Mahong sighed, his expression wasn't good, "No, they're still in Chicago."
Jimmy reached out and patted Mahong on the arm, without saying anything. Mahong, because he had killed so scumbag, underwent a personality change and developed certain addictions. For the sake of his family, he was forced to divorce his wife, and his son went with his mother.
If it weren't for Jimmy, who helped free Mahong from certain people's control and later helped him solve his psychological problems and kick his addiction, his life would have been much worse. Nevertheless, things had already happened, and they never remarried after the divorce. Looking at the current situation, it seems unlikely.
Everyone has their various troubles, but life must go on. It's impossible to stay imrsed in the past. Mahong should be able to move on. Jimmy had seen Mahong bring a woman to their small gatherings before, but later there was no news about them being together.
For a handso middle-aged man like Mahong, finding a woman is not a problem at all. Moreover, the cases he handles now are mostly financial and art-related, involving high-quality elite won. Such a single middle-aged handso man has a strong appeal.
Mahong had to go on duty, and Jimmy didn't delay him much. They separated after a brief chat, but Jimmy stayed in the café for a while longer before deciding to call Ruiz to et up for drinks at a bar that night.
Issues need to be handled at the root. The information obtained from external investigations is really too little, and the most comprehensive information can only co from Ruiz for now.
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Jimmy's bar has beco quite well-known around the office. Given Jimmy's character, nothing shady happens in his bar. Many in the underworld are also aware of this. More often than not, they avoid conducting certain activities there. Even though the bar is sowhat far from the office, many colleagues still choose to have a drink there, as security is of paramount importance to them.
Arriving early at the bar, Jimmy noticed a few familiar faces. He might not be able to na them, but raising a glass and exchanging smiles wasn't a problem. It forced him to change his habits; he couldn't sit at the bar anymore. Grabbing so snacks from Woody's side, he took a bottle of wine and glasses to a small room.
With Woody and Isaac managing the bar, it ran well. Although it couldn't make big money through underhanded ans, it had fewer troubles and life was comfortable. But with one of them being an unmarried older man, another a divorced middle-aged one, combined with the high-quality bartenders and wait staff, it was unavoidable in a bar setting that they attracted so won and a few n.
Isaac, who was quite sharp, noticed this odd situation and even suggested to Jimmy about hosting a "sa-sex day" event at the bar, choosing one or two specific days each week or month for special events to attract more patrons.
This suggestion was, however, vetoed by Jimmy. Operating normally was fine. Though certain labels could attract more custors, it might also alienate so. Being Chinese already posed its own challenges, adding more labels would only complicate things further.
Ruiz arrived pretty early, which surprised Jimmy a bit, "So early, want to grab sothing to eat first?"
Ruiz shook his hand, picking up tongs from the side ice bucket to add so ice cubes to his glass. Pouring whiskey, he said, "No need. Just ate nearby with soone and ca over right after."
Jimmy: "Alright, but the sandwiches at the bar are pretty good."
After taking a sip of the chilled whiskey, Ruiz finally spoke, "Is this about your position?"
Jimmy shrugged, "You ntioned too little on the phone last ti, so I had to et you to confirm. What exactly happened?"
Ruiz: "It's just an accident. There are things you don't need to know, but congratulations are in order. After New Year's, you'll be SSA."
Jimmy was puzzled: "What do you an? Why so sudden? I thought the educational qualifications were holding things up?"
Ruiz tapped his glass on the table: "You got it yourself, didn't you? Did you think the headquarters stint these past two months was just a walk in the park? And this recent case was handled beautifully. Several people contacted us to review your file. Without so incentives, how could it have happened?
But don't be too happy yet, Jimmy. Do you know what your biggest problem is?"
Jimmy paused: "Being Chinese?"
Ruiz: "No, being young. You've done too much; your experience is undeniable, your achievents outstanding. But age is a crucial factor in evaluations... Anyway, let's not dwell on this. Let's drink."
Even after Jimmy took a drink, he continued to ask, "If I beco an SSA, I can't stay with the Homicide Team anymore? Why do I have to change positions?"
Ruiz's face was sowhat awkward. The behind-the-scenes deals were complicated, it wasn't just a simple promotion or position change. But he couldn't tell Jimmy too much about these matters: "It's complicated here, Jimmy. Sotis to gain benefits, you have to make so sacrifices. It's not just about the transfer... You'll need to lay low for a while."
Jimmy was genuinely surprised, he and Ruiz had a life-and-death friendship. They were never this vague with each other, even when it involved the ss with those other problems. Though not everything was said too plainly, they could still understand each other's anings. But this ti, regarding his own position change...
Frowning at Ruiz, Jimmy asked again: "Is soone targeting ?"
Ruiz shook his head: "Not targeting, just an unwritten rule. Jimmy, you're only 31, Chinese, highly capable, with nurous honors. If you continue on a step-by-step path, you might make history in the Manhattan office..."
Jimmy held up his hand to stop Ruiz: "I get it now. I finally understand, this damned bureaucracy."
From Jimmy's current trajectory, it was almost clear he would eventually move into a managent role in a specific field. But on one hand, he's Chinese; on the other, he's only 31. After New Year's, he'd beco SSA, and in another three to five years, his achievents should be enough to continue climbing. It's very likely that within ten years of joining the FBI, he'd beco an Assistant Special Agent in Charge, maybe even sooner. It's impressive, considering it only took him five or six years to go from trainee agent to SSA.
This is the FBI, one of the most conservative federal agencies in the US. Allowing a Chinese not yet 40 to beco a senior manager is problematic, regardless of the perspective. Moreover, this isn't just any agent; he's a super-agent with unparalleled accomplishnts. Based on his current behavior and logic, his sense of morality regarding specific incidents is very distinct. In a nationwide environnt like this, Jimmy could potentially pose a significant threat to so individuals in the future, making any attempts to suppress him almost inevitable.
He wasn't foolish. He realized it as soon as Ruiz ntioned making history; there was no need for further explanation.
Jimmy poured the liquor and ice in his glass down his throat, loudly crunching the ice. Ruiz saw Jimmy's actions and knew there was little point in further discussion. He raised his glass in acknowledgnt, finishing the last bit of his drink, then filled Jimmy's glass: "You've been busy for a long ti. Relax a bit."
Jimmy: "What's the new position?"
Ruiz: "Originally, you were concurrently handling the Support Team. Now it's spun off to stand alone and will also communicate with the SRT."
Jimmy: "What? The Support Team doesn't even have a couple of missions a year?"
Ruiz shrugged, then smiled: "I spent a long ti figuring it out. It won't completely remove you from fieldwork, and you won't have too many cases to handle. It ets all parties' requirents. Plus, if there's detachnts from other offices, I can arrange it for you."
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