Jack, take Maggie around for a tour; the BBQ will be ready soon,"
"Hey, Maggie."
"Maggie."
Val and Luke simultaneously greeted Maggie, then both stood awkwardly aside, not knowing what to say next.
The chubby kid took Maggie on a tour of the house.
Robert secretly gave the chubby kid a thumbs up.
Linda said to her brother and elder son, "Do you suddenly feel a bit superfluous?
Don't worry, you'll get used to it."
Luke and Val exchanged glances.
"Grandpa, let do the grilling."
"Dad, I'll help you with the grilling."
Both exclaid in unison.
"NO, you two stay away from my grill.
What the hell are you up to?" Robert was puzzled, wondering why these lazybones were suddenly so eager to help.
Half an hour later, the party officially started.
Because a new mber had joined, Robert was extrely happy and even opened a bottle of red wine he had been saving for 10 years.
The chubby kid was also very pleased, buzzing around Maggie like an attentive little bee.
Val started to feel a bit awkward, but after downing two bottles of beer, he loosened up, and took the initiative to bring out a guitar to sing a song.
But Linda flatly refused without any rcy.
Maggie was an outgoing girl and easily blended into the family gathering.
Luke was also impressed with her, and they quickly struck up a conversation.
He told her about the chubby kid's embarrassing monts when he was young, which made Maggie laugh out loud.
Now it was the chubby kid's turn to be embarrassed.
"Ding Dong..." Luke's phone rang.
He checked it and saw a ssage from Matthew.
The ssage was about Lawrence Miller's information.
Na, Lawrence Miller
Gender, Male
Date of Birth, March 3, 1963
Phone Number, 626 576 2342
Social Security Number, 623-52-7387
Marital Status, Divorced.
Ex-Wife, Claudia Miller
Daughter, Daisy Miller
...
Marindel Bay Pier.
In the early morning, with a gentle breeze blowing, a clear sky, and pristine blue waters, it was perfect weather for a sea outing.
Luke stood by the shore, gazing into the distance.
Far away, the sea and sky blended seamlessly like a single line.
He adored the ocean; each sight of the vast expanse of water quieted his mind, giving him a sense of being incredibly small. The many perplexing and burdenso matters seed to dissolve into the sea.
"Hey, Luke." A pickup truck stopped nearby, and Jones leaned out to greet him.
Luke glanced at the back of the pickup truck. "Captain Jones, you're here for fishing too?"
Luke "..."
Am I just of this little use?
After waiting for a few minutes, Reid also arrived, accompanied by two other people.
One was a middle-aged white male with a serious look, short hair, sporting a large beard, and a lean figure which added to his stern appearance.
The other was a woman in her forties with light brown, thin curly hair, dressed in a blue casual outfit, radiating a strong presence.
Reid said, "guys, as usual, I've booked a yacht for a sea trip, and we're going Dutch.
First, let's introduce our new captain, the Deputy Chief of the Robbery and Murder Departnt, Luke."
Jones patted him on the shoulder and said in the tone of soone with experience, "Buddy, if there's anything you don't understand, ask ."
"Thanks," Luke replied insincerely.
Reid pointed to the man and said, "This is Percy Beach, the Police Chief of Internal Affairs at the Los Angeles Police Departnt."
Then he pointed at the brown-haired woman, "rcedes Maso, the Supervisor of the Western Division."
Luke smiled, "Chief, Supervisor, it's an honor to et you."
Percy smiled, "Deputy Chief Luke, I've heard a lot about you, and I'm finally eting you in person today."
Luke was surprised; Police Chief Percy was a big shot in Internal Affairs, and the phrase "heard a lot about you" was not an auspicious sign.
"Chief Percy, you've heard of ?"
Percy smiled, "Recently, during your investigation of the school Y shooting, many citizens complained about your revealing attire. If it wasn't for that press conference turning things around, we would've definitely had to talk to you according to protocol."
Luke shrugged, "Thanks for not getting involved."
Percy shook his head, "It had nothing to do with ."
Reid spread his hands, "Okay, ladies and gentlen, our yacht has arrived."
Everyone boarded the yacht, and the three bosses lay on the deck chairs enjoying the sea breeze.
Luke started the boat.
Jones threw him a bottle of chilled beer.
Luke opened the beer and took a sip. "Did you talk to David?"
"Yes," Jones nodded.
"Did he agree?"
"He said he'd think about it, but I believe he will agree."
"Where's that confidence coming from?" Even Luke, David's long-ti partner, wasn't sure what David was thinking. They hadn't communicated since leaving the bar that day.
Jones laughed, "Think about Vincent, the Deputy Chief, then look at you, his partner. If I were David, I'd definitely choose to transfer to another departnt as a deputy chief.
You know, David is quite a bit older than you, and at his age, it's a crossroad. Being promoted to deputy chief offers potential for further advancent.
If he can't make deputy chief, he might end up another Vincent.
This is the best choice for him."
Luke curiously asked, "What did you see in David?"
"Our Narcotics and Organized Cri Division is more dangerous than Robbery and Murder Departnt. We're dealing with gangs and drug traffickers every day; these guys are cruel scum. Only if you are tougher and stronger than them can you suppress them.
So of David's flaws would actually be an advantage in our division, right?"
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