January 25th.
Today is the day to bid farewell to Jones.
In the morning, Luke and others donned their neatly pressed police uniforms to escort Jones' hearse to the cetery.
In front of the convoy, two rows of police motorcycles paved the way, followed by hundreds of police cars, creating an imposing spectacle.
The convoy reached Mississippi Street, where a large number of police cars were parked on the right side of the highway, their lights flashing and sirens blaring, as if making a final farewell to Jones.
The convoy passed Vinason Square, where the billboard lit up with the Arican flag, and the officers stood in a row.
"Salute!"
In one swift movent, the officers raised their right hands in salute.
On this day, most gangs wisely ceased illegal activities, fearing to touch the sensitive nerves of the police.
Jones was killed in a gang retaliation, and if any gang mbers dared to cause trouble today, it would be a provocation to the entire Los Angeles Police Departnt.
Bobby Denara's fate had already set an example for them; police officers driven to madness could be more ruthless and vicious than gang mbers.
After arriving at the cetery, Jones was laid to rest, and Luke and others presented flowers, offering their final farewell to him.
At Jones' grave, Luke saw Jones' ex-wife, daughter, and her daughter's boyfriend, Larry McCain.
David stepped in front of Jones' daughter Mia Oliver, "Jones was a good man. We are all very sorry and miss him a lot.
He loved you a lot, though... he wasn't good at expressing it."
Mia Oliver, eyes red and voice choked, said, "I know..."
David looked towards Larry McCain beside her, "Why are you here?"
Larry McCain held onto Mia Oliver's shoulder, "I ca to accompany Mia. She's very sad, and I don't want her facing it alone.
Besides, I wanted to say goodbye to Mr. Oliver."
David stared at him, saying, "Kid, I know you're involved with gangs, and that might be why Jones didn't like you.
If you want to be with Mia, you'd better stay away from gangs."
Larry McCain nodded, "Sir, I'll seriously consider your advice."
David turned to Mia Oliver again, "Even though your father is gone, we, his colleagues, are still here. He took great care of us during his life, and we respected him a lot.
If you run into any trouble or difficulties in the future, you're always welco to co to the detective departnt and find us.
You know my phone number, right?"
"Yes, I know."
"Good. If anyone bullies you, call anyti."
"I will." Mia Oliver showed a grateful expression, "Thank you."
Not far away, the deputy stood beside Luke, sighing, "In fact, compared to dying on a hospital bed, I'd rather die in battle, at least I could leave this world gloriously."
Luke shrugged, "Deputy, that topic is a bit early for ."
The deputy pursed his lips, "Right, you can't really understand this feeling yet."
Luke said, "I thought you wouldn't co today."
"I really don't like these occasions.
But I've known Jones for many years, we're old friends, I had to co to see him off." The deputy said, then sighed lightly, lost in thought about sothing.
Luke looked towards the west side of the cetery, where a tall woman caught his attention. She was wearing a black long dress and a black veil, her face unclear but her figure graceful and her deanor elegant.
The deputy looked in the sa direction as Luke and said, "You noticed the woman too?
When Jones was buried, she was quietly watching the cetery but never went to offer flowers.
From my experience, she's a woman with a story."
Luke said casually, "Jones is divorced."
"So what? It's like no one else has ever been divorced." The deputy said indifferently.
During their conversation, the woman with the black veil sent a final deep glance toward the cetery, then turned and left.
Little Black noticed her too, and ca over to ask, "Who is that woman?"
The deputy suggested, "If you're curious, you can go ask her yourself."
Little Black shrugged, "I just felt she was sowhat unusual..."
Luke interrupted their random guesses, "Let's go, we still have work to do this afternoon."
…
Downtown Los Angeles.
Blue House Café.
A stylish and imposing customized Harley drove over and stopped beside the café, imdiately drawing a lot of attention.
Luke took off his helt and headed to Blue House Café.
The café was elegantly decorated, with a serene atmosphere, perfect for spending a leisurely afternoon.
Luke didn't enter the café but sat outside; at this mont, the sun was setting and a gentle breeze blew, making it a pleasure to enjoy coffee street-side.
Luke checked the nu and ordered two coffees, a dessert, and the sandwich recomnded by the staff.
The sandwich was served first; Luke cut a piece with his dining knife, tasted it, and found it quite good.
"Luke."
A voice ca from not far away.
Luke looked up; it was the female detective Orty, gracefully walking in a blue long dress with a model's stride.
Orty took off her gray sunglasses, sat across from Luke, and glanced at the watch on her wrist, "Thankfully, I wasn't late."
Luke laughed, "I ca early. I'm not used to keeping a lady waiting. I ordered a handmade coffee for you."
"Thanks, it's been a long ti since I ca here for coffee; I kind of miss it." Orty scanned her eyes around, "I like the vibe here. It's peaceful and easy-going, sitting here feels like all worries disappear."
Luke laughed, "Who wouldn't like it?
Maybe one day when I retire, I'll open a café like this too.
Have a cup of coffee, chat with soone, and enjoy the leisure of life."
The café staff ca over and placed the two coffees and a dessert on the table, "Enjoy."
"Thank you." Luke handed her a tip.
"Thank you, sir." The waitress smiled slightly, then left.
Luke took a sip of his coffee and nodded, "Hmm, I like this taste, very authentic."
Orty also tasted it, pursing her red lips, "It's still the sa taste.
No matter how good a coffee machine and beans you buy at ho, it's hard to make coffee that tastes like this."
Luke chuckled, "I thought you preferred black coffee."
Orty put the cup down, picked up a cookie, and laughed, "Trust , if it weren't for keeping my figure, no one would like drinking that stuff."
Luke smiled, "Why did you ask out today?"
Orty ate a cookie, clapping her hands, "Two things: First, I wanted to invite you for coffee, second, there's an assignnt proposal. I wanted to see if you were interested."
"Glad to have coffee with you, but as for the assignnt, forget it. I've been feeling a bit tired and want to rest for a while." After investigating the case of Jones' murder, Luke always felt a bit fatigued, though it was more of a ntal than physical tiredness.
"Since you're already here, why not hear what the assignnt is about? The commission fee is very attractive."
Luke shrugged, "Alright, I want to see if you can persuade ."
Orty took out a docunt and said, "The client is an Indian man whose daughter is studying in Los Angeles. Two days ago, he lost contact with her.
He is very worried about his daughter's safety, so he has hired us to find her."
Luke asked, "Why not call the police?"
"He's already called the police, and they've made a record, but he's worried the police might not be able to find his daughter.
So, he's willing to pay a commission of two hundred thousand US dollars, hoping our firm can quickly find his daughter."
Luke ate a pastry, "Honestly, I'm not very interested."
"Are you not satisfied with the commission?"
Luke shook his head, "It's not about the money.
It's just that I'm simply a bit tired and want to give myself a break.
Like today, having a cup of coffee and chatting with friends is quite nice too.
Isn't earning money ant to enjoy life?"
Orty laughed, "You're right, so today we won't talk about assignnts or work.
Just chatting and having so coffee."
They sipped coffee, chatting leisurely, watching the shadows on the street lengthen, quietly enjoying the sunset view.
...
Evening of February 5th.
zke Bar.
"Cheers!"
Many police officers gathered in the bar.
Deputy Chief Reid sat by the bar counter, turned sideways, gestured to everyone to settle down, and said, "Guys, I have sothing to announce."
Everyone turned their attention to him.
Reid cleared his throat, "As you all know, over a month ago, we lost Jones. He was a good man and a good cop." Reid raised his glass, "To Jones!"
"To Jones!"
The others also raised their glasses.
Reid clenched his fist, "The good news is, we captured Jones' killer, avenged him, and let him rest in peace.
As long as we stand together, we won't fear any threats."
Everyone around nodded.
Reid continued, "The Anti-Gang and Narcotics Division is one of the most important divisions in the police departnt. The captain's position can't remain vacant, so after careful consideration by the higher-ups, they have decided to appoint David as the acting captain of the First Squad of the Anti-Gang and Narcotics Division.
David, congratulations.
Say a few words to everyone."
"Thank you, Chief Reid." David smiled, looking a bit nervous as he faced everyone and said, "Also, thank you all. I'll make sure to do a good job in the Anti-Gang and Narcotics Division, giving a tough ti to those gangsters who dare show their fangs, letting them know whose turf Los Angeles is.
Uh, I an...
Tonight, drinks are on . Everyone, drink heartily."
"Yeah!"
"Haha, David's generous."
"Congratulations, Captain David."
"Thank you, Captain!"
"To Captain David!"
Everyone cheered. No lengthy speech could compare to this practicality.
On the west side of the bar, the team from the Robbery and Murder Departnt's First Squad sat together.
The deputy captain glanced at David in the crowd with a pout, "What a lucky guy. If I had gone to the Anti-Gang and Narcotics Division back then..."
Little Black said, "Deputy captain, there's no 'if' in this world.
David didn't apply himself; it was Captain Jones who valued him and asked for a transfer."
Luke said with a smile, "Deputy captain, stop overthinking.
You might as well drink a few more glasses instead of getting lost in thought."
The deputy captain nodded, "Definitely need to drink more. David rarely treats."
Luke seed to rember sothing, "David wants to invite us for a al tomorrow, and he wants to confirm the ti."
Little Black laughed, "What to eat? We've helped him a lot; he shouldn't think he can just brush us off."
The deputy captain nodded, seriously saying, "That's right, we need to get a good al out of him."
Luke put down his glass, "Oh, I have one more thing to say.
In a couple of days, I'm taking a leave, probably for about a week, so I'll leave the squad's matters to the deputy captain."
The deputy captain shrugged, "Why are you taking leave again?"
Luke said with a smile, "Because it's almost the Spring Festival, the grandest holiday for us Chinese, and a ti for family reunion.
I want to take a break and spend so quality ti with my family."
The deputy captain surprisingly didn't retort, "Family is the most important.
You go on leave, and I'll handle the squad's duties."
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