The conversation with the police commissioner only lasted for a short ten minutes, but Merlin felt as if he had suddenly aged ten years.

He was well aware of the mayor’s intention for him to retire early, and even if he had not pushed the blame onto him directly, in the eyes of the public, he would still be the one taking the fall for it.

Letting Merlin retire early was a punishment for him.

When the time came, they would then exaggerate Merlin’s contribution to New York and subtly relay the