PRI Chapter 14: I Just Want to Make a Friend with Franklins

[Avery Tucker]

[Identity: CCA Inspector]

[Rating: 39 (Level C)]

[Skills: Advanced Marksmanship, Intermediate Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Intermediate Driving]

[Weakness: Loves billiards]

This was the first time Lind had seen a character panel for someone outside the prison.

No loyalty rating, but everything else was there.

Especially the weakness entry, which undoubtedly opened a window for Lind who was already planning to make connections.

So after finishing dinner and inspecting the prison, Lind immediately invited Avery to play billiards together.

In Border Prison's gym, besides fitness equipment, there happened to be a billiards table.

This was one of Old Edward's few legitimate hobbies.

Now it finally came in handy.

Lind planned to expand and renovate this place later, making it into private rooms.

He would also add venues for pool, badminton, bowling, tennis and the like.

Going out to play would always risk bad publicity, but in prison he was in charge.

Then he could entertain various wealthy merchants or state government dignitaries in the prison.

This would surely be of great help to his business dealings.

While thinking about future arrangements, he played billiards with Avery.

Due to Old Edward's training since childhood, Lind's technique was good.

He appeared evenly matched with Avery on the surface, but actually helped Avery get the cue ball into good positions at crucial moments.

This allowed Avery to make winning shots in the final ball or two every time, winning quite enjoyably.

This also made their relationship much more familiar than at the beginning.

During billiards, they kept drinking.

So by the end of the game, Avery was already slightly intoxicated.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Lind finally spoke, "Avery, what a pity, you have to leave tomorrow."

"Yes, what a pity. Honestly, I haven't had this much fun in a long time." Avery took a sip from his wine glass.

"So for the sake of our friendship, I must show you something good."

After speaking, Lind got up and took out a leather bag from the cabinet, placing it on the table.

"What's this?" Avery curiously lifted the bag opening with his hand, only to discover two stacks of crisp Franklins inside.

He was startled, "What the hell, Edward, what does this mean?"

Lind smiled, "Nothing else, Avery, this is a symbol of friendship."

Avery fell silent for a moment, seeming to struggle internally.

Twenty thousand dollars, while not much for state government officials, was really a lot for an inspector like him.

Usually when searching CCA prisons, he only received a few hundred dollars in hardship fees each time. He had never encountered someone so generous.

At this moment, Lind's heart actually ached quite a bit, but he thought very clearly.

For all major private prisons, inspectors were the government officials they dealt with most on a daily basis.

Although these people didn't hold high positions in the government system, they could accomplish many things.

For example, annual reviews, handling of emergencies, and approval of various applications.

It could be said that Lind would inevitably have to deal with Avery in the future.

Not to mention what he was about to do, wanting to legally and reasonably dispose of 1 prisoner and 1 guard.

He had to get Avery's cooperation to properly resolve this without attracting government attention.

And as long as Avery agreed, whenever there were any developments in the federal prison system, he would know immediately.

Therefore Lind said, "Don't be like that, Avery, I just want to make friends with you. You're an excellent inspector, very professional, and I like dealing with professional people."

"As for this friendship, it's just a small investment in a friend."

After hesitating, Avery looked up at Lind, "Speak frankly, Edward, what do you want me to do? I don't have that much influence."

Hearing this, Lind knew it was done.

He crossed his legs and put his wine glass aside, "Avery, I know that as a military man, you have your principles. So as a friend, I won't force you to do anything difficult."

"I just want to know how you'll rate my prison."

Avery breathed a sigh of relief, "If it's just that, these aren't really necessary..."

Although he said this, he didn't push the leather bag back.

"I'll report the prison's situation truthfully, and as for the rating, I think excellent should be no problem."

After searching prisons, state corrections inspectors would write a report.

This report affected the prison's evaluation within the government system.

"That's good." Lind smiled, "To be honest, the reason I value this rating is because I need to apply to the government for this year's and next year's prisoner detention fees."

When federal prisons distribute annual funding, they prioritize based on private prisons' internal evaluations.

Prisons with high internal evaluations could receive funding first.

While prisons with low evaluations had to wait.

After all, government appropriations couldn't possibly be distributed on time.

Avery understood, "No problem, I can give the prison the highest rating and help speed up the funding approval. In fact, I also think your prison can accommodate more prisoners."

"Thank you, but I'm not talking entirely about minor offenders."

Lind revealed his true intention, "Of the remaining 258 beds, I need to detain at least 150 serious offenders."

Since he wanted to make money, naturally he should go big!

The subsidy for 1 serious offender equaled 2 minor offenders, so 150 serious offenders equaled 300 minor offenders.

This was the only legal way for Lind to extract a large sum of money from the government given his prison's small scale.

Hearing this, Avery couldn't help but frown.

"But to detain so many serious offenders, the prison's security level must keep up, and the prison currently has too few guards, and the equipment is also..."

"Don't worry, Avery, the prisoners won't all come at once. I'll quickly expand the guard force to 30 people and equip them with better police equipment." Lind patted his chest in guarantee.

"I won't let riot incidents happen again. You can come inspect anytime, and if it's not up to standard, I'm willing to accept punishment."

Hearing this, Avery felt somewhat reassured, but his expression was still hesitant.

Lind leaned forward and said in a low voice, "Avery, put your mind at ease. I'm not like those CCA guys who only consider profit. I plan to expand this prison in the future, utilizing all the surrounding land. I just temporarily lack some startup capital, and I won't put you in difficult positions in the future."

Avery was about to speak when he suddenly looked around.

"Haha, don't worry." Lind looked around, "It's very quiet here, the walls are solid, no one will know about our conversation."

After speaking, he picked up his wine glass and placed it in front of Avery.

Avery instinctively picked up his own glass.

"Clink!"

The two glasses lightly touched, and the red liquid rippled in several circles.

"Then, happy cooperation."

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