-floor reception room.

In this living room, oak bookshelves stretch from floor to ceiling, and the fireplace burns brightly.

A middle-aged man in his forties, wearing a gray suit and a dark blue tie, stood in front of the fireplace.

The employer was Samuel Winthrop.

His face exuded an air of sophistication and the rugged features of a business tycoon, yet at this moment, weariness was palpable between his brows.

A woman with flaxen hair, a pearl necklace, and red-rimmed eyes stood beside him.

That was his wife, Margaret Winthrop.

When Klaus led Link into the library, the couple seemed to have just finished a quiet conversation.

Klaus stepped forward to greet him, then gestured for Link to come forward.

"Mr. Samuel, Mrs. Margaret, this is Attorney Link from Curtiss Law Firm."

He has a complete plan regarding Ella's case.

Samuel glanced at Link, extended his hand, and shook it firmly but with restraint.

"Attorney Link, would you be willing to take this case?"

"I do, sir."

Link shook hands with her, his tone steady.

"You are an ambitious young man."

"My ambition is to become the best lawyer and better solve problems for my clients."

  

Samuel nodded slightly, released his grip, took a photograph from the bookshelf, and handed it to Link.

That's a complete photo of Ella before she was abducted.

"We've been looking for her for almost twenty years."

Samuel's voice was calm:

"Every year on her birthday, I take out this photo. I wonder how tall she is now, how she's doing..."

I deeply regret being so busy back then and not spending enough time with her; I never imagined it would become a lifelong regret.

"My husband means..."

Margaret spoke, her voice trembling slightly.

"I understand how you both feel."

Link put the photo back on the desktop and said calmly.

"But before we discuss anything else, let's know one thing:

This case is no longer a heartwarming story; it's a legal battle.

As two people involved in the business world, they should know that this is no different from those business confrontations.

If we want to win, we must be prepared for a tough battle!

The library was silent for a few seconds.

Samuel looked at Link, and a long-lost, almost forgotten hope slowly resurfaced in his eyes.

"Klaus mentioned your first step of the idea to me."

That's why I decided to see you.

You're not one to talk big; your plan is logical. Now that you've seen me, please continue.

"Yes, sir."

Link adjusted his posture slightly and began to speak.

"My overall plan is to proceed in three steps, each step of which is based on a strict legal framework, while minimizing political and public opinion risks."

"The first step is the resetting of the public opinion narrative framework that I just mentioned, and I will not repeat it again."

In short, DeShawn, a gangster with a history of violent crimes, subjected Ella to long-term physical and psychological abuse.

We intervened under the pretext of protecting an abused woman and her minor children from a violent family.

Under Section 6102 of Title 23 of the Pennsylvania Protection from Abuse Act, any individual or organization that becomes aware of abuse has the right to apply to the court for an emergency habeas corpus.

This is the core narrative of our indictment.

He paused, letting the framework settle in the Samuels' minds.

Samuel nodded slowly: "Continue."

"The second step is to legally contact Ella to obtain her written testimony and apply for a habeas corpus."

Link raises his second finger:

"This is the most crucial part of the entire plan."

Any subsequent legal action, whether it be divorce proceedings, custody decisions, or criminal charges, will require Ella herself to provide first-person testimony as a party involved.

"But the problem is, it has been proven that if we send people to their door, they will be violently driven away by DeShawn."

Forcibly entering would trigger a violent reaction from the other party and could even endanger Ella's safety.

Klaus, as one of the actors, raised questions at appropriate times.

"So how do we contact her?"

Upon hearing this, Margaret eagerly pressed for more information.

"Our candidate is a social worker."

A Black female social worker, affiliated with the municipal child welfare department, made home visits under the guise of a public welfare project offering free developmental screenings for children from low-income or disadvantaged families.

Link's voice was steady and precise:

According to Title 63 of the Pennsylvania Juvenile Act:

For families with criminal records or at risk of domestic violence, child welfare agencies have the right to conduct regular home visits.

No matter how arrogant DeShawn is, he wouldn't dare to openly beat and expel a municipal social worker!

Because that would be tantamount to inviting the CPS (Child Protection Society) to their doorstep, directly confirming the accusation of "child neglect." Once the CPS launches an investigation, the child's temporary guardianship will be immediately transferred.

Klaus nodded:

"I will arrange the social workers. They should be locals from the North District, have a good reputation, and have a genuine and reliable identity."

Link nodded and continued:

"The social worker has only one goal: to create opportunities for one-on-one time with Ella during home visits, even if it's just for a few minutes."

In those three minutes, the social worker needs to do three things.

First, inform Ella that aid has arrived and she is not alone.

Second, ask her if she is willing to leave the family!

If she is willing, she can sign a habeas corpus application on the spot and write down in her own hand the specific facts of DeShawn's domestic violence and restriction of her personal freedom.

Third, the entire process is witnessed by social workers, who sign, affix fingerprints, and note the time and place.

This document is legally valid and can serve as the direct basis for the court to issue an emergency protection order.

Samuel leaned forward slightly: "Won't DeSean become suspicious?"

"meeting."

Link readily admitted:

But he couldn't stop it.

Because this project is ostensibly for children's health screening, refusing to cooperate is tantamount to refusing to provide medical services to children!

In Pennsylvania, this in itself could be a separate reason for CPS intervention.

If he refuses, that's a good opportunity for us to intervene.

His congressman uncle, Clemons, happens to be a public supporter of these kinds of charitable projects.

Ironically, his campaign website was filled with slogans like "Caring for children and supporting family health services."

If his nephew openly obstructs us, that would provide us with a second round of public opinion ammunition.

Everyone nodded in agreement after listening to Link's analysis.

Whether they succeed or fail, they will have an excuse to gain an advantage in the subsequent court proceedings.

"Step three."

Link raised his third finger: "Cut off DeShawn's external protection. The core target is Senator Clemons."

Samuel frowned: "You're going to target the congressman himself?"

"No. Taking action against the legislator himself is a poor strategy and would trigger unnecessary political backlash. We cannot do that unless absolutely necessary."

Link shook his head:

What we need to do is make him choose to cut ties voluntarily.

Clemons was able to climb to his position on the City Council’s Public Safety Committee not because of gang connections, but because of the alliance between North Side votes and municipal interest groups.

He sheltered DeShawn simply because DeShawn hadn't yet caused him any unmanageable trouble, and the gang could also serve as his black glove.

But our mission is to make DeShawn the biggest problem of his political career.

Let this black glove be exposed to the sunlight.

Link pulled a network diagram of DeShawn's relationships from the file folder and spread it out on the coffee table.

"AnDun's preliminary investigation has yielded multiple pieces of evidence against DeShawn:"

Illegal trafficking of controlled drugs, illegal possession of firearms, interstate transportation of stolen goods, and intimidation of witnesses.

The aspect of "interstate travel" is quite crucial.

Because once interstate crime is involved, jurisdiction no longer belongs to the Philadelphia Police Department, but to the federal law enforcement agency ATF, or even the U.S. Attorney's Office.

If federal law enforcement agencies launch an investigation into DeShawn, Clemons has only two options:

He publicly endorsed his nephew, risking being implicated in a federal investigation.

Or, remain silent and sever ties.

Link raised his head, his eyes calm and sharp.

"A politician's Achilles' heel is his political future."

Clemons wouldn't risk his political future for a nephew.

What we need to do is compile DeShawn's chain of evidence into a complete federal whistleblower report and submit it through federal channels at the appropriate time.

The point was to let Clemons know that if he dared to interfere in Ella's case, this material would be sent to both federal prosecutors and the media.

The firewood in the fireplace crackled with a crisp sound.

Samuel looked at Link, his gaze now filled with an indescribable respect:

"Your three steps are excellent; your understanding of the law and your political awareness are quite sharp."

"So I'm standing here, sir," Link said.

Samuel's lips curled up slightly.

"In addition to these three steps, there are three auxiliary matters that require your authorization." Link held up three fingers.

"First, I want to make formal contact with Ella's adoptive mother, Gloria Washington."

Upon hearing the word "foster mother," Margaret became suddenly agitated:

"The woman who bought the child?"

We should send her to prison!

Both the buyer and seller are guilty, so why bother talking to her?

"Madam, your anger is entirely justified."

Link's tone was calm and respectful:

"But Gloria Washington played a special role in this case."

She was a direct participant in the purchase of trafficked children, DeShawn's aunt, and currently the only living member of the entire trafficking chain with a criminal record.

Legally speaking, she is guilty of human trafficking under Section 2904 of the Pennsylvania Criminal Code.

Unfortunately for both of you, the statute of limitations has expired.

We can no longer prosecute her under criminal law.

Link paused slightly, allowing the fact to settle.

"But that doesn't mean she has no value."

It is precisely because she is DeShawn's aunt that she has a voice within the family, and according to Anton's investigation, she is currently in dire financial straits!

She could be a weak link that we can exploit.

If she can cooperate with us and provide evidence of Ella's illegal upbringing and forced marriage.

Even testifying in court could legally expose the well-intentioned lie that the Washington family "voluntarily raised abducted children," revealing it as the criminal act of "knowingly purchasing and controlling abducted children illegally!"

Samuel asked in a deep voice, "But why would she cooperate with us?"

Link met his gaze:

"For profit, sir."

This is the second thing.

I need you to initiate a public tender for a family trust fund for a research contract targeting the community college administration system.

On the surface, it was a charitable grant, but in reality, it was a well-paid consulting job tailored specifically for Gloria.

This is a strategic attempt to induce and bribe.

She had no children, and Ella was the only "retirement security" she had ever bought. Now, with her husband gone, that security had been forgotten by DeShawn.

She no longer had much use to this family, and a stable source of income was an irresistible bargaining chip for her.

Once she accepts the contract, we have several ways to get her to testify.

Samuel and Margaret exchanged a glance.

Margaret's lips pressed into a thin line, but this time she did not refute.

She still hates the woman who bought her child, but she has come to understand Link's intention to use her as a pawn.

"The third thing."

Link raised his last finger, his tone softening slightly, but still cruel:

"You need to be prepared to accept the fact that Nancy Washington may not want to 'be' Ira Winthrop."

Margaret's lips trembled slightly.

"I'm not saying she doesn't want to leave that marriage."

Link added, "I mean she probably doesn't want to change her name back."

After all, she had lived under another identity for nearly twenty years. Her son called her Nancy Mom, and all her knowledge was formed in that Black community environment.

After we brought her out, the first question she faced was, "Who am I?"

If she says, "I don't want to change it back to Winthrop," or "I want to keep the name Nancy," can you accept that outcome?

Let her be an independent individual.

The silence in the room lasted for a long time.

Samuel was the one who spoke first.

"We just wanted her to know that she has a home. A home that never gave up on her from the beginning."

Whether she can come back, or whether she wants to come back, is her own choice.

But we should at least give her a choice.

In the nearly twenty years of her life, no one has ever cared whether she wanted to or not.

Margaret didn't speak, but simply turned her face away and pressed her knuckles to the corner of her eye.

Link looked at her and waited a moment. Then he closed the file folder in front of him and stood up.

"That's enough."

The plan is complete; close coordination is required for its execution.

AnDun is responsible for manpower and social worker arrangements.

The Winthrop family was responsible for launching the trust fund channel.

I will be responsible for drafting all legal documents and coordinating with federal channels.

Klaus, who was in charge of the operation, finally spoke:

"The plan is very comprehensive."

But there's a problem:

How can we ensure that DeShawn's gang members won't retaliate against Ella after his arrest?

"Won't you cause trouble for the Winthrop family?"

Link picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip of the slightly cooled Earl Grey tea, and looked up.

His lips curled slightly upward, a relaxed smile. A devilish nonchalance, as if he already knew the answer to the question.

"It's simple, dead people won't cause any more trouble."