Landlord in the Arctic-Chapter 99: State Troopers

But Frank was insistent on the phone.

"Yes, there absolutely was illegal poaching. And it was an extremely brutal case of it."

"Morris trespassed into the Crown Territory without permission to poach valuable reindeer."

"As the owner of the Crown Territory, and also as its Sheriff, you tracked the poacher, Morris, over a great distance, finally catching him near Kivalina and discovering the reindeer carcass in a cave."

"During the arrest, the poacher Morris fired at the Sheriff. You were forced to return fire. After being captured, Morris viciously attacked you with a dagger. Is his mouth okay?"

"It’s fine, he can still talk..." Feng Mountain answered honestly.

"Wrong. He hit his mouth on a rock during the ambush and can’t speak," Frank cut in, interrupting Feng Mountain.

"Alright, so his mouth is injured. What’s next?" Feng Mountain went along with it and asked for more advice.

"Of course, you take him back to the Crown Territory for investigation. According to federal law, since you, as the Sheriff, caught him first and have the evidence, you have the right to bring him back to the Crown Territory for investigation. The state troopers have no jurisdiction to stop you."

"And as for the case with the Kivalina girl, that investigation can only be reopened after the illegal trespassing and poaching case is closed. Thank federal law, buddy!"

After hearing Frank’s strategy, it was a revelation for Feng Mountain.

’If I can get Morris back to the Crown Territory, I have a hundred ways to deal with him.’

"I get it. Thanks!"

"No, you don’t get it. Federal law is law made for the rich. And you’re not just rich, you’re a landowner. You should study federal law properly and use it to protect yourself."

"With you around, do I need to study federal law?"

"Buddy, that compliment just saved you a hefty lawyer’s fee." Frank was clearly enjoying Feng Mountain’s casual praise.

Feng Mountain remembered Louise’s request. "There’s one more thing. Kivalina invited me to be their public safety officer. What do you think?"

"What do I think? I’m not losing any sleep over it. If it benefits you, go for it. The Far North Region is just too chaotic—violent criminals, drunks, gamblers, and junkies everywhere. It’s a conspiracy by the American Government. As a member of the Independent Party, I will definitely protest this. Protest their discrimination against the Indigenous People."

After saying that, Frank gave his advice in a serious tone.

"I think you should give it a try. Most of the people living in the Far North Tundra are Indigenous. Gaining a good reputation would be beneficial for you and for the Crown Territory. The Crown Territory is part of the Tundra, after all."

"I really like a quote from a great man in your country: ’We must unite the power of the people.’"

"Got it! See you at the Indigenous conference." Having gotten his answer, Feng Mountain hung up the phone decisively.

「Fairbanks.」

Frank lay on his bed, phone in hand, lost in thought. ’Never mind all that, what did Feng mean by that last sentence?’

’See you at the Indigenous conference.’

’What conference?’

’Could it be the Indigenous Elders and Youth Conference?’

’Who invited him to this conference?’

Frank immediately pulled out his cell phone and made a call.

...

「The next morning.」

The sun had not yet fully risen. The horizon glowed a faint orange-red, gradually chasing away the gloom of the night.

A thin mist hung in the cold air, casting a mysterious veil over the entire Ice Sea.

On the sea’s surface, floes of ice pressed and collided with one another, making sharp, cracking sounds.

A few seabirds flew past in a group, their cries sounding somewhat desolate in the quiet morning.

Two planes streaked across the Kivalina sky, the roar of their engines shattering the morning tranquility of the small town.

As the planes slowly descended, their tires screeched against the ground with violent friction, and the snow on the runway was sent flying everywhere by the air currents.

The cabin door, marked with the three letters "AST," slowly pushed open. Four state troopers wearing AST epaulets and cold-weather gear stepped out of the plane one by one.

"Bullshit, it’s freezing here. Anyone got a pair of gloves I can borrow?"

"Told you to get your cold-weather gear ready. Here."

"Why is no one here to pick us up? Fuck, I’ve still got five cases waiting to be investigated. This weekend is shot. I promised Suzy I’d take her hunting."

"Both of you, shut up. Someone’s coming."

The chief among them saw someone appear at the airport entrance and turned to remind his chattering colleagues.

Louise and Old Swan heard the sound of the planes and knew the state troopers from Fairbanks had arrived. They threw on their coats and hurried out.

When the two groups met, the chief asked impatiently.

"Hello, ma’am. I’m Chief Wright of the Alaska State Troopers. You reported a sexual assault suspect. Where is the suspect now?"

"God, you have the nerve to ask us about the suspect? We called you yesterday morning, and you’re only just arriving now? Are you here to see Morris off?"

Old Swan gave a humorless laugh, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Hey, buddy, watch your tone," one of the troopers said, glaring at Old Swan.

Chief Wright waved his hand, signaling his partner not to speak. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

’It’s one thing to be impatient, but don’t add fuel to the fire. These Indigenous People might not be good at dealing with criminals, but they absolutely dare to attack officers.’

’Last year, two colleagues were shot in the back by the local Indigenous People because they couldn’t solve a crime. Now they’re lying in a hospital, needing a nurse to help them piss and shit.’

"I’m sorry, ma’am. You know the troopers are understaffed. Over a hundred more colleagues have resigned this year. I hope you can understand. I’ve already put many other cases on hold to come here and handle this matter ahead of schedule."

"Thanks, but that won’t be necessary. Our town’s public safety officer has already captured Morris. You can go back now," Louise responded coolly to Chief Wright.

’A public safety officer?’

Chief Wright was confused. He hadn’t heard that Kivalina had successfully applied for a Village Public Safety Officer (VPSO). Not only had Kivalina not gotten one, but all applications from the entire Far North Region had been shelved.

’Unless Kivalina, like the Indigenous Tribes in the south, has formed a council of tribal elders to handle suspects independently. But Kivalina isn’t on an Indigenous Reserve.’

"Ma’am, I hope you’re prepared to take responsibility for your words. Without an investigation from us, you can’t carry out a private punishment on the suspect."

"First, I’ll take you to see the victim." Louise had already lost all hope in this group of troopers.

The group arrived at Maria’s house.

After a night of rest, Maria’s condition had improved significantly. The swelling and bruises on her face had mostly subsided, and her physical injuries were lessened, but the psychological trauma remained.

A female trooper took out a notebook and began reopening Maria’s nightmare.

As she reached the end of her recollection, Maria screamed as if she were going mad.

"That’s enough! I’ve already told you, we don’t need the troopers’ involvement now!" Louise angrily stopped the continued questioning.

The female trooper shrugged and looked at Chief Wright.

"Chief, based on the injury examination, there was indeed an attempted sexual assault and battery. Even though he didn’t succeed, it still meets the standard for a D-Level felony."

In the United States, state criminal laws generally classify felonies into five levels, ranked by severity: A, B, C, D, and E.

The penalties for each felony class vary from state to state.

Generally, the maximum penalty for an A-Level felony is death or life imprisonment; for a B-Level felony, the maximum sentence is 30 years in prison; for a C-Level, 15 years; for a D-Level, 7 years; and for an E-Level, 4 years.

Chief Wright nodded.

The injury assessment was complete, essentially confirming the nature of the case.

"Mayor Louise, where is the suspect? I need to take him back for investigation. For trash like him, prison is the best place to be."

"He’s at the inn, under the watch of our public safety officer. I don’t think it’s necessary to disturb them. We’ll handle it ourselves," Louise objected again.

’Blocking me once, twice, and now a third time. Something is definitely wrong here.’

This pushed Chief Wright to his limit. His expression made it clear that if she refused again, he’d take her with him too.

"Mayor, you need to be clear about this. A public safety officer’s role is merely to assist in managing the community. They have no right to imprison or interrogate a suspect. You have already violated federal law."

"Now. I. Need. You. To. Take. Me. To. See. The. Suspect. OKAY?!"

...